Record-equalling Afridi rescues Pakistan

Shahid Afridi equalled Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya's record of most sixes in a one-day career to lift Pakistan to 272-9 in the third day-night international against Zimbabwe here.

Afridi smashed six sixes and two fours in his swashbuckling 52-ball 85 to help Pakistan recover from a precarious 78-5 after the home team won the toss and opted to bat at Multan Stadium.

With his sixth hit over the boundary off spinner Keith Dabengwa, Afridi equalled Jayasuriya's 245 sixes hit in 403 matches. This is Afridi's 252nd match.

Before Afridi came into his own, Tawanda Mupariwa had derailed Pakistan's batting with some accurate fast bowling.

The 22-year-old Mupariwa dismissed Younis Khan (10), Nasir Jamshed (32), Mohammad Yousuf (five) and Afridi to finish with a career-best 4-46, surpassing his previous best of 4-61 against Bangladesh two years ago.

Afridi put on 116 off just 90 balls with Misbah-ul Haq (44) for the sixth wicket to lead Pakistan's recovery before he holed out in the 39th over.

Openers Salman Butt (23) and Jamshed put on a brisk 47 before the slide started.

Butt was smartly held at point by Brendon Taylor off Elton Chigumbura before Mupariwa hit his purple patch.

Drafted in after Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya was ruled out with an ankle injury and Stuart Matsikenyeri was dropped, Mupariwa had Younis out leg-before with his first delivery of the match.

With his first delivery of the next over, Mupariwa dismissed Jamshed, caught by Chamu Chibhabha at mid-wicket to leave Pakistan at 70-3. Jamshed hit three boundaries and a six off 49 deliveries.

Captain Shoaib Malik was run out for three, while Mohammad Yousuf made a laborious five off 26 balls before his innings ended when the impressive Mupariwa held a sharp return catch off his own bowling.

Kamran Akmal (28) and debutant Kamran Hussain (28 not out) added a further 40 for the eighth wicket.

Zimbabwe trail 0-2 in the five-match series.