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Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
Pakistan’s bowling made the big difference again yesterday after the tourists struggled with the bat but still recovered to claim a cricket series whitewash against Zimbabwe in the second QMobile Twenty20 match at the Harare Sports Club.

In what was virtually a replica of the first meeting, the hosts were left singing the familiar tune after falling 15 runs short despite having restricted their opponents to a modest score. For the second time in the series, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat.

But the tourists could not get their innings going on a slow batting track.

Interestingly, Zimbabwe were set exactly the same target as in the first match after Pakistan laboured to put on 136-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

They made two changes to their team yesterday, bringing in all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Irfan while the hosts retained the same side that lost the first match by 13 runs on Sunday.

Just like in the first match, Zimbabwe started well and looked like they were going to build the momentum from their excellent performance in the field.

Dav Whatmore’s men had the chance to level the series but the top order failed to find their feet in the face of some good bowling by the Pakistanis.

Mohammad Irfan and Sohail Tanvir had them on the backfoot as they gave away little while left arm spinner Imad Wasim kept the pressure.

Zimbabwe’s chase, which ended on 121-7 in 20 overs, was doomed early on after their key batsmen like Chamu Chibhabha (3), Hamilton Masakadza (9), Craig Ervine (1), unfairly dismissed lbw to a ball that pitched outside leg, and Richmond Mutumbami (3) were dismissed for single digit scores.

It was not a good sight, losing four wickets in the opening six overs with only 24 runs on the board.

Sikandar Raza Butt (36) and Sean Williams, who finished unbeaten on 40, unsuccessfully tried to repair the innings but it was a bit too late and the asking rate was always against them.

The boundaries were difficult to come by for Zimbabwe and the asking rate had skyrocketed to over 10 runs per over halfway through the chase.

The fifth wicket partnership between Raza and Williams helped Zimbabwe rise from 24-4 to 84-5 but the game kept slipping away because of the skyrocketing required run rate.

It could have been worse for Zimbabwe when Imad made a stunning effort on the field but could not hold on to the catch when the hosts were still on 45-4.

Skipper Elton Chigumbura came in at number six with 53 runs required from 23 balls.

Pressure was mounting on Zimbabwe and the skipper gave his men a glimmer of hope with two big sixes off an over by Imran Khan.

Chigumbura could not last long, however, as he was dismissed the next over off the bowling of Irfan who had the best bowling figures for the tourists with 2-25.

Imran Khan also got two wickets while Tanvir and Wasim had one each.

Umar Akmal was the top scorer for the visitors with an unbeaten knock of 38 runs and was named man-of-the-match.

Tinashe Panyangara and youthful all-rounder Luke Jongwe claimed two wickets each.