KEY POINTS
- Fakhar Zaman’s 45 and Usman Khan’s unbeaten 37 anchored a tense chase.
- Mohammad Nawaz starred with both bat (20*) and ball (2/22) to guide Pakistan to victory.
- Wickets of Babar Azam and captain Salman Agha tested Pakistan, but middle-order resilience sealed the win.
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan held their nerve to chase down Zimbabwe’s total of 148, winning the opening T20I of the tri-series by 5 wickets with 4 balls to spare at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
After restricting Zimbabwe to 147, thanks to disciplined bowling from Mohammad Nawaz (2/22) and key contributions from Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, and Salman Mirza, Pakistan’s batters faced a challenging chase.
Sahibzada Farhan (16) and Saim Ayub (22) gave the innings a steady start, but early setbacks saw Babar Azam (0) and captain Salman Agha (1) fall cheaply.
Fakhar Zaman rose to the occasion with a match-turning 45 off 32 balls, supported by an unbeaten 37 from Usman Khan and 20 not out from Mohammad Nawaz, steering Pakistan past the finish line.
The chase concluded in the 19.2nd over, highlighting Pakistan’s resilience under pressure and extending their dominant record against Zimbabwe in T20Is.
Key Performers
Fakhar Zaman: 45 off 32, including 2 sixes.
Usman Khan: 37* off 28, finishing the match calmly.
Mohammad Nawaz: 2/22 with the ball, 20* with the bat.
Bowling Highlights: Brad Evans (2/26), Mohammad Nawaz (2/22), and disciplined fielding ensured Zimbabwe stayed under 150.
Zimbabwe will take on Sri Lanka in the second match of the tri-series T20I on Thursday, November 20, at the same venue.
