Pakistan cruise into T20 Tri-Series final with 69-run victory over Zimbabwe

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 69 runs in Rawalpindi on Sunday to book a spot in the T20 Tri-Series final.

The Men in Green’s commanding total proved insurmountable, securing them a comfortable win despite late runs scored by unbeaten Zimbabwean batter Ryan Burl.

Apart from Burl (67 off 49), only Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza (23 off 18) managed to reach double figures; the rest of the batters were dismissed cheaply.

Usman Tariq was the most effective bowler for the Green Shirts, claiming 4 wickets for just 18 runs, including a hat-trick. Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets, while Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim, and Faheem Ashraf secured one wicket each.

Batting first, Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan helped Pakistan set a 196-run target for Zimbabwe.

After Saim Ayub fell for 13, Babar (74 off 52) joined Sahibzada (63 off 41) to build the commanding total.

Then, unbeaten Fakhar Zaman (27 off 10) played a crucial cameo to take the hosts closer to 200.

For the visitors, Sikandar Raza took two wickets, while Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans took one scalp apiece and one batsman was run out as the hosts reached 195-5.

Earlier, Green Shirts won the toss and chose to bat first against the Chevrons.

Playing XI:

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq

Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt.), Bradley Evans, Brendan Taylor (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava