Pakistan edge past spirited Zimbabwe

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan were forced to dig deep before scraping past a spirited Zimbabwe side in a tense finish as the T20I Tri-Series sprang to life with an unexpectedly gripping opener at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing 148, Pakistan stumbled to 54 for 4, leaving the hosts in an uneasy position. Babar Azam (0) and Salman Ali Agha (1) fell cheaply, while Saim Ayub (22) and Sahibzada Farhan (16) failed to convert starts into big scores, giving Zimbabwe a real sniff of an upset.

The recovery came through a crucial 61-run fifth-wicket stand between Fakhar Zaman (44) and Usman Khan, whose calm, unbeaten 37 anchored Pakistan through the middle overs. But it was Mohammad Nawaz, later adjudged Man of the Match, who applied the finishing touches in style, smashing a decisive 20 off just 12 balls to seal the win with four balls to spare, after Zimbabwe’s bowlers had dragged the contest deep with disciplined lines and clever variations.

Earlier, Zimbabwe produced a fiery start with the bat, racing to 91 in 11 overs before an alarming collapse saw them lose seven wickets for just 37 runs. The opening onslaught featured an explosive 72-run stand in seven overs between Brian Bennett (49) and Tandiwanashe Marumani (30), who punished Pakistan’s wayward bowling with a flurry of boundaries. Bennett cracked eight fours in his 36-ball knock, while Marumani added a six and three fours in 22 deliveries.

Once the openers departed, Pakistan clawed back with tighter lines and better discipline. Mohammad Nawaz (2-22) once again proved invaluable through the middle overs, while Salman Mirza (1-21) and Abrar Ahmad (1-28) kept Zimbabwe in check. Pakistan’s senior pacers, however, had a subdued outing, Shaheen Afridi (1-34) looked short of rhythm, and Faheem Ashraf, brought on for a solitary over, conceded 11 runs.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza held the innings together with a resilient 34 not out off 24, ensuring his side posted a competitive total and stayed relevant in the final overs.

Pakistan, though victorious, were far from convincing, benefiting from Zimbabwe’s dropped catches and sloppy fielding at crucial stages. The narrow win, however, has set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested tri-series.

Score: Zimbabwe 147 for 8 in 20 overs (Brian Bennet 49, Sikandar Raza 34 not out, Tadiwanshe Marumani 30, Mohammad Nawaz 2-22, Salman Mirza 1-21, Abrar Ahmad 1-28)

Pakistan 151 for 5 in 19.2 overs (Fakhar Zaman 44, Usman Khan 37 not out, Saim Ayub 22, Mohammad Nawaz 20 not out, Brad Evans 2-26, Graeme Cremer 1-27)

Result: Pakistan won by five wickets with four balls to spare.

Man of the Match: Mohammad Nawaz