Usman Tariq’s hat-trick and Babar Azam’s 74 guided Pakistan to a commanding 69-run victory over a valiant Zimbabwe side in the fourth match of the T20 tri-nation series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
With this win, Pakistan have secured a place in the tri-nation series final.
Pakistan’s Innings
Sahibzada Farhan has compiled 63 off 41 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes. Babar Azam contributed 74 from 52 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes, while Fakhar Zaman remained unbeaten on 27 off 10 balls. Pakistan posted 195 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Extras included 10 runs (5 leg byes, 1 no-ball, 4 wides). The wickets fell at 29, 132, 144, 163, and 167.
Zimbabwe’s Innings
Ryan Burl led the fightback with 67 not out from 49 balls, but no other batter made a significant contribution. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 126 in 18.6 overs, falling short by 69 runs.
Extras for Zimbabwe totalled 4 (1 leg bye, 1 no-ball, 2 wides). Pakistan dominated from the start, reaching 50 runs in 5.5 overs and 100 in 12.2 overs. Sahibzada Farhan brought up his half-century off 35 balls, while Babar Azam reached 50 in 42 balls. Pakistan finished their innings at 195/5.
Zimbabwe struggled in response, losing early wickets during the powerplay. Ryan Burl’s resistance helped Zimbabwe reach 100 in 16.2 overs, but Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Tariq, ensured a comfortable victory.
Usman Tariq was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets for 18 runs from 4 overs. Mohammad Nawaz claimed 2 wickets for 21 runs, while Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf took one each. Sikandar Raza also captured 2 wickets for Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe: 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani, 3 Brendan Taylor (wk), 4 Sikandar Raza (capt.), 5 Ryan Burl, 6 Tony Munyonga, 7 Tashinga Musekiwa, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Tinotenda Maposa, 10 Richard Ngarava, 11 Wellington Masakadza
Pakistan: 1. Saim Ayub, 2. Sahibzada Farhan, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Salman Ali Agha, 5. Usman Khan, 6. Fakhar Zaman, 7. Muhammad Nawaz, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Mohammad Wasim, 10. Naseem Shah, 11. Usman Tariq
