By Asif Naveed
RAWALPINDI (MNN); A disciplined bowling show and a vital fifth-wicket partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan helped Pakistan seal a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the T20 tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target of 148, Pakistan were pushed hard by Zimbabwe’s bowlers and crossed the finish line with four balls remaining. The hosts stumbled early after a cautious 27-run start from Sahibzada Farhan (16) and Saim Ayub, before Brad Evans removed Farhan and then dismissed Babar Azam for a three-ball duck, leaving Pakistan at 27 for 2.
Zimbabwe tightened the grip when Tinotenda Maposa trapped captain Salman Ali Agha lbw for one, reducing Pakistan to 30 for 3. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman added a steady 24-run stand but Graeme Cremer ended the opener’s 26-ball 22.
Fakhar then partnered with Usman Khan to rebuild the innings with a crucial 61-run stand. Fakhar top-scored with 44 off 32 balls before falling to Richard Ngarava in the 16th over. Usman, unbeaten on 37 from 28 balls, and Mohammad Nawaz (20 not out off 12), guided Pakistan home in the final over.
Evans led Zimbabwe’s bowling with 2 for 26, while Maposa, Ngarava and Cremer picked up a wicket each.
Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 147 for 8 after a strong opening stand. Tadiwanashe Marumani (30 off 22) and Brian Bennett (49 off 36) dominated the early overs, adding pressure on Pakistan’s attack. Nawaz broke the partnership in the eighth over. Brendan Taylor’s run out for 14 and Bennett’s soft dismissal to Saim Ayub triggered a collapse, with Zimbabwe losing wickets in quick succession.
Captain Sikandar Raza held the innings together with an unbeaten 34 off 24 balls, hitting three fours and a six. Nawaz impressed with 2 for 22, while Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed one wicket each.
