Pakistan Whitewashed Zimbabwe in the T20 series. PAK vs ZIM T20I series started off right after Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan cricket team in the third One Day International.
Babar Azam, His squad and the team management of Pakistan Cricket Team came under fire when they went on to lose the last ODI against Zimbabwe cricket team. Pakistan’s loss against a much lower ranking team wasn’t taken lightly but the cricket fans and critics. Though the tail ender Musa Khan brought Pakistan right back in the game by striking a boundary on the last ball, taking Pakistan to the super over. However, Muzrabani’s magical spell continued and he stuck twice in the super over effectively restricting Pakistan to just 2 runs. This was obviously achieved easily and ZIM won their first game of Pakistan’s tour. Now was the time for T20Is. Which is considered to be Paksitan’s stronghold.
PAK vs ZIM First T20I Match Summary
Pakistan won the toss in the first ODI match and elected to bowl first, Brendon Taylor started off the proceedings with a quick start but the star of the show for Zimbabwe was W Madhevere who made 70 runs on 48 balls and did bulk of the scoring for ZIM. Zimbabwe finished off 156 for 6 whcih was a decent score.
When Pakistan came out to bat, Fakhar Zaman was the first to go but then came the big fish, Babar Azam! Babar took the game away form Zimbabwe and scored a brilliant match winning 82 runs innings on just 55 balls.
Pakistan won the 1st T20 comfortably by 6 wickets with 7 balls to spare.
PAK vs ZIM Second T20I Match Summary
Pakistan won the toss in 2nd T20I and once again decided to put Zimbabwe in to bat first. Pakistan played several new youngsters in the second T20 including the sensational Haider Ali, Kushdil shah, Faheem Ashraf and Usman Qadir (leg spinner).
Younsters were expected to deliver which they did. The young wrist spinner Usman Qadir, who is son of the great leg spinner Abdul Qadir came the squad and shined with the ball. He took three wickets and Pakistan was able to restrict Zimbabwe to a small total of 137 runs.
A total of 137 runs was never going to be enough against a quality T20 Side like Pakistan. Younster Haider Ali took the game away with his fearless batting. he scored 66 runs on just 43 balls with the help of 6 fours and 3 sixes. Babar Azam was yet again amongst the runs and scored a brilliant half century.
Pakistan won the 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe comfortably by 8 wickets after chasing the total of 137 in ust 15.1 overs.
PAK vs ZIM Third T20I Match Summary
Pakistan had already won the T20I series and experimented with even more youngsters in the third and final T20I match against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe won the toss and came out to bat first but lost Brendan Taylor‘s wicket right away to Imad Wasim.
Usman Qadir Magic
Usman Qadir Who was playing his second match of the series bowled brilliantly and delivered his career best 4-13 in his 4 overs. Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to a mere 129 runs target.
Failing Fakhar Zaman.
In form Pakistan team cruised along right from the start. however, Fakhar Zaman was not able to score big and failed yet again. Fakhar who has a record of a double century against Zimbabwe could not score anything substaintial in this series against ZIM. He failed in all three matches.
Stars for the future: Khushdil Shah and Abdullah Shafique
Khushdil Shah played a blinder with the bat and scored 36 runs on just 15 balls. Shah scored three fours and three sixes finishing the job for Pakistan.
Khushdil Shah was criticized for his dismissal in the 3rd ODI match which Pakistan lost in the super over. However, Management trusted in his ability and gave him a chance in T20I series. He performed and showed is class in T20.
Abdullah Shafique scored a brilliant 41 runs (not out) innings on his debut. he scored off 5 boundaries including 4 fours and a six. Abdullah Shafique was praised for his temperament and technique. He has certainly put up in name in the selector’s book for the upcoming PAK vs NZ series.
Pakistan won the last T20I match chasing down the small target of 129 in just 15.2 overs.
Final Thoughts.
Pakistan won the T20I series comfortably unlike ODI series it was a comprehensive win for the home side. Zimbabwe struggled in all fields and need to improve upon their batting against a quality bowling side.
