Pakistan has secured a place in the T20 tri-series final in Rawalpindi following a convincing 69-run victory over Zimbabwe. This win marks Pakistan’s third consecutive triumph in the series.
Usman Tariq emerged as a standout performer, achieving a remarkable hat trick with figures of 4 for 18. His exceptional bowling played a crucial role in limiting Zimbabwe to just 126 runs while chasing a target of 196.
In his second T20 International match, the 27-year-old off-spinner made an indelible mark by dismissing three Zimbabwean players—Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, and Wellington Masakadza—in consecutive deliveries during the 10th over. This performance was instrumental in securing Pakistan’s victory.
Captain Salman Agha praised Tariq for his game-changing ability. He remarked on the spinner’s consistency in taking wickets, highlighting that such contributions signify a valuable player in team success.
Zimbabwe, facing a challenging situation at 82 for nine, saw Ryan Buri emerge as a resilient figure with an unbeaten 67 runs. His partnership with Richard Ngarava, which added 44 runs for the last wicket, enabled Zimbabwe to reach a total that was somewhat respectable despite the collapse.
Earlier in the match, Babar Azam led the batting charge for Pakistan, scoring 74 runs off 52 balls. Sahibzada Farhan also contributed significantly with a solid 63 runs from 41 balls, while Fakhar Zaman added 27 runs off just 10 balls, enabling Pakistan to post a total of 195 for five in their innings.
The performance of the day belonged to Tariq, who was rightfully awarded the man-of-the-match title. Reflecting on his achievement, he expressed gratitude for the hat trick, emphasizing the importance of managing pace and spin variations in his bowling approach.
In summary, Pakistan showcased their strong team performance, setting themselves up for the final, while Zimbabwe will seek to regroup and improve in their upcoming matches.
Brief Scores
- Pakistan 195 for 5 (Babar 74, Farhan 63, Raza 2-39) beat Zimbabwe 126 all out (Burl 67 not out, Usman Tariq 4-18, Nawaz 2-21) by 69 runs.