HARARE: Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 24 runs in third and final Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club to clinch series 2-1.
Pakistan win the third #ZIMvPAK T20I by 24 runs and the series 2-1
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 25, 2021
Scorecard: https://t.co/GpW8FuH7M3
#HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/R17Kieb8wy
Playing first set a 164-run target for the hosts. Mohammad Rizwan struck 91 runs off 60 balls as Pakistan sped to 165-3 in 20 overs against Zimbabwe. The opening batsman scored three sixes and five fours as the tourists exceeded the expectations of captain Babar Azam, who believed it would be a challenge to surpass 140 on a bowler-friendly pitch.
Rizwan has had mixed fortunes in the series, posting an unbeaten 82 in the first match but only 13 in the second.
Player of the match @RealHa55an 👏#ZIMvPAK #HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/421FbL5Fqz
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 25, 2021
After the loss of recalled Sharjeel Khan for 18 off the last ball of the fourth over, Rizwan and Azam put on 126 runs for the second wicket before the captain was out for 52 in the third ball of the final over.
Azam faced 46 balls in 64 minutes and his total included five fours as Pakistan chase a second T20 series victory on the tour having beaten South Africa 3-1.
Player of the series @iMRizwanPak 👏#ZIMvPAK #HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/JEk04vXBk4
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 25, 2021
Medium pacer Luke Jongwe, the star of a shock 19-run Zimbabwe victory in the second match, was once again the most impressive bowler, taking the three wickets while conceding 37 runs in four overs.
The T20 series will be followed by two Tests, also in Harare, beginning on April 29 and May 7.
Captain Babar Azam’s decision was influenced by the fact that the team batting first successfully defended their total in the previous two matches.
Azam and rival captain Brendan Taylor agreed that the pitch was bowler friendly and it would be a challenge to surpass 140 runs.
WINNERS 💚#ZIMvPAK #HarHaalMainCricket #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/l1MEa5siO8
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 25, 2021
Pakistan made three changes to the team that suffered a shock 19-run loss two days ago with Sharjeel Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Hasan Ali replacing Asif Ali, Danish Aziz and Arshad Iqbal.
Zimbabwe dropped Tinashe Kumanhukamwe even though he top scored with 34 in the second international. Sean Williams took his place.
Teams
Zimbabwe: Wesley Madhevere, Tarisai Musakanda, Sean Williams, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (capt), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Usman Qadir
