Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 69 runs in another brilliant match of the tri-nation T20 cricket series to secure their third consecutive victory and book a place in the final.
Chasing 196, Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 126 runs, with Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq taking a brilliant hat-trick.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first and scored 195 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Babar Azam played a brilliant innings of 74 runs off 52 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan scored 63 runs off 41 balls.
Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub played short innings of 27 and 13 runs respectively. Mohammad Nawaz was dismissed for just 4 runs.
Among the Zimbabwean bowlers, Sikandar Raza took two wickets, while Broad Evans took one wicket. Pakistan’s impressive bowling line-up troubled the Zimbabwean batsmen.
Off-spinner Usman Tariq took a hat-trick in his second T20 International and took four wickets for 18 runs. His brilliant performance turned the tide of the match.
Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf took one wicket each.
Eight Zimbabwe batsmen failed to reach double figures. Ryan Burrell was the top scorer with 67 runs, while Sikandar Raza scored 23 runs. Brian Bennett scored 9 and Brendan Taylor scored 8 runs.
With this victory, Pakistan has secured its place in the final of the tri-nation cricket series.
Pakistan squad: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Muhammad Wasim, Usman Tariq and Naseem Shah.
Zimbabwe squad: Brian Bennet, Tadeonshe, Brandon, Sikandar Raza, Ryan, Tony, Tshenga, Brad, Tenutenda, Richard and Wellington.
