Pakistan outplayed Zimbabwe by 69 runs in the tri series clash in Rawalpindi, tightening their grip on the top spot and keeping Sri Lanka alive in the race for the final. Pakistan moved into Saturday’s final with three wins in three games after posting 195 for 5 and bowling Zimbabwe out for 126.
Pakistan batted first after winning the toss and immediately pushed the scoring rate through Saim Ayub. He smashed two early sixes before finding a fielder, but his intent created momentum for the innings. Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam carried that tempo with a smart partnership. Farhan attacked from the start and raced to 32 off his first 20 balls. Babar settled in at the other end and scored 15 off his first 20 deliveries. Both stayed clear about the target they wanted to set and controlled the pace of the innings.
The pair shifted gears after the tenth over. Babar struck two boundaries off Sikandar Raza in the 12th over and Farhan brought up the hundred partnership with a huge six down the ground. Farhan completed an impressive 63 off 41 balls before Raza removed him. Babar continued to lift the scoring rate and reached 74 off 52 balls before holing out deep in the final phase of the innings.
Pakistan looked set for a big total with wickets in hand and experimented with the batting order. Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz came earlier than usual but could not provide the push. The real damage came at the end when Fakhar Zaman walked in at number seven for the first time in his career. He tore into Brad Evans in the final over, smashing three sixes and a four as the over leaked 25 runs. Evans thought he had dismissed Fakhar off the last ball, but the umpire called it a no ball and Fakhar launched the free hit for another six to finish at 195 for 5.
Zimbabwe needed a strong start to chase 196 but collapsed early. Tadiwanashe Marumani chipped Naseem Shah to cover point and Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor followed soon after. Zimbabwe relied heavily on their top order and once it crumbled, they struggled to stay in the game. Ryan Burl tried to fight back with Sikandar Raza in a 34 run stand, but Pakistan’s bowlers kept striking.
Usman Tariq then changed the match completely with a brilliant hat trick. He removed Tony Munyonga with a sweep to short fine and bowled Tashinga Musekiwa next ball. Wellington Masakadza tried to loft the hat trick ball into the leg side but found long on waiting under it. Tariq’s triple strike broke Zimbabwe’s resistance and left Burl batting alone. Burl reached his half century with a clean six off Naseem and finished unbeaten on 67, but he received no support from the other end as wickets continued to fall.
Pakistan wrapped up the innings for 126 and secured a dominant win. They now head confidently toward the final, carrying strong form and a perfect record in the tournament.
