Pakistan edged past Zimbabwe in a tense last-over finish to open the 2025 T20I Tri-Series with a hard-fought win in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, November 18. Fakhar Zaman’s counterattacking 44 and Mohammad Nawaz’s composed all-round performance proved decisive after an early scare in the run chase.
Zimbabwe made an explosive start after being asked to bat, with openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani racing to a 72-run stand in just eight overs. Marumani struck 30 off 22 balls, while Bennett top-scored with a brisk 49 from 36 deliveries. However, Pakistan fought back well through their spinners, particularly Mohammad Nawaz, who dismissed Marumani and Ryan Burl to finish with impressive figures of 2 for 22.
Sikandar Raza held Zimbabwe’s innings together with a fluent unbeaten 34 from 24 balls as wickets continued to fall around him, guiding his team to a competitive 147 for 8. Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed claimed a wicket each for Pakistan.
Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan steady Pakistan after early collapse
Zimbabwe’s pace attack struck early blows in the chase. Brad Evans removed Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam, who fell for a three-ball duck, while Tinotenda Maposa and Graeme Cremer added to Pakistan’s troubles. At 54 for 4 at the halfway mark, the hosts were in deep trouble.
Fakhar Zaman then stitched a crucial 61-run stand with Usman Khan, rebuilding the chase with calculated aggression. Zaman’s 44 off 32 balls revived Pakistan before he was dismissed by Richard Ngarava.
Usman Khan remained unbeaten on 37 off 28, while Mohammad Nawaz finished the job calmly, scoring an important 20* off 12 deliveries. Pakistan reached the target in the final over with five wickets in hand, sealing a confident start to their tri-series campaign.
