What a rollercoaster of a start to the T20I tri-series in Rawalpindi. Pakistan came into this match looking to carry over their winning form, and when captain Salman Agha won the toss and chose to field, it all seemed to be going to plan. But cricket is a funny classic game, and what unfolded was a brilliant, gritty fightback from a determined Zimbabwe side that has turned this opening match on its head. Current trends reveal that
Key Highlights
- ✓ Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, continuing their preference for chasing.
- ✓ Zimbabwe posted a modest 147/8, thanks to a late unbeaten 34 from captain Sikandar Raza.
- ✓ Brian Bennett top-scored for Zimbabwe with 49, but the middle order collapsed under pressure from Pakistan's spinners.
- ✓ Pakistan's chase got off to a disastrous start, with Brad Evans taking two huge wickets in one over.
- ✓ The biggest shock was Babar Azam's dismissal, trapped LBW for a duck by Evans, leaving Pakistan reeling.
The Toss, the Pitch, and a Calculated Gamble
It all started with the coin toss. Pakistan's captain, Salman Agha, called it right and immediately decided to put Zimbabwe in to bat. His reasoning seemed sound—he described the wicket as "a bit slow" and not the typical Pindi track, and he was confident that dew wouldn't be a factor. It's a strategy that has served Pakistan well recently, and with a fresh ODI series win under their belts, confidence was high.
On the other side, Zimbabwe's skipper, Sikandar Raza, admitted he was a bit wary of dew forming later in the evening, which could establish gripping the ball tricky. Both teams came in with some key changes. Pakistan brought in the in-form Fakhar Zaman and legspinner Abrar Ahmed, while Zimbabwe welcomed back experienced campaigners like Tadiwanashe Marumani and Graeme Cremer. The stage was set for an intriguing contest.
Zimbabwe's Tale of Two Halves
When Zimbabwe's openers, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, walked out to face Shaheen Shah Afridi, they looked completely unfazed. Another important factor is They came out swinging, putting on a fantastic opening stand of 72 runs in just the first 8 overs. They absolutely dominated the Powerplay, racing to 59/0 and giving Pakistan's bowlers a real headache. Bennett, in particular, was on fire, finding the boundary with ease.
But just when it looked like Zimbabwe was on course for a massive total, the game flipped entirely. The introduction of spin changed everything. Mohammad Nawaz got the crucial breakthrough, sending Marumani back for a well-made 30. It's important to highlight That one wicket opened the floodgates. Pakistan’s spinners, led by the brilliant Nawaz who finished with figures of 2/22, began to squeeze the life out of the innings. Wickets started tumbling at regular intervals, including a couple of costly run-outs, and the middle order just couldn't handle the pressure.
It took a captain's knock from Sikandar Raza to stop the rot. He stood firm while wickets fell around him, anchoring the innings with a vital, unbeaten 34 off just 24 balls. His late flurry, including a huge six off Shaheen in the final over, dragged Zimbabwe to a respectable total of 147/8. It felt a little under par, but it was a fighting score that gave their bowlers something to defend.
The Chase Begins with a Bang… for Zimbabwe.
With a target of 148, Pakistan would have been feeling pretty confident during the innings break. The chase started steadily enough, with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub getting things moving. But the game was about to be turned on its head in the 5th over, bowled by the brilliant Brad Evans.
Here's where the drama unfolded. On the very first ball of his over, Evans produced a beauty of a delivery that jagged back and rattled the stumps of Sahibzada Farhan. Another important factor is A perfect start for Zimbabwe. But what happened three balls later sent shockwaves through the Rawalpindi stadium. The recent man in, the legendary Babar Azam, was facing just his third delivery.
Evans bowled a skiddy, good-length ball that nipped back in sharply. Babar, looking to flick it across the line, was beaten for pace and pinned right in front of the stumps. The umpire's finger went up straight away. After a quick chat with his partner, Babar sent it upstairs for a review, but it was in vain. The ball-tracking showed it was clipping the leg pole, and the on-field decision stood. Babar Azam was out for a duck, and Pakistan were suddenly in deep, deep trouble at 27/2.
A Deeper Hole for the Hosts
If losing two wickets in an over wasn't inferior enough, things were about to get worse for the home side. The captain, Salman Agha, walked in with a massive repair job on his hands. But he wouldn't last long either. Another important factor is Just an over later, Zimbabwe's Tinotenda Maposa delivered a perfect yorker-length ball that zeroed in on the stumps.
Agha tried to jam it out but was hit on the toe before his bat could establish contact. Another huge appeal, and another finger went up. Salman reviewed, but like Babar's, it was a hopeful one. The replay confirmed it was pad first, and with three reds on the screen, the captain had to walk back. Just like that, Pakistan had collapsed to 29/3. The pressure was immense, with Saim Ayub and the returning Fakhar Zaman left to pick up the pieces against a Zimbabwean team whose tails were well and truly up. It's important to highlight
Conclusion
What an absolutely thrilling start to this tri-series. This match has been a perfect example of how quickly momentum can shift in T20 cricket. After a blistering start, Zimbabwe were pulled back by Pakistan's spinners but managed to post a total that has proven to be incredibly challenging. Their bowlers, especially the fantastic Brad Evans, have come out with immense heart and discipline, rocking Pakistan's formidable top order.
With Babar Azam and captain Salman Agha back in the pavilion for next to nothing, Pakistan find themselves in a massive hole. It's a testament to Zimbabwe's fighting spirit and a stark reminder that in this format, you can never take anything for granted. The hosts have a mountain to climb, and this match has set a wonderfully unpredictable tone for the rest of the series.
