Pakistan gave a superb all-round performance against Zimbabwe in the T20 tri-series, winning by 143 runs. On [insert date], play started at [insert venue]. Zimbabwe struggled to find any rhythm in constructing an innings, collapsing to bowled out for 126 runs in just 19 overs.
Zimbabwe had a shaky start to their innings as Tadiwanashe Marumani was out for foul ball. The team faltered at the outset, making a mere six runs before losing its first wicket. Marumani’s first task was to ride out an early storm after his side found itself 6 for 1. Hope dashed. The tide turned immediately as Zimbabwe precariously spiraled to 14 for 2 within quick time. Brian Bennett could never quite get the momentum going in their direction.
The Zimbabwean batting order kept crumbling though, totalling just 25 for 3 when they lost Brendan Taylor. Though there was a bit of resistance from Sikandar Raza, who made 23 — the highest individual score — with no other batter able to form a meaningful alliance. Raza’s solid innings finally ended when he was caught by Faheem Ashraf off the bowling of Mohammad Nawaz.
Second, Pakistan’s bowling attack was downright intimidating on that late afternoon. Usman Tariq emerged as the standout bowler, delivering a remarkable performance that included taking four wickets in four overs, conceding just 18 runs and bowling one maiden over. Mohammad Nawaz too played a crucial role, taking two wickets for just 21 runs in his four-over spell. Naseem Shah made a vital contribution to the show that led to one batsman getting out, bowling four overs and conceding only 31 runs.
Even as the Zimbabwean innings unfolded, it was evident that they couldn’t bounce back from the self-inflicted wounds of being in a spot of bother. That 126 all out was a stark indictment of their inability to cope with a tight Pakistani attack.
Leave a Reply