PAK vs ZIM: Pakistan earned their first points of the tri-series, with Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz producing vital all-round efforts as they beat Zimbabwe in the PAK vs ZIM opener. Having suffered early setbacks, Pakistan’s middle order and spinners ensured a comfortable finish with four balls remaining.
Nawaz and Fakhar Steady Pakistan After Early Setbacks
Chasing a tricky total, Pakistan found themselves at 31 for 3 at the end of the powerplay overs. Zimbabwe’s seamers Brad Evans and Tinotenda Maposa reduced the top order to tatters, removing Farhan, Babar Azam, and Salman Agha cheaply.
However, in this tense PAK vs ZIM encounter, Fakhar Zaman played his comeback T20I innings to anchor the chase with a composed 44 off 32 balls. His 61-run stand with Usman Khan restored momentum. After Fakhar’s dismissal, Usman then combined with Mohammad Nawaz, whose late hitting – 20 off 12 balls – tilted the game back in Pakistan’s favour.
The drop catch off Nawaz in the 18th over was costly for Zimbabwe. With 15 needed off 10, Brian Bennett spilt a straightforward chance at midwicket as Pakistan cruised home. The match was sealed with a boundary by Nawaz.
Nawaz Sparks Zimbabwe’s Collapse with Tight Bowling
Mohammad Nawaz’s precision and control with the ball changed the course of the PAK vs ZIM match. Zimbabwe were on their way at 91 for 1 after 11 overs at close to 10 runs per over, with openers playing freely.
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The quicker, flatter trajectory of Nawaz brought their momentum to a screeching halt. His removal of Tadiwanashe Marumani, caught at deep square leg off a full toss, opened the floodgates. He removed Ryan Burl later in the match. Nawaz conceded only 22 runs in four overs, for the best economy rate of the match at 5.50.
His efforts, along with the support from the spinners Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed, dismantled Zimbabwe’s middle order.
Zimbabwe’s Middle-Order Meltdown
From being in a comfortable position at 91 for 1, Zimbabwe suffered an incredible collapse between the 11th and 19th over, falling apart to 128 for 8. Pakistan allowed just 30 runs during this eight-over period, pushing through the pressure with tight spin and razor-sharp fielding.
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The absence of turn didn’t stop Pakistan’s spinners from consistently beating Zimbabwe’s batsmen in the flight to create errors. Two run-outs compounded Zimbabwe’s misery. Only Sikandar Raza put up any sort of resistance, ending with an unbeaten 34 off 24 balls to prevent a complete batting disaster.
Zimbabwe Seamers Dominate the Powerplay
In the first six overs of this PAK vs ZIM encounter, Zimbabwe’s pace battery was on fire. Brad Evans bowled a decisive fifth over to get rid of Sahibzada Farhan and captain Babar Azam. Maposa trapped Salman Agha lbw.
At 31 for 3, Pakistan were in deep trouble, and the pressure mounted further when Saim Ayub fell to veteran Graeme Cremer in the 10th over, pushing the required rate close to nine an over.
Pakistan Rebuild and Complete a Confident Chase
A responsible partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan restored Pakistan’s chase. Their composed approach allowed Nawaz to finish the job with calm, calculated hitting in the death overs. Cremer, back in T20Is after over seven years and a world-record 122-match gap, picked up one for 27 in three overs but was unable to forestall Pakistan’s lower-order resurgence.
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