Pakistan Dominate Zimbabwe in Opening T20I With 57-Run Win

KEY POINTS

• Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the opening T20 match in Bulawayo.
• Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan delivered a crucial 65-run partnership, boosting Pakistan’s innings.
• Zimbabwe collapses to 108 all out, struggling against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.

Pakistan claimed a commanding 57-run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening match of their three-game Twenty20 International (T20I) series at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Sunday.

A fifth-wicket partnership of 65 runs between Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan propelled the visitors to a competitive 165-4 before Zimbabwe crumbled to 108 all out in 15.3 overs.

The win puts Pakistan on track for a white-ball sweep in Zimbabwe, having already clinched the ODI series 2-1.

Late surge sets winning total

After being 100-4 with just over five overs left, Tahir and Khan capitalized on Zimbabwe’s loose bowling and fielding to add quick runs. 

Tahir scored an unbeaten 39, including a six and four boundaries, sharing the top-scorer spot with opener Usman Khan, who struck two sixes in his 39-run innings. 

Irfan Khan chipped in with 27 off 15 balls, hitting three boundaries.

Tahir was awarded the player of the match owing to his aggressive strategy. He claimed: “Irfan and I decided to run hard and hit every ball. If we can’t clear the boundary, we’ll push for runs.”

Zimbabwe collapse after promising start

Chasing 166, Zimbabwe initially raised hopes with a third-wicket stand of 59 between captain Sikandar Raza and Tadiwanashe Marumani. 

Marumani’s 33 ended abruptly with a runout by Usman Khan, and Raza’s dismissal for 39 by Jahandad Khan at backward point triggered a dramatic collapse.

Zimbabwe’s final four wickets fell for just 13 runs as Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Sufiyan Muqeem with three wickets, dismantled the tail.

Raza, who also took the key wicket of Pakistan skipper Salman Agha, lamented the team’s inability to build on the middle-order partnership. 

“Leaking 40-odd runs in the last few overs shifted momentum and being all out for 108 is tough to swallow,” he said.

Next matches

The series continues with matches on Tuesday and Thursday, offering Zimbabwe a chance to bounce back against a dominant Pakistan side eager to seal another series win.