Pakistan seal crushing series sweep of Zimbabwe

Openers Fakhar (85) and Iman (110) continued their dominance with an opening stand of 168 in 25 overs, paving the way for the final victory in a comprehensive 5-0 success.

Fakhar became the fastest batsman to pass 1,000 ODI runs, doing so in just 18 innings - three better than a group of five batsman.

Among them was Babar, who later crashed 106 not out from 76 deliveries to lift Pakistan to an imposing 364-4, a total well beyond Zimbabwe's reach.

The damage could have been worse for Zimbabwe had Tendai Chatara (1-79) and Chris Mpofu (1-67) not removed Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali for 18 apiece.

Malik's score did, however, see him become the eighth player from Pakistan to reach 7,000 ODI runs - and the minor stumble was never likely to keep the visitors from another big win, although they were made to toil through a full 50 overs in the field.

Hamilton Masakadza (34) and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (34) combined to help Zimbabwe post their first 50-run opening stand of the series which came to an end when Kamunhukamwe pulled Mohammad Nawaz (2-47) to midwicket.

Another meek collapse looked likely when captain Masakadza had his off stump knocked back by Hasan Ali (2-55) three balls later, but Prince Masvaure (39), in his second match, and Ryan Murray (47) produced a patient 78-run stand to delay the inevitable.