Younis Khan’s 63 off just 51 balls helped steer a rookie Pakistan team that awarded four ODI debuts to a 5-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe in Sheikhupura on Saturday.

Pakistan, replying to Zimbabwe’s 181 all out, made 187-3 with 19 overs remaining to subject the tourists to their heaviest defeat of the series. It was the first time Zimbabwe had failed to post 200 or more and were duly punished by a clinical young Pakistan team.

Younis, the team’s most experienced player in the absence of the rested Mohammed Yousuf, combined in a second-wicket partnership of 97 with debutant Khurram Manzoor, who made 50. Younis clubbed eight boundaries and a six.

Another of Pakistan’s debutants, Abdur Rauf, impressed with 3-45 from 8.4 overs as Zimbabwe struggled to build any substantial partnership. Brendan Taylor top scored with 49. He added 84 with Elton Chigumbura (34) but their team needed them to go on.

Pakistan’s other two newcomers were Rizwan Ahmed and Wahab Riaz. Skipper Shoaib Malik, who needed this kind of morale-boosting series win after his ankle injury in India and series defeats against South Africa and India, again bowled ten overs of off-spin for 2-35, finishing the series having bowled all but one ball of a maximum 50-over allocation.