cricket-teams/pakistan/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Pakistan failed to prevail in the T20I series against Zimbabwe as the African nation won the inconsequential third and final match at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday, December 5.
The tourists won the toss and elected to bat first, but the Zimbabwean bowlers went hard against them from the start. Pakistan lost three wickets in the first four overs with just 19 runs on the scoreboard. Captain Salman Ali Agha opened the scoring with a run-a-ball 32 to steady the ship but was thrown out at the wrong time. Tayyab Tahir and Qasim Akram had good starts but failed to capitalize.
Arafat Minhas played a calm and composed knock of 22* as Pakistan finished on 132/7 at the end of their 20 overs. Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers as he bagged two wickets for 25 runs in four overs. Meanwhile, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Ryan Burl and Tinotenda Maposa contributed a wicket each.
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In response, Zimbabwe performed brilliantly as Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani forged a 40-run partnership in 3.2 overs. The latter was sent off by Salman after a quick 15-point score. Dion Myers and Bennett played alertly and posted a 33-run stand off 38 deliveries on a sluggish track. However, from 73/1, Zimbabwe fell to 94/5 as Pakistan made a comeback of sorts.
The hosts pinned their hopes on the captain Sikandar Razawho tried to carry his team over the line. However, the experienced player had difficulty timing the ball while he was in the goal area. Raza was eventually dismissed for a 20-ball 19 in the 18th over. Zimbabwe needed another 21 runs in the last two overs when their skipper's wicket fell.
Abbas Afridi took the wicket of Masakadza in the penultimate over and conceded nine runs. Jahandad Khan was given the responsibility of bowling the last over with Zimbabwe needing 12 runs for a win. The over started brilliantly for the hosts when debutant Maposa had a lucky inside edge that rolled to the edge of the box. On the second delivery, the local hero hit a perfect pull shot as Zimbabwe only needed two more balls to win.
Maposa took a single on the following delivery before Zimbabwe lost their eighth wicket. Richard Ngarava went to the crease and scored a single to end the game with one ball remaining. Zimbabwe came home with two wickets remaining in the tank.
Here's how 'X' users reacted to Zimbabwe's win in the 3rd T20I:
A game full of twists and turns ended with Zimbabwe winning…!!!
– Zimbabwe won the match and recorded their third T20I win against Pakistan as Pakistan won the series 2-1. 🥇 🏆
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888)
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