While chasing a target of 226 to win, Farhat and Hafeez went on to break the previous record of the longest opening partnership by any Pakistani duo of 204 set by former skippers Saeed Anwar and Ramiz Raja againstSri Lanka.
The duo stayed together for the entire 42.1 overs of the chase to script a record ten-wicket win over the hapless Zimbabweans, who had been very close in the series opener on Thursday.
It was a tough day for the host bowlers who totally failed to threaten the Pakistani batsmen and were unable to halt the run flow. The prolific Pakistan all-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez once again led the side from the front scoring third century of his career.
Hafeez played an unbeaten knock of 139 runs off 147 deliveries. His 191-minute stay at the crease saw him pulling the ball through the ropes all across the ground. His 139-run knock was laced with 13 muscular boundaries and a lofty six. Farhat scored 75 runs from 106 deliveries including six fours.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Zimbabwe went off to a very slow start as the hosts were 22 for 1 at the end of the first 10 overs, which included three maidens delivered by Junaid Khan and Sohail Tanvir bowling in tandem.
Chamu Chibhabha was the first one to leave in the fifth over after being caught by Misbah-ul-Haq off Sohail Tanvir for 9.
After Chibhabha’s dismissal, Zimbabwe’s middle-order mainstay, Hamilton Masakadza came to join his opening partner, Vusi Sibanda on the crease, but the well in form No. 3 batsmen looked quite slow at the start as he took 10 balls to open his account with a single to Sohail Tanvir in the seventh over.
Sibanda departed in the 14th over after being caught behind off Aizaz Cheema for a 35-ball 14. Masakadza and Brendan Taylor shared another three-digit stand to steer the side towards a respectable 225-run total.
Skipper, Brendan Taylor continued his good form and notched up his 23rd One Day International half century. Masakadza returned with an 118-ball 68 laced with five boundaries and a six. Wicketkeeper batsman, Tatenda Taibu struck a bright 26 before being bowled out by Sohail Tanvir.
Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya plundered 14 runs off Tanvir’s final over to take the side to 225 for six at the end of their quota of 50 overs.
Sohail Tanvir picked up two wickets while Junaid Khan and Aizaz Cheema shared one wicket each.
Mohammad Hafeez was adjudged the Man of the Match for his startling century..