Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqim scored brilliant centuries as Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Queen’s Sports Club on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 164 runs, Zimbabwe’s batting unit collapsed for 108 runs in 15.3 overs despite a blistering run from skipper Sikandar Raza and opener Tadiwanashe Marumani.
The home side made a shaky start to the chase as they lost two wickets inside three overs with just 18 runs on the board.
But, a quick knock from Marumani kept Zimbabwe on track until his agonizing knock out in the ninth over. He scored 33 runs off just 20 balls with the help of four fours and a six.
His dismissal opened the floodgates as the home side were bowled out for 108 from 77/2, despite Raza’s brilliant innings of 39 to seal the collapse.
For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Sufian Moqim took three wickets each, Haris Rauf took two wickets and Jahandad Khan took one wicket.
Opting to bat first, the men in green got off to an unlucky start to their innings when they lost young opener Umeer Bin Yousaf to Richard Nagerwa in the third over with two fours off 13 balls. He got out by scoring 16 runs. A six
Out to bat at number three, Usman Khan took the reins of Pakistan’s batting campaign.
He was also involved in two crucial partnerships with Saeem Ayub (24) and skipper Salman Ali Agha before finally collapsing for 91 in the 13th over.
The right-handed batsman was the joint top scorer for Pakistan with 39 off 30 balls, including two fours and as many sixes.
After his dismissal, Sikandar Raza rescued Agha, who played a brilliant innings of 13 runs off 19 balls, taking Pakistan to 100/4 in 14.2 overs.
After the drop, Tayyab and Mohammad Irfan Khan put on an unbeaten 65-run partnership to push their team’s total past 160 runs.
Tayyab hit five fours, including a six, on his way to an unbeaten 35 off 29 balls, while Irfan scored 27 not out off 15 balls.
Earlier, the Man in Green won the toss and elected to bat first against the hosts.
On Thursday, the Men in Green beat Zimbabwe by 99 runs in the third ODI to win the series 2-1.
Pakistan and Zimbabwe enter the three-match series with contrasting momentum.
The home side are unbeaten in their last five appearances in the format, part of their best run in the recently held ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifiers.
Meanwhile, the Green Shirts are reeling from a 3-0 sweep against Australia, their first series since a disappointing campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which saw them exit the tournament for the first time out of the group stage. Marked to be.
PLAYING XIs
Pakistan: Saeem Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Umeer Bin Yousaf, Salman Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jehandad Khan, Sufian Moqim, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ryan Burrell, Trevor Gwando, Clive Mudande, Todanashe Marumani (wk), Tsinga Musiciwa, Richard Ngarwa, Devon Myers, Alexander Raza (c), Wellington Masakdza.
Head to head
Pakistan and Zimbabwe have met 18 times in T20Is and the former boasts a dominant record with 16 victories, compared to the opposition’s two, including a famous one-run victory during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. was included.
Match 18, Pakistan 16, Zimbabwe 2