RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Pakistan stormed to a commanding 69-run win over Zimbabwe in the fourth match of the T20I tri-series, bowling out the visitors for 126 in 19 overs thanks to a sensational hat-trick from spinner Usman Tariq on Sunday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 196 run target, Zimbabwe were rocked early when Tadiwanashe Marumani departed for four in the opening over, undone by Naseem Shah. The pressure mounted quickly as Mohammad Wasim Jr bowled Brian Bennett for a brisk nine off five balls—including two boundaries—leaving the visitors tottering at 14 for 2 inside two overs.
Zimbabwe’s troubles deepened before the end of the powerplay when Faheem Ashraf removed veteran Brendan Taylor for a run-a-ball eight. Captain Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl then tried to stem the tide, adding 34 valuable runs to keep their side afloat.
Their partnership was broken in the ninth over as Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Raza for a lively 23 off 18, featuring two fours and a six, reducing Zimbabwe to 59 for 4.
What followed was a dramatic collapse triggered by Usman Tariq’s dazzling spell. In the 10th over, he first sent back Tony Munyonga for one, then delivered two wickets in two balls—removing Tashinga Musekiwa and Wellington Masakadza, both for golden ducks—to seal a stunning hat-trick. Zimbabwe were left shell-shocked at 60 for 7 in just 9.4 overs.
Nawaz added to the misery by removing Brad Evans for two, before Tariq claimed his fourth wicket, dismissing Tinotenda Maposa for three off 10 balls, leaving Zimbabwe nine down.
Ryan Burl, however, fought valiantly, bringing up his fourth T20I fifty and dragging his side past the 100-run mark in the 17th over. He remained unbeaten on a well-constructed 67 off 49 deliveries, laced with eight fours and two sixes.
Zimbabwe’s innings came to an end when Richard Ngarava was run out, sealing Pakistan’s comprehensive victory.
Usman Tariq finished with outstanding figures of 4-18 from his four overs, while Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf contributed with one wicket each.
Pakistan opted to bat first and made a steady start. Openers Farhan and Saim Ayub added 29 runs in 2.3 overs. Saim attacked early, hitting two sixes in the third over, but fell shortly after for 13 off eight balls to Brad Evans.
Babar joined Farhan and the pair built a strong platform. They rotated the strike well and found regular boundaries, guiding Pakistan to 83/1 at the halfway mark.
Their stand continued to grow, and both batters reached their half-centuries as Pakistan crossed 100 in the 13th over.
The 102-run partnership ended when Sikandar Raza dismissed Farhan for 63 from 41 balls. His innings included three sixes and four fours. Pakistan were 132/2 in 15.2 overs.
Faheem Ashraf was run out for three, but Babar kept the scoreboard moving. He struck seven fours and two sixes in a well-crafted 74 off 52 balls before Raza removed him in the 18th over, leaving Pakistan at 163/4.
Mohammad Nawaz fell for four to Richard Ngarava, but Fakhar Zaman provided late acceleration. The left-hander smashed 21 off nine deliveries, hitting two sixes and a four.
He finished unbeaten as Pakistan ended on 195/5. Salman Ali Agha remained not out on one.
For Zimbabwe, Raza took 2/39 from his four overs. Evans and Ngarava collected one wicket each.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq.
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza.
