Twitter Reactions: Mohammad Rizwan’s 91* leads Pakistan to series win in Zimbabwe T20Is

After a splendid show in the second T20I, Zimbabwe tried their hearts out in the third and final game against Pakistan at the Harare Sports Club. However, it was Babar Azam and Co, who won the match by 25 runs and also clinched the series 2-1. For a chunk of the run-chase, Brendan Taylor’s Zimbabwe seemed to have a measure of their opposition, but the loss of wickets kept pushing them back and back.

Rizwan steps on the gas

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan put up a competitive score of 165 for three in the first innings. Pakistan made a change in their opening partnership as Sharjeel Khan came out along with Mohammad Rizwan. The former smashed to three fours to a 15-ball 18, but he fell prey to Luke Jongwe.

Thereafter, Babar Azam and Rizwan took charge and guided their team through. The duo put on 126 runs for the second wicket off 14.3 overs. Rizwan got to his half-century off 39 balls and stayed unbeaten on 91 runs off 60 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes.

Babar was a tad sedate as his 46-ball 52 came at a strike rate of 113.04. Fakhar Zaman got out for a duck and became Jongwe’s third wicket. Apart from Jongwe, no other Zimbabwe bowled could get a wicket.

Pakistan deliver the knockout punch

In the run-chase, openers Wesley Madhevere and Tarisai Musakanda started proceedings with a 37-run partnership off five overs. Hasan Ali trapped Musakanda, who scored an 11-ball 10, to break the partnership. In the powerplay, Zimbabwe managed 43 runs and didn’t allow the required rate to escalate.

Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani took the onus upon themselves to steady the ship. Madhevere got to his half-century off 37 balls and looked in ominous touch. Their 65-run stand came to an end after Mohammad Hasnain removed Marumani, who made a 26-ball 35 with four fours.

Hasan got rid of Madhevere, who made a 47-ball 59 with seven fours. From there on, the hosts couldn’t give the finishing kick to their innings and they ended on 141 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs.

Here’s how the netizens reacted:

Congratulations on series win boys,well done @iMRizwanPak and @RealHa55an #PakvsZim

— Sohail Tanveer (@sohailmalik614) April 25, 2021

Congratulations to @babarazam258 👏 on becomes the fastest to score 2000 runs in T20I
So proud of you brother 👍🏻👍🏻keep doing well and make more records 💪🏻💪🏻🇵🇰🇵🇰#PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/OYuH7dYXCy

— Rumman Raees (@rummanraees15) April 25, 2021

Congratulations @babarazam258 👏👏👏🙌🏻🙌🏻 MashA Allah https://t.co/b2nnBEuR1V

— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) April 25, 2021

Mubarak bro @babarazam258!
On achieving another milestone for 🇵🇰
Becoming the fastest to 2000 t20i runs in the world is certainly an incredible feat and we are proud of you 👏🏽

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) April 25, 2021

Pakistani bowlers pulled it back quite well in the second half of the Zimbabwe innings:

First 10 overs – 78/1
Last 10 overs – 63/6#ZIMvsPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 25, 2021

Babar Azam becomes the fastest batsman to 2000 T20I runs 🔥

He has taken only 52 innings to achieve the feat!#ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/cJT2HkYScg

— ICC (@ICC) April 25, 2021

Rizwan's in an all-time great run of form and people still talking about fiddling with his batting position. Even by Pak standards a genuinely baffling position to take. #ZIMvPAK

— Danyal Rasool (@Danny61000) April 25, 2021

First 10 overs – 78/1
Last 10 overs – 63/6
PAKISTAN WON BY 24 RUNS
#ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/ph5krkOKHd

— Babar Quickest to 2000 T20i Runs 🇵🇰 (@imma_sledge) April 25, 2021

4 overs
18 runs
4 Wickets
Thank you @RealHa55an 👏 🇵🇰#ZIMvPAK #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/FKCCMSXtjN

— Sufyan Iqbal Mayo (@SufyanIqbalMayo) April 25, 2021

It’s amazing that such a classy player gets to this milestone quicker than anyone else #2000T20Iruns It’s not all slogs and power .. Congratulations @babarazam258

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) April 25, 2021