Pakistan secured a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the T20I Tri-Nation Series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The win marked Zimbabwe’s sixth T20I defeat in Pakistan, leaving them yet to register a victory on Pakistan’s soil.
Chasing a modest target of 148, Pakistan faced stiff resistance from the Zimbabwean bowlers.
The home side reached the target with just four balls remaining, losing five wickets along the way.
Pakistan got off to a steady start as openers Sahibzada Farhan (16) and Saim Ayub added 27 runs in four overs.
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The breakthrough came in the fifth over when Brad Evans removed Farhan and then dismissed Babar Azam for a three-ball duck, leaving Pakistan at 27/2.
The collapse continued as Tinotenda Maposa trapped captain Salman Ali Agha for just one run in the next over, reducing Pakistan to 30/3.
Experienced batter Fakhar Zaman then joined Saim Ayub and the pair added 24 runs for the fourth wicket before Graeme Cremer dismissed Saim, who scored 22 off 26 balls with one four and a six.
Fakhar and Usman Khan then built a vital 61-run partnership, putting Pakistan back in contention.
Fakhar was eventually dismissed by Richard Ngarava in the 16th over after scoring 44 off 32 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours.
Usman stayed unbeaten, guiding Pakistan to victory alongside Mohammad Nawaz, who contributed 20 not out from 12 balls, including a six and two fours.
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Usman finished with 37 runs off 28 deliveries.
For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans was the standout bowler, taking 2/26 in his four overs, while Maposa, Ngarava, and Cremer took one wicket each.
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 147/8 after being put into bat.
Openers Tadiwanashe Marumani (30 off 22) and Brian Bennett (49 off 36) gave Zimbabwe a solid start, but their partnership was broken by Mohammad Nawaz in the eighth over.
Brendan Taylor briefly joined Bennett for a 19-run stand before being run out in the 11th over.
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Zimbabwe then suffered a collapse, losing wickets quickly, but Sikandar Raza held his ground and remained unbeaten on 34 off 24 balls, hitting three fours and a six.
Nawaz was Pakistan’s most effective bowler with 2/22, supported by Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who took one wicket each.
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Pakistan secures victory
Pakistan reached 151 for 5 in 19.2 overs, securing a five wicket win over Zimbabwe. Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz’s late partnership proved decisive.
9:28 pm -
Pakistan inch closer to victory
Pakistan reached 135 for 5 in 18.3 overs, needing just 13 runs from 9 balls. Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are steering the chase confidently.
9:22 pm -
Fakhar and Usman steady Pakistan’s chase
Pakistan reached 106 for 4 after 15 overs, thanks to a crucial stand between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan. The pair added fluency to the chase, leaving 42 needed from the final 30 balls.
9:00 pm -
Saim Ayub falls
Graeme Cremer strikes on his comeback, removing Saim Ayub as Pakistan slip further behind in their chase with four wickets down.
8:40 pm -
Pakistan under pressure at 52-3
Saim Ayub holds one end but regular wickets have slowed Pakistan, hosts needing 96 off 66 with the rate climbing.
8:30 pm -
Pakistan struggle early in chase at 29 for 2
Early wickets from Brad Evans have rocked Pakistan’s reply, leaving Saim Ayub and Salman Agha with a steep task as the required rate climbs.
8:17 pm -
Pakistan restrict Zimbabwe to 147
Pakistan bowlers struck at regular intervals to restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total of 147. Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets, while Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub picked up one each.
7:37 pm -
Pakistan bowlers keep Zimbabwe in check
Pakistan bowlers made a remarkable comeback as Zimbabwe remain 125 for 7 after 17.3 overs. Mohammad Nawaz picks up 2 wickets for 22 runs.
7:24 pm -
Bennett departs
Bennett misses his fifty as Saim Ayub claims a simple catch, third wicket down for Zimbabwe.
7:05 pm -
Taylor departs
akistan’s fielding brilliance with Babar’s throw and Usman behind the stumps. Runs Taylor out for 14.
7:00 pm -
Zimbabwe reach 88-1 after 10 overs
Zimbabwe reach 88-1 after 10 overs, with Brian Bennett unbeaten on 46, providing a solid start against Pakistan.
6:50 pm -
Nawaz picks up the wicket
Shaheen Afridi’s running catch sends Marumani back. Nawaz picks up the wicket in his first over.
6:37 pm -
Zimbabwe start strong in powerplay
Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on a 59-run opening partnership in the powerplay.
6:30 pm -
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s perfect seam
Inches away from destruction! Shaheen Shah Afridi’s perfect seam delivery baffles Bennett.
6:17 pm -
National Anthem
Pakistan cricket team standing tall for the national anthem.
6:00 pm -
Playing XI
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan (wk), Salman Agha (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brad Evans, Sikandar Raza (c), Brendan Taylor (wk), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Graeme Cremer, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava
5:35 pm -
Toss Update
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. Salman Agha said that the pitch is slower than usual, and Pakistan aims to maintain their winning momentum.
5:30 pm -
Rashid Latif predicts his Pakistan XI
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif predicts his Pakistan XI against Zimbabwe, leaving out Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf.
5:00 pm -
Abdul Samad ruled out
Abdul Samad ruled out of the tri-series due to injury. Hassan Nawaz will now join the squad on 19 November for the Tri-Series.
4:40 pm -
Pakistan T20 squad training
Pakistan T20 squad—including Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq, and Abdul Samad—train hard in Rawalpindi ahead of tomorrow’s Tri-Series match against Zimbabwe.
10:00 pm -
Salman Ali Agha on Hasan Nawaz
Salman Ali Agha expressed full confidence that Hasan Nawaz, the talented young cricketer, will soon make a comeback to the Pakistan cricket team and have a strong impact.
9:00 pm -
Sikandar Raza expresses confidence
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza expresses confidence, stating that a win against Pakistan tomorrow wouldn’t be an upset in the Tri-Series match.
8:30 pm -
Asalanka ruled out of tri-series
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka has been ruled out of the tri-series due to illness.
8:20 pm -
Dasun Shanaka praised Pakistan
Sri Lanka T20I captain Dasun Shanaka praised Pakistan, saying they are peaking at the right time and building a strong team for the T20 World Cup.
8:10 pm -
Salman Agha on mind during the Asia Cup
Salman Ali Agha said he will continue his good form and admitted that he was not in the right frame of mind during the Asia Cup.
8:00 pm -
Trophy Unveiled
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, and Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka pose with the Tri-Series trophy ahead of the tournament opener.
7:00 pm -
Head to Head in T20Is
Pakistan and Zimbabwe have met in 21 T20Is, with Pakistan winning 18 and Zimbabwe 3.
3:30 pm -
Welcome to live coverage
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, the first T20I of the tri-nation series.
After clean sweeping the ODI series against Sri Lanka 3-0, Pakistan are all set to begin their tri-series campaign against Zimbabwe.
3:18 pm
