Pakistan tested by Zimbabwe inT 20 lung opener, but win by 5 wickets with 4 balls to spare
By Brian Thomas
Zimbabwe who were the replacement team for the T 20 series in which Afghanistan pulled out due political turmoil, we’re very impressive at Rawalpindi yesterday against a quality Pakistan team playing in their home conditions.
Zimbabwe were put into bat by Salman Ali Agar the Pakistani Captain.
The openers impressed with Brian Bennett and Maruzani punishing the Pakistani seam attack of Shaheen Sha Afraid and Salman Mirza to accumulate 59 for no loss in the 6 over power play , and extended the partnership to 72 upto the 8th over when Mohd Nawas ultimately got the breakthrough, that too off a long hop having Marubani caught at square leg by Afraid off a full toss. Marubani made 30 , but Brian Bennett hung around stroking 8 boundaries and missing his half century by just one run.
Zimbabwe looked set for a challenging total at 91 for 1 wicket in the 11th over, but succumbed to spin , in the remaining 9 overs and struggled to reach 147 for 8 wickets in their alloted 20 overs.
Only Sikandar Raza made 34 unbeaten runs at the back end whilst the rest of the middle and lower order batters were completely strokeless against quality spin of Salim Ayub , Abar Ahmad, and Mohd Nawas.
From 91 for 1 wicket in 11 overs to end on 147 for 8 wickets, is equal to falling from grace.
Pakistan too struggled to get to the target of 148. The match commentators stated that Zimbabwe were in the game since Pakistan lost 4 top order batters including Babar Azam and surprisingly slumped to 54 for 4 wickets in 9.5 overs.
Pakistan are a strong batting unit. The 5th wicket partnership of 61 between Fakar Zaman 44 , and wicket keeper Uzman Khan took Pakistan to striking distance of 115 for 5 wickets when Fakar Zaman was dismissed.
Mohd Nawas stepped in with a quickfire 21 in 12 deliveries, to get the home team cross the line with 4 balls to spare.
Main scores
Zimbabwe 147 for 8 wickets
Brian Bennett 49
Sikandar Raza 34 not out
Mazubani 30
Mohd Nawas 2 for 23
Salim Ayub 1 for 33
Abar Ahmad 1 for 28
Salman Mirza 1 for 21.
Pakistan 151 for 5 in 19.2 overs.
Fakhar Zaman 44
Uzman Khan 37 not out
Mohd Nawas 21 not out
Brad Evans 2 for 26
Graham Creamer 1 for 27
Richard Ngarava 1 for 31
Maposa 1 for 29
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