Friday 22 May 2015 18:45, UK
Mukhtar Ahmed hit a sensational 83 as international cricket returned to Pakistan with a five-wicket win for the hosts over Zimbabwe in Lahore.
The Twenty20 international was the first game hosted by Pakistan since a terror attack in the same city in 2009, when gunmen attacked buses carrying the Sri Lanka team.
Both teams arrived at the Gaddafi Stadium under heavy guard and security was tight, with supporters facing long queues to get in in temperatures that touched 43 degrees centigrade.
Once play started they were treated to some fine batting, but none better than from 22-year-old Mukhtar, whose second international innings proved to be a match-winning one.
Zimbabwe did their bit in making the game competitive as they made 172-6 in their 20 overs, Elton Chigumbura top scoring with 54 off 35 balls, an innings that included eight fours and a six.
Hamilton Masakadza added 43 at the top of the order while Mohammad Sami marked his return to the Pakistan side, after three years out, with three wickets and Wahab Riaz claimed 2-38.
Pakistan appeared set for an easy victory at one point with Ahmed and fellow opener Ahmed Shehzad scoring at will, bringing the crowd to life with a series of stunning shots.
Shehzad made 55 off 39 balls as part of a fantastic 142-run opening stand which was eventually ended when Sean Williams dismissed him midway through the 15th over.
Two runs later Mukhtar's innings came to an end, and he received a massive Lahore ovation after bludgeoning 12 fours and three sixes in a 45-ball knock - Graeme Cremer finally ended his stay.
Suddenly Pakistan were in panic mode and Cremer struck again to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez for 12 with the home side still 17 runs short of victory.
Tinashe Panyangara removed Shoaib Malik for seven and Umar Akmal made only four before falling to Brian Vitori, but Sarfraz Ahmed (3) and Shahid Afridi (4) saw them over the line with only three balls remaining.
