108/10 (15.3)
CR : 6.97
165/4 (20.0)
CR : 8.25
Pakistan won by 57 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Tayyab Tahir
39(25)
PAK won by 57 runs
8:13 PM IST, 4:43 PM Local Time: Solid comeback from the Men in Green in the second half of the innings and they thump Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the inaugural match to go 1-0 up in the series.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 164/4 in 20 overs. Omair Yousuf (16) and Saim Ayub (24) provided a solid start for the visitors, but the former couldn't settle for long on the pitch. Ayub looked good initially but struggled after the powerplay, eventually departing for 24 runs off 18 balls.
Usman Khan played a sensible knock in the middle overs, contributing 39 runs off 30 balls. Zimbabwe's bowlers did well to put the brakes on the scoring rate in the middle overs, but Tayyab Tahir (39* off 25) and Irfan Khan (27* off 15) provided the necessary acceleration towards the end of Pakistan's innings, helping them post 164/5 on the board.
Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Wellington Masakadza, and Ryan Burl grabbed one wicket each for the hosts.
In pursuit of 164 runs, Zimbabwe got off to a shaky start as Abrar Ahmed removed Brian Bennett (6) and Dion Myers (6) in the third over of the innings. Sikandar Raza joined Tadiwanashe Marumani in the middle and all of a sudden, the pair changed the equation of the game. The pair went honkers and bonkers from the word go and helped the hosts post 60 runs in the powerplay. Zimbabwe were cruising, but unfortunately, Marumani (33 off 20) lost his wicket in the form of a run-out, and the 59-run third-wicket partnership was broken.
The wicket of Marumani turned out to be a turning point in the game as Pakistan staged a solid comeback and took wickets for fun. Zimbabwe’s last hope, Raza, also failed to bat through to the end and was dismissed for 39 runs. They fell like nine pins and eventually were folded for 108 runs in 15.3 overs, losing by 57 runs.
Sufiyan Muqeem bowled brilliantly for the Men in Green, grabbing three wickets and conceding just 20 runs in his spell. Abrar Ahmed (3/28) also chipped in with three wickets to his name, while Haris Rauf and Jahandad Khan contributed two and one wickets respectively.
Stay tuned for the presentation.....
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 164/4 in 20 overs. Omair Yousuf (16) and Saim Ayub (24) provided a solid start for the visitors, but the former couldn't settle for long on the pitch. Ayub looked good initially but struggled after the powerplay, eventually departing for 24 runs off 18 balls.
Usman Khan played a sensible knock in the middle overs, contributing 39 runs off 30 balls. Zimbabwe's bowlers did well to put the brakes on the scoring rate in the middle overs, but Tayyab Tahir (39* off 25) and Irfan Khan (27* off 15) provided the necessary acceleration towards the end of Pakistan's innings, helping them post 164/5 on the board.
Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Wellington Masakadza, and Ryan Burl grabbed one wicket each for the hosts.
In pursuit of 164 runs, Zimbabwe got off to a shaky start as Abrar Ahmed removed Brian Bennett (6) and Dion Myers (6) in the third over of the innings. Sikandar Raza joined Tadiwanashe Marumani in the middle and all of a sudden, the pair changed the equation of the game. The pair went honkers and bonkers from the word go and helped the hosts post 60 runs in the powerplay. Zimbabwe were cruising, but unfortunately, Marumani (33 off 20) lost his wicket in the form of a run-out, and the 59-run third-wicket partnership was broken.
The wicket of Marumani turned out to be a turning point in the game as Pakistan staged a solid comeback and took wickets for fun. Zimbabwe’s last hope, Raza, also failed to bat through to the end and was dismissed for 39 runs. They fell like nine pins and eventually were folded for 108 runs in 15.3 overs, losing by 57 runs.
Sufiyan Muqeem bowled brilliantly for the Men in Green, grabbing three wickets and conceding just 20 runs in his spell. Abrar Ahmed (3/28) also chipped in with three wickets to his name, while Haris Rauf and Jahandad Khan contributed two and one wickets respectively.
Stay tuned for the presentation.....
Time for the Post Match Presentation!
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain): "Yeah, certainly to be honest. We leaked 40 odd runs in the last 3 overs in the first innings, the momentum shifted towards them. From being in a good position in the run chase to collapsing like that, it's a difficult pill to swallow right now.
I have always said to the group. Work as much as you can in the nets. Correct your mistakes and then show it in the field. As a group, we have to raise our hands and take responsibilities.
Well, we were looking to win the game actually. From being 90/3 in 10 odd overs to getting bowled out so quickly, its not good at all.
Well, it's not hamstring actually, it's the age factor to be honest (laughs). Tomorrow I have a fitness test and then will see how it goes."
I have always said to the group. Work as much as you can in the nets. Correct your mistakes and then show it in the field. As a group, we have to raise our hands and take responsibilities.
Well, we were looking to win the game actually. From being 90/3 in 10 odd overs to getting bowled out so quickly, its not good at all.
Well, it's not hamstring actually, it's the age factor to be honest (laughs). Tomorrow I have a fitness test and then will see how it goes."
Player of the Match: Tayyab Tahir
Tayyab Tahir (Player of the Match): "To be honest, we were watching our openers, and it was difficult to hit the older balls later on. I made a plan with my partner to play out the full overs so that we could score something around 160. We were trying to sneak runs by good running between the wickets."
Agha Salman (Pakistan Captain): "Yeah, the way we started with the bat and the way we finished. Similarly, the way we bowled. Complete performance and I am really happy.
I think it will be the same in the next games too. It will be a slow surface, the ball will not come nicely onto the bat. Scoring runs will be difficult but the way we batted in the last few overs, it was outstanding.
Yeah, it was so pleasing to the eye to see the youngsters performing so well. Hopefully they can continue doing the same going forward."
I think it will be the same in the next games too. It will be a slow surface, the ball will not come nicely onto the bat. Scoring runs will be difficult but the way we batted in the last few overs, it was outstanding.
Yeah, it was so pleasing to the eye to see the youngsters performing so well. Hopefully they can continue doing the same going forward."
That's all from this contest, folks! Pakistan win the first match and go 1-0 up in the 3-match T20I series. That's all for now, from the trio of Deepak Prakash, Pritam Dey, and Paras Yadav. CHEERS!