Vishwa Shandilya
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Highlights, 1st T20I: Pakistan Wins by 57 Runs in Bulawayo
Pakistan secured a dominant 57-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. After being led by Salman Ali Agha in the absence of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan set a challenging total, and their bowlers backed up the performance with a clinical display.
Pakistan’s Innings: Pakistan posted a competitive total thanks to solid contributions from their batters. Saim Ayub and Omair Bin Yousuf gave Pakistan a steady start, with Ayub playing some aggressive shots. The middle order, including Salman Ali Agha and Usman Khan, kept the scoreboard ticking. Agha’s captaincy was sharp, and his leadership on the field was reflected in Pakistan’s overall performance.
Zimbabwe’s Chase: In reply, Zimbabwe struggled to build partnerships. The Pakistan bowlers, led by Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi, applied consistent pressure. Sufiyan Muqeem and the spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Jahandad Khan were effective in restricting the Zimbabwean batters. Despite a few resistance efforts, Zimbabwe was unable to chase down the target and was eventually bowled out, giving Pakistan a convincing win by 57 runs.
Key Performers:
- Pakistan: Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha with the bat, and Haris Rauf with the ball.
- Zimbabwe: Despite a valiant effort, none of their batters could provide the required acceleration in the chase.
With this win, Pakistan took an early lead in the three-match series, with the next T20I scheduled for December 3 in the same venue.
