BULAWAYO: Tayyab Tahir’s unbeaten knock of 39 runs followed by a combined bowling effort led Pakistan to a stunning 57-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the three-match series here at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting total, Zimbabwe’s batting unit reached a meager 108 in the 15.3 overs despite quick knocks from captain Sikandar Raza and opener Tadiwanashe Marumani.
The home team made a shaky start to their chase, losing two wickets in three overs with just 18 runs on the board.
But, a quick knock from Marumani kept Zimbabwe on track until his agonizing dismissal in the ninth over.
He scored 33 off just 20 balls, with four fours and a six.
His dismissal opened the floodgates as the home team slumped from 77/2 to 108 despite a gutsy 39-run knock from Raza during the collapse.
For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem claimed three wickets each, followed by Haris Rauf with two, while Jahandad Khan scored with a scalp.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan made an unwelcome start to their innings by losing young opener Omair Bin Yousuf, who showed signs of command before falling victim to Richard Ngarava in the third over after scoring 16 off 13 deliveries with the help of two boundaries including a six.
Coming out to bat at number three, Usman Khan took the reins of Pakistan’s batting expedition with a defiant knock.
He was also involved in two crucial partnerships with Saim Ayub (24) and Salman Ali Agha before finally dying in the 13th over with 91 runs on the board.
The right-handed batsman remained Pakistan’s top scorer with 30-ball 39, studded with two fours and the same number of sixes.
After his dismissal, Sikandar Raza reduced Pakistan to 100/4 in 14.2 overs by getting rid of Agha, who bowled 13 off 19 balls.
After the fall, Tayyab and Muhammad Irfan Khan registered an unbeaten 65-run partnership to push their team’s total past the 160-run mark.
Tayyab hit five boundaries, including a six, on his way to an unbeaten 35 off 29 deliveries, while Irfan hit 27 off 15 balls.
For Zimbabwe, Ngarava, Masakadza, Raza and Ryan Burl each made a scalp.
