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Match Highlights: Nawaz Heroics Guide Pakistan Past Spirited Zimbabwe in Tri-Series Thriller
The inaugural match of the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 in Rawalpindi provided an immediate thriller, with the hosts Pakistan scraping past a determined Zimbabwe side by five wickets in a tense, final-over finish. The hard-fought victory was built on a critical all-round performance by Mohammad Nawaz.
Zimbabwe Innings: Spinners Apply the Brakes
After Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, the decision appeared questionable as Zimbabwe’s openers launched a stunning start.
- Blazing Start: Openers Brian Bennett (49 off 36) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (30 off 22) attacked the pace, racing to a commanding 72 for no loss in the 8th over, with Bennett dominating the scoring.
- Pakistan’s Fightback: The introduction of spin, led by Mohammad Nawaz, completely changed the momentum. Nawaz provided the crucial breakthrough, removing Marumani for 30 and triggering a collapse.
- Middle-Order Collapse: The hosts’ spin attack applied relentless pressure, ensuring Zimbabwe lost eight wickets for only 75 runs. Bennett fell just short of a half-century, and the middle order failed to build partnerships.
- Raza’s Late Push: Captain Sikandar Raza held the innings together with a fighting, unbeaten 34 off 24 balls, managing to push the final total to a competitive 147 for 8. Nawaz was the standout bowler, finishing with excellent figures of 2 wickets for 22 runs.
Pakistan Chase: Fakhar and Usman Lead the Rescue
Chasing 148, Pakistan endured a sudden, dramatic top-order collapse that injected significant tension into the match.
- Early Disruption: Zimbabwe’s pace bowler Brad Evans delivered a stunning spell, removing opener Sahibzada Farhan (16) and silencing the crowd by trapping Babar Azam LBW for a three-ball duck in the same over. When captain Salman Agha also fell cheaply, Pakistan was reeling at 54 for 4 in the 10th over.
- The Counterattack: Pakistan was rescued by a decisive stand between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan. Fakhar counter-attacked aggressively, scoring a vital 44 off 32 deliveries, mixing power with precision to revive the chase.
- Nawaz Finishes the Job: Though Fakhar was dismissed later in the chase, Usman Khan (37* off 28) remained composed, partnering with Mohammad Nawaz (21* off 12 balls). Nawaz displayed immense composure, hitting two quick boundaries off the final over to seal the five-wicket victory with four balls to spare.
Mohammad Nawaz was deservedly named Player of the Match for his decisive contributions with both the ball and the bat. The hard-fought win gives Pakistan the early momentum in the Tri-Series.
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