Pakistan women's national cricket team completed a clean sweep of the ODI series against Zimbabwe with a commanding nine-wicket victory in the third and final match at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Saturday.
The series win gave Pakistan a 3-0 triumph in the Women’s ODI series and earned the team six valuable points in the ICC Women’s Championship standings.
Openers Gull Feroza and Sadaf Shamas starred once again, setting a new world record for the highest opening partnership aggregate in a bilateral women’s ODI series.
The pair accumulated 571 runs together across three consecutive matches, surpassing the previous Indian record. Their partnerships included 162 runs in the first ODI, 189 in the second, and 220 in the third.
Batting first after winning the toss, Zimbabwe posted 222 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.
Beloved Biza top-scored with 73, while Kelis made 51, captain Nomvelo Sibanda added 35, and Adelle contributed 23.
For Pakistan, Tasmia Arbab claimed three wickets, while Syeda Aroob Shah and Ayesha Zafar picked up two wickets each.
Momina Riasat took one wicket.
Pakistan chased down the target comfortably in just 31.5 overs, losing only one wicket.
Gull Feroza continued her outstanding form with an unbeaten 106 off 92 balls, smashing 16 boundaries and registering her second consecutive century of the series.
She also set a new Pakistan record for the fastest century in women’s ODIs, reaching the milestone in 83 balls.
Sadaf Shamas narrowly missed out on a century after scoring 90 off 98 balls, including 13 fours.
Their 220-run opening stand laid the foundation for Pakistan’s emphatic victory before Sadaf was dismissed in the 32nd over.
Muneeba Ali remained unbeaten on four runs and also captained the side in the absence of regular skipper Fatima Sana, who was rested along with Sidra Amin.
Natalia Pervaiz was also included in the playing XI.
Gull Feroza was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series for her remarkable batting performances throughout the series.
Following the whitewash, Pakistan moved to second place in the ICC Women’s ODI Championship rankings.
Team officials later dedicated the series victory to Pakistan’s armed forces.