Pakistan Crush Zimbabwe By Seven Wickets To Dump Hosts Out Of Tri-Series

Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fourth match of the triangular series to dump the hosts out of the competition.

Solomon Mire’s career-best knock of 94 propelled Zimbabwe to a challenging 162 for 4 in the allotted 20 overs. It, however, turned out to be too less in the end as Pakistan romped home with 5 balls to spare.

Sent in to best first, Zimbabwe were off to a decent start. Cephas Zhuwao and Mire added 49 runs for the first wicket off 46 balls before Faheem Ashraf sent back Zhuwao for 24.  The hosts then collected 23 runs off the next two overs to ease off the pressure. At the halfway stage, the scoreboard was reading 72 for 1.

10 runs later, Hamilton Masakadza was cleaned up Shadab Khan after struggling to 2 off 5 balls.  Mire then found an able partner in Tarisai Musakanda as the two took the innings forward. The duo took the innings past the 100-run mark, adding caution with aggression to lay the platform for a good total.  The duo added 64 runs for the third wicket before Mire feel short of his maiden T20I century by just 6 runs. Mire slammed 6 fours and as many sixes during his 66-ball stay. Musakanda stayed till the last over to ensure his team put up a good total.

In reply, Pakistan were off to a stunning start. Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail came out all guns blazing as Pakistan raced away to fifty in just 5 overs. The duo added 58 runs for the opening wicket before Sohail departed after scoring 16. Zaman and Hussain Talat then all but sealed the game in Pakistan’s favour by adding 47 runs for the second wicket.

Zaman was the second wicket to fall, perishing to Mire after scoring 47. Talat was then joined by skipper Sarfraz Ahmed as the duo added 43 runs for the third wicket. Talat fell when Pakistan needed 25 off 16 runs. The game, however, did not close as Shoaib Malik hit a couple of fours. Sarfraz then hit the first ball of the 20th over to take his team home.

Brief scores:

Zimbabwe 162/4 in 20 overs (Solomon Mire 94; Hussain Talat 1-10) lost to Pakistan 163/3 in 19.1 overs (Fakhar Zaman 47, Talat 44) by seven wickets.