T20I tri-series: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets in their T20I tri-series opener at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, a victory built on tight bowling spells and a composed middle-order stand between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan.

Set a manageable 148 to win, the hosts still had to dig deep as Zimbabwe stretched the contest to the final over, with Pakistan getting across the line only four deliveries before the close.

The chase began steadily, with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub showing caution to put up 27 runs in the opening four overs. But Brad Evans broke through just when Pakistan were settling in, uprooting Farhan for 16.

The Zimbabwe pacer turned the pressure up further in the same over by sending Babar Azam back for a duck off just three balls, suddenly dropping the home side to 27 for 2. Tinotenda Maposa added to Pakistan’s troubles shortly afterward, trapping captain Salman Ali Agha lbw for a single run and reducing the score to 30 for 3, leaving the chase in early disarray.

Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman attempted to rebuild with a cautious 24-run partnership, but their effort was cut short when Graeme Cremer dismissed Saim for 22, ending a 26-ball knock that included a six and a four. Fakhar then took charge of the innings alongside Usman Khan, and the two stitched together a vital 61-run stand to drag Pakistan back into control. Fakhar top-scored with a brisk 44 off 32 balls, hammering two sixes and two fours, before Richard Ngarava removed him in the 16th over.

Usman, however, stayed calm and carried the innings forward with the support of all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz. Their unbeaten partnership for the sixth wicket ensured Pakistan completed the chase without further damage, sealing the win on the second ball of the final over. Usman finished with an assured 37 from 28 deliveries, while Nawaz contributed an efficient 20 off 12, striking two boundaries and a six to bring the target within reach. Evans remained Zimbabwe’s standout bowler, claiming 2 for 26, with Maposa, Ngarava and Cremer taking one wicket each.

Earlier in the evening, Zimbabwe posted 147 for 8 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first, capitalizing on a bright start from openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett. The pair kept Pakistan’s bowlers on the back foot through the initial seven overs. Nawaz eventually halted the surge in the eighth over, removing Marumani for 30, an innings studded with two fours and a six. Bennett then joined Brendan Taylor in a short 19-run stand before Taylor was run out by Babar Azam in the 11th over.

Bennett, who appeared well set, fell soon after when he offered a return catch to Saim Ayub, departing for 49 off 36 deliveries with eight fours to his name. His exit triggered a rapid collapse as Zimbabwe lost wickets in quick succession, undoing the strong foundation laid earlier. Amid the flurry, captain Sikandar Raza held the innings together, producing a valuable unbeaten 34 from 24 balls, striking three boundaries and a six to push his side to a competitive total.

Pakistan’s bowlers played their part, with Nawaz leading the way through figures of 2 for 22, while Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed a wicket each to restrict Zimbabwe after their promising start.