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ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP): Pakistan began their Tri-Nation Series campaign with a commanding five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest target of 147, Pakistan encountered early setbacks as Sahibzada Farhan (16), Saim Ayub (22), Babar Azam (0), and captain Salman Ali Agha (1) fell inside the first half of the innings.
Fakhar Zaman steadied the chase with a fluent 44 runs off 32 balls, combining with Usman Khan for a crucial 61-run stand for the fifth wicket before being removed by Richard Ngarava.
Usman Khan (37 off 28) continued to anchor the innings, while Mohammad Nawaz (21 off 12) provided the finishing touches. The pair guided (36-runs partnership) Pakistan to 151 for 5 in 19.2 overs, sealing the match with four balls to spare.
For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 26, while Tinotenda Maposa and Graeme Cremer claimed one wicket apiece. Mohammad Nawaz was declared Player of the match.
Earlier when put in to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 147 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Brian Bennett (49 runs off 36 balls) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (30 runs off 22 balls) laid a solid platform with a 72-run partnership for the first wicket.
Skipper Sikandar Raza added valuable runs in the middle order, making 34 off 24 deliveries, including three fours and a six. Brendan Taylor chipped in with 14, but the rest of the batting line-up struggled to gain momentum.
For Pakistan, Muhammsad Nawaz led the bowling attack with figures of 2 for 22. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Saim Ayub, and Abrar Ahmed each picked up one wicket.
Fixtures: Sri Lanka will face Zimbabwe on Thursday while Pakistan will play Sri Lanka on Saturday.