126/10 (19.0)
CR : 6.63
195/5 (20.0)
CR : 9.75
Pakistan won by 69 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
U Tariq
4/18
Bowler of the Match: Usman Tariq
Superpower of the day: Fakhar Zaman
Confident All-rounder of the Match: Sikandar Raza
Electrifying Batter of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: USMAN TARIQ
Usman Tariq (POTM): "Thank you very much! I am honoured to be the only 4th Pakistani men's player to pick up a hat-trick. I'm blessed and honoured and hope that I can continue playing like this in the near future.
You need to be balanced while delivering the ball, and these are the things I am working on. You have to be balanced, your body should go forward, that is what helps me with my action. It helps me a lot.
Actually, there is a big process behind it. My coaches - Aslam Qureshi and Zoya Khan - back in Peshawar are behind it. They are helping me with these variations. They taught me that variation isn’t only about spin, but also about pace. Many bowlers don’t focus on that nowadays, so I’ve worked hard to control both. Nowadays, the spinners aren't varying the pace much. They told me to do that along with the spin variations.
Credit to the skipper, Salman Ali Agha. I wasn't expecting a big shot on the hat-trick ball, thanks to the batter, who helped me get a hat-trick. Credit to the captain for the confidence he showed in me, telling me to bowl whatever I felt was right, and for setting the field perfectly. I’m really happy."
You need to be balanced while delivering the ball, and these are the things I am working on. You have to be balanced, your body should go forward, that is what helps me with my action. It helps me a lot.
Actually, there is a big process behind it. My coaches - Aslam Qureshi and Zoya Khan - back in Peshawar are behind it. They are helping me with these variations. They taught me that variation isn’t only about spin, but also about pace. Many bowlers don’t focus on that nowadays, so I’ve worked hard to control both. Nowadays, the spinners aren't varying the pace much. They told me to do that along with the spin variations.
Credit to the skipper, Salman Ali Agha. I wasn't expecting a big shot on the hat-trick ball, thanks to the batter, who helped me get a hat-trick. Credit to the captain for the confidence he showed in me, telling me to bowl whatever I felt was right, and for setting the field perfectly. I’m really happy."
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe Captain): "I thought apart from the last over, it was a typical Pindi wicket. I knew runs would be scored. But when we found ourselves in early trouble, someone needed to pick up the responsibility. When you lose three wickets in the powerplay, things only get tougher from there. There are lessons to be learned from today, just as there were from the match against Sri Lanka.
You are being closely watched. You've got to respect that the opposition will come up with better plans. If you're not ahead of the game, teams will find you wanting.
For the game against Sri Lanka, we'll regroup. There needs to be accountability. The way we've played spin tonight, we can't carry on like that. As disappointing as this result is, the game is done now. We'll help each other out and find our feet before the next game."
You are being closely watched. You've got to respect that the opposition will come up with better plans. If you're not ahead of the game, teams will find you wanting.
For the game against Sri Lanka, we'll regroup. There needs to be accountability. The way we've played spin tonight, we can't carry on like that. As disappointing as this result is, the game is done now. We'll help each other out and find our feet before the next game."
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan Captain): "(On being wished for his 32nd birthday) Thank you very much.
Yeah, it was perfect. That is what I wanted from the team. We played a complete game yesterday. We wanted to repeat it tonight, and I am happy we did. With 70m boundaries, you need batters to play the field, hit the gaps and pockets and run hard between the wickets. That is what we spoke about in the batter's meeting. Credit to Farhan and Babar.
Usman Tariq is an X-factor bowler, and that's how we want to use him. If we have a bowler like that who can create that kind of impact in the middle overs, we are always going to be on the winning side."
Yeah, it was perfect. That is what I wanted from the team. We played a complete game yesterday. We wanted to repeat it tonight, and I am happy we did. With 70m boundaries, you need batters to play the field, hit the gaps and pockets and run hard between the wickets. That is what we spoke about in the batter's meeting. Credit to Farhan and Babar.
Usman Tariq is an X-factor bowler, and that's how we want to use him. If we have a bowler like that who can create that kind of impact in the middle overs, we are always going to be on the winning side."
Biggest Margin of Wins for Pakistan vs Zimbabwe in T20Is (by runs):
85, Harare, 2011
74, Harare, 2018
69, Rawalpindi, 2025, Tonight*
85, Harare, 2011
74, Harare, 2018
69, Rawalpindi, 2025, Tonight*
That is it from our live coverage of this fixture! Pakistan steamrolled Zimbabwe by 69 runs and stormed into the grand final of this T20I Tri-Series, awaiting their opposition. If not for Ryan Burl's blitz towards the end, the visitors were not even crossing the 100-run mark. A perfect birthday gift for the Pakistan skipper, Salman Ali Agha, as the hosts put up back-to-back dominating performances to remain unbeaten in this tournament.
We have a day's break in this competition. Next up is a crucial fixture between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka on Tuesday at the same venue. If Zimbabwe win that one, then they will face the Men in Green in the summit clash; else, Sri Lanka will also stand a chance.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of our scorer, Paras Yadav and statistician, Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
We have a day's break in this competition. Next up is a crucial fixture between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka on Tuesday at the same venue. If Zimbabwe win that one, then they will face the Men in Green in the summit clash; else, Sri Lanka will also stand a chance.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of our scorer, Paras Yadav and statistician, Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!