RAWALPINDI: Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 5 wickets, in the tri-serie The victory was built on disciplined bowling performances and a resilient partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan.
Chasing a target of 148 runs, Pakistan faced stiff resistance from Zimbabwe’s bowlers. They managed to reach the target with four balls remaining and five wickets down.Pakistan’s innings started steadily, with Sahibzada Farhan (16) and Saim Ayub cautiously adding 27 runs in four overs. However, Brad Evans broke through in the fifth over, dismissing Farhan. Evans then struck again, removing Pakistan captain Babar Azam for a duck, leaving Pakistan at 27/2 in 4.4 overs.
Next, Salman Ali Agha was trapped lbw by Tinotenda Maposa, reducing Pakistan to 30/3. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman then stabilized the innings, adding 24 runs for the fourth wicket before Saim was dismissed for 22 off 26 balls by Graeme Cremer.Fakhar then formed a crucial partnership with Usman Khan, contributing 61 runs to bring Pakistan back into contention. Fakhar scored 44 off 32 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours before being dismissed by Richard Ngarava in the 16th over.Usman Khan remained unbeaten on 37 off 28 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz supported him with an undefeated 20 off 12 balls, guiding Pakistan to victory in the final over.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially Evans with 2 wickets for 26 runs, kept Zimbabwe in the game. Maposa, Ngarava, and Cremer each claimed one wicket.
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 147/8 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by openers Tadiwanashe Marumani (30) and Brian Bennett (49), who built a strong platform. Nawaz broke their partnership in the eighth over, dismissing Marumani. Bennett’s dismissal, caught and bowled by Saim Ayub, triggered a collapse as Zimbabwe lost five wickets in quick succession.
Skipper Sikandar Raza fought hard, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 24 balls, but Zimbabwe couldn’t recover fully. Nawaz was the most successful Pakistani bowler, claiming two wickets for 22 runs, while Abrar Ahmed, Saim, Salman Mirza, and Shaheen Shah Afridi each took one wicket.Pakistan edged out Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening match of the T20I tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The victory was built on disciplined bowling performances and a resilient partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan.Chasing a target of 148 runs, Pakistan faced stiff resistance from Zimbabwe’s bowlers. They managed to reach the target with four balls remaining and five wickets down.
Pakistan’s innings started steadily, with Sahibzada Farhan (16) and Saim Ayub cautiously adding 27 runs in four overs. However, Brad Evans broke through in the fifth over, dismissing Farhan. Evans then struck again, removing Pakistan captain Babar Azam for a duck, leaving Pakistan at 27/2 in 4.4 overs.
Next, Salman Ali Agha was trapped lbw by Tinotenda Maposa, reducing Pakistan to 30/3. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman then stabilized the innings, adding 24 runs for the fourth wicket before Saim was dismissed for 22 off 26 balls by Graeme Cremer.Fakhar then formed a crucial partnership with Usman Khan, contributing 61 runs to bring Pakistan back into contention. Fakhar scored 44 off 32 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours before being dismissed by Richard Ngarava in the 16th over.Usman Khan remained unbeaten on 37 off 28 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz supported him with an undefeated 20 off 12 balls, guiding Pak stan to victory in the final over.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially Evans with 2 wickets for 26 runs, kept Zimbabwe in the game. Maposa, Ngarava, and Cremer each claimed one wicket.
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 147/8 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by openers Tadiwanashe Marumani (30) and Brian Bennett (49), who built a strong platform. Nawaz broke their partnership in the eighth over, dismissing Marumani. Bennett’s dismissal, caught and bowled by Saim Ayub, triggered a collapse as Zimbabwe lost five wickets in quick succession.Skipper Sikandar Raza fought hard, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 24 balls, but Zimbabwe couldn’t recover fully. Nawaz was the most successful Pakistani bowler, claiming two wickets for 22 runs, while Abrar Ahmed, Saim, Salman Mirza, and Shaheen Shah Afridi each took one wick
