Ayub smashes maiden ODI hundred in Pakistan’s thumping 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe – Saim Ayub smashed a maiden ODI hundred off 53 balls as Pakistan romped to a 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second one-day international on Tuesday.

Ayub, the left-handed opening batsman, hit 17 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 113 off 62 balls, propelling Pakistan to 148-0 in 18.2 overs. It was the third fastest century for Pakistan in ODIs.

Pakistan leveled the three-match series and overturned their stunning 80-run loss on the DLS method in the rain-affected first match on Sunday.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed had earlier claimed 4-33 in his debut ODI and off-spinner Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 3-26 to dismiss Zimbabwe for 145 in 32.3 overs after the home side won the toss and elected to bat .

“The way the guys started with the ball, they performed very well and gave us the foundation,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan said. “After that, Saim Ayub’s innings was outstanding.”

Dion Myers showed flashes of brilliance in his 30-ball knock of 33 with six fours, but the rest of the Zimbabwe players struggled against both spinners on a wicket conducive to slow bowlers.

Abrar, bowling alongside new ball bowler Aamer Jamal, struck in his second over when he clean bowled Joylord Gumbie with a sharp turn. Gumbie had earlier been involved in the second consecutive run-out of the series when Tadiwanashe Marumani missed his crease while going for a tight single.

The Zimbabweans could not measure Salman’s off-spin with Myers dismissed lbw on the back foot and captain Craig Ervine smartly caught by wicketkeeper Rizwan as the batsman tried to cut the off-spinner.

Sikandar Raza smashed two sixes in his short knock of 17 before getting a hole at mid-on as Zimbabwe slumped to 5-97. Sean Williams tried to rebuild the innings, but his dismissal saw Zimbabwe lose their last five wickets for 24 runs, with Abrar quickly drying up the tail.

Williams could read the length of Ayub’s off-spin and was out with a plumb before the wicket as he went for an extravagant reverse sweep that opened the tail.

“We didn’t apply ourselves long enough and didn’t build any significant partnerships,” Ervine said. “Guys have to take a hard look at themselves, including myself, and be a bit hard on each other. In hindsight we could have bowled first, now we have to regroup and put in a good performance on Thursday.”

Ayub sped up the run chase with some exquisite drives on both sides of the wicket and brought up his half-century off 32 balls with his signature pulled shot over fine leg for a six to Trevor Gwandu.

Ayub’s opening partner Abdullah Shafique escaped an earlier dropped catch by Blessing Muzarabani before seeing his partner smash boundaries at will. Ayub reached his century in 53 balls when he hit Brandon Mavuta for a boundary over midwicket as the leg-spinner conceded 47 runs after his four wicketless overs.

Flamboyant former international batsman Shahid Afridi still holds the record for fastest ODI hundred for Pakistan. He made 102 off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996 and then scored 102 off 45 balls against India in Kanpur in 2005.

The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Thursday before the teams meet in a three-match T20 series.

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