Middle-order batsman Kamran Ghulam's maiden one-day international century helped Pakistan outplay Zimbabwe by 99 runs and clinch the series 2-1 on Thursday.
Ghulam, who rose to stardom with a dazzling hundred in his debut Test against England at Multan last month, scored a fluent 103 off 99 balls on Thursday in a strong Pakistan total of 303-6.
In reply, Zimbabwe capitulated for 204 in 40.1 overs as Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan used seven bowlers.
A second successive ODI series win for Rizwan followed a historic 2-1 result against Australia, Pakistan's first in Australia since 2002.
In the absence of rested fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, Pakistan's second-string pace attack did fairly well in Zimbabwe as the visitor prepares for next year's Champions Trophy at home.
Fast bowler Aamer Jamal (2-19), who made his ODI debut in the series, barraged Zimbabwe with short deliveries and claimed Craig Ervine (51), who dragged onto his stumps shortly after Tayyab Tahir dropped a sitter off the top-scoring Zimbabwe skipper at midwicket.
Jamal also picked up the key wicket of Sikandar Raza (16), who pulled the pacer to deep square leg to give Abdullah Shafique an easy catch.
Brian Bennett counterattacked with two sixes and four boundaries in 37 off 27 balls, but the Zimbabwe tail folded meekly. Bennett scooped an easy catch to short fine leg against leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed (2-45).
Zimbabwe shocked Pakistan with an 80-run win in the first ODI, but the visitor bounced back with a thumping 10-wicket victory on the back of Saim Ayub's scintillating 113 off 62 balls.
Ayub continued from where he left off on Tuesday. The left-hander smashed three fours and a six in his 31-run knock. He couldn't clear the midwicket boundary and was caught by Clive Madande.
Ghulam laid the foundation for a big total by combining for 54 with Abdullah Shafique (50) and 89 with Rizwan, who scored 37.
Ghulam used his feet well against the spinners and reached his century when he pulled Sikandar Raza through midwicket for his 10th boundary. Ghulam lasted for three more deliveries before he was deceived by a slower delivery from fast bowler Richard Ngarava and holed out at deep cover in the 45th over.
Pakistan profited from wayward bowling at the death as Tayyab Tahir hit 29 off 16 balls, and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha made 30 off 26. Pakistan scored 69 off the last five overs, and Faraz Akram conceded 23 in one over.
The teams begin a three-match Twenty20 series on Sunday.
Fakhar likely to return for SA ODIs
Pak squad to be named after Zim ODI series
Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman, alongside senior players, is likely to return to Pakistan's squad for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa.
The green shirts will tour South Africa in December for a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series and a two-match Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.
According to reports, the consultation process regarding Pakistan's squad has entered the decisive phase, with the official announcement is likely by the conclusion of the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe or after the first T20I, scheduled on December 1.
It is believed that the team management will continue to test the bench strength by giving opportunities to youngsters, most likely in the T20I series.
As a result, senior batters and bowlers may be rested for the shortest format series.
However, for ODIs, the touring side are likely to go with full strength with key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman likely to return.
Unlike other senior players, Fakhar is being considered for both white-ball series, who was termed the team's necessity, keeping ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 in mind, sources added.
Meanwhile, left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq, who has been away from the national team since December 2023, is being considered for the red-ball series.
Furthermore, the planning is underway to hold an exclusive camp for Test players in South Africa.
For the unversed, a seven to 10 days long training camp is being considered to acclimatize the Test players to the playing conditions in South Africa.
The training camp would be exclusive to the Test players as the all-format cricketers would have become accustomed to the conditions by featuring in the white-ball series, which is scheduled to conclude just three days before the red-ball assignment.
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