Cricket: Pakistan crush Zimbabwe by innings and 147 runs to sweep Test series

Dubai: Pakistan completed formalities on Monday, crushing Zimbabwe by an innings and 147 runs on Day 4 of the second Test to make a clean sweep of the two-Test series at the Harare Sports Club.

Zimbabwe were bundled out for 231 on Monday, adding only 11 runs to the overnight score of 220 for 9.

Pakistan had defeated the host by an innings and 116 runs in the first Test.

This is Pakistan’s second series clean sweep on the trot after they had defeated South Africa in a two-Test series at home in January-February.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi snared the last wicket - Luke Jongwa (37) - on the last ball of the fifth over of the day.

The tall fast bowler recorded his career’s second five-wicket haul (5 for 52), which is also his best figures in a Test innings.

This was also the seventh instance of two Pakistan bowlers sharing 10 wickets equally. Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali took the other five.

Pakistan opener Abid Ali was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his unbeaten 215, which propelled the visitors to a massive 510 for eight declared. The right-handed batsman’s score is the best by a Pakistani player at Harare.

Pace bowler Hasan Ali, who has enjoyed a great comeback to international cricket since his return in January, was named ‘Player of the Series’. He took 14 wickets in the two Tests at a stunning 8.92 runs per dismissal.