ZIM vs PAK 2024, 1st T20I Review: All-round Pakistan down Zimbabwe to take lead. (Photo Source: X(Twitter/ZimCricket)
A new-look Pakistan came out on top to take the lead in the T20I series against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo as clinical bowling display and some power-hitting at the death orchestrated their 57-run win.
Omair Yousuf looked to get going but was dismissed for 16 off 13 by Richard Ngarava in the third over of the game. Pakistan got off the blocks slowly, but 21 runs in fourth and fifth overs combined helped them register 52 in the powerplay before Wellington Masakadza got rid of Saim Ayub in his very first over.
Pakistan could managed only 27 runs in overs 11-15 and seemed set to settle for below par total. Skipper Salman Agha’s laboured 19-ball stay in the middle came to an end in the 15th over as it brought Irfan Khan to the crease. Tayyab Tahir and Irfan joined forces to drive the game forward from that point. Ryan Burl conceded 12 runs in the 16th over which saw the momentum shift towards Pakistan. The last three overs went for 10, 18, and 16 as the duo’s blitz suddenly pushed their side to a defendable total.
During the chase, Abrar Ahmed’s double-wicket over in powerplay halted Zimbabwe’s progress. However, Tadiwanashe Marumani got a move on with a maximum over deep fine leg followed by a hattrick of boundaries in the next over. Sikandar Raza and Marumani looked set to take the game away from Pakistan after helping their side post 60 on the board after the first six.
However, a couple of quiet overs led and an untimely run-out of Marumani derailed Zimbabwe again. Shortly afterwards, Raza saw two other batters perish which left Zimbabwe with half the batters in the shed. Saim Ayub’s well-timed jump at backward point to grab Raza’s catch sealed the fate of the game in all honesty. Sufiyan Muqeem, playing just his seventh T20I, registered a career-best 3/20, including a double-wicket over in his quota. Haris Rauf wrapped up proceedings to grant Pakistan a comfortable victory.