Pakistan beat Zimbabwe to clinch series

LAHORE, May 24 

Pakistan pulled off a sensationl last over win by two wickets in the second Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe in Lahore on Sunday to take the two-match series 2-0.

With 12 needed off the last over No. 10 Bilawal Bhatti hit a six and four besides taking a double to help Pakistan overhaul a stiff 176-run target in 19.4 overs.

Opener Mukhtar Ahmed hit his second consecutive fifty during his 40-ball 62.

Zimbabwe were lifted to 175-3 by Sean Williams who hit a rapid 32-ball 58 not out with seven boundaries and a six and opener Vusi Sibanda made 46-ball 49 after winning the toss.

Shoaib Malik had the best figures of 1/23 in four overs while Shahid Afridi and Mohammed Sami also got a wicket apiece. Pakistan won the first Twenty20 by five wickets. The Twenty20s will be followed by three ODIs on May 26, 29 and 31.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe: 175 for 3 (Williams 58*, Sibanda 49) lost to Pakistan: 176 for 8 (Mukhtar 62, Akmal 30, Mpofu 2-25) by  by two wickets.

Imran drops in at Gaddafi Stadium after 19 years 

Former Pakistan captain turned politician Imran Khan showed up at the Gaddaffi stadium for the first time in 19 years to watch the second T20I between Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Accompanied by his wife Reham Khan and members of his Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, Imran was given a warm welcome by the PCB officials.

“It is great to see international cricket back in Pakistan after so many years,” Imran told the media. “I last watched the 1996 World Cup final here and now I am returning for this match as it is a big occasion for Pakistan cricket," he said. Interestingly, Imran, who led Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup, has also visited Gaddafi stadium in 2004 when India were touring Pakistan but he specifically went to the national academy to work with fast bowler Muhammad Sami. As fate would have it Sami played on Sunday before another full house. — Agencies