Azhar leads Pakistan
Azhar Ali hit a solid hundred to help Pakistan win their first one-day series in 17 months with a thumping six-wicket win in the second day-night international against Zimbabwe in Lahore on Friday.
Ali scored a 104-ball 102 for his second one-day century to help Pakistan chase down a target of 269 in 47.2 overs at Gaddafi Stadium for a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
For Zimbabwe Pakistan-born Sikander Raza smashed an 84-ball 100 not out with eight fours and three sixes while Chamu Chibhabha's career-best 99 had 11 fours and a six.
Pakistan won the first match by 41 runs in Lahore. The third and final match will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
The one-day win followed Pakistan's 2-0 win in the preceding Twenty20 matches in the series which marked the return of international cricket in the country after a six-year gap.
Ali hit eight boundaries in his 104-ball knock and improved on his best score of 101 -- made against Bangladesh in Dhaka last month -- before falling with 69 needed to win.
Ali set the victory tone by adding 46 for the first wicket with Sarfraz Ahmed (22), 85 for the third wicket with Asad Shafiq (39) and 56 for the next with Sohail.
Pakistan's last one-day series win was against Sri Lanka in United Arab Emirates in December 2013.
SCORES IN BRIEF
ZIMBABWE: 268 for 7 in 50 overs (Chibhabha 99, Raza 100 not out; Riaz 2-55, Yasir 2-40)
PAKISTAN: 269 for 4 in 47.2 overs (Azhar 102, Sohail 52 not out; Cremer 2-52)
Result: Pakistan won by six wickets
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