By Alam Zeb Safi
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan delivered a commanding all-round performance to outclass Zimbabwe by 69 runs and blasted their way into the final by virtue of their third straight win in the Tri-Series at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Powered by fluent half-centuries from Babar Azam (74) and Sahibzada Farhan (63) before a clinical bowling display wrapped up a one-sided contest at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Having won the toss and opted to bat, Pakistan overcame an early hiccup when Saim Ayub skied Brad Evans for 13 in the third over. Farhan, however, anchored the innings with authority, mixing drives and controlled aggression to compile 63 from 41 deliveries. He found a reliable partner in Babar Azam, who orchestrated the innings with his trademark precision.
The pair added 103 for the second wicket association, building pressure on Zimbabwe’s attack through measured rotation of strike and selective boundary hitting. Babar’s 74 off 52 balls included seven fours and two sixes, lifting Pakistan to a strong platform before both departed in the final overs.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers endured a mixed night. Sikandar Raza claimed 2-39, removing both set batters, but Evans conceded 59 in his four overs as Pakistan accelerated late. Fakhar Zaman capitalised on the momentum, smashing an unbeaten 27 off just 10 balls, including three towering sixes, to push Pakistan to a formidable 195 for five.
Zimbabwe’s response faltered almost immediately. Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim struck inside the first two overs, removing openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett to leave the visitors reeling at 14 for two. Brendan Taylor offered brief resistance before falling to Faheem Ashraf and when captain Sikandar Raza holed out for 23, Zimbabwe were 59 for four with the run-rate climbing beyond reach.
Ryan Burl stood as the lone bulwark against Pakistan’s dominance. The left-hander counter-attacked intelligently for an unbeaten 67 off 49 balls, registering eight fours and two sixes. But the collapse around him was relentless.
Usman Tariq, the off-spinner, triggered a dramatic middle-order slide with a spell that dismantled Zimbabwe’s hopes. He trapped Tony Munyonga for one, bowled Tashinga Musekiwa next ball, and removed Wellington Masakadza the delivery after to complete a fine hat-trick. Tariq returned in his final spell to bowl Tinotenda Maposa and finish with outstanding figures of four for 18 from four overs.
Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with two wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Raza, while Pakistan’s fielding remained sharp, highlighted by a direct-hit run-out from wicketkeeper Usman Khan to end the innings at 126 in 19 overs.
The emphatic victory, the third straight, moved Pakistan to the final. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, were left to rely heavily on Burl’s lone resistance, with little support from the rest of the lineup.
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Summarised Scores
Pakistan 195-5 in 20 overs
(Sahibzada Farhan 63, Babar Azam 74, Fakhar Zaman 27*; Sikandar Raza 2-39)
