Twitter Reactions: Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to cruise into the final

This was Zimbabwe’s last chance to keep the tri-series alive. They needed to win the third match against Pakistan but the task in hand wasn’t half as easy as it sounds. Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and asked the home team to set a target. Zimbabwean opener Solomon Mire batted as well as he has ever done in Twenty20 cricket. But in the end, his valiant effort couldn’t ensure them a win as Pakistan cruised home with 7 wickets in hand.

Mire along with Cephas Zhuwao added 49 runs for the opening wicket in 7.4 overs however things went downhill thereafter. He struggled to find another partner and had the second substantial stand with Tarisai Musakanda. The duo took Zimbabwe close to 150 but Mire fell agonizingly short of what would’ve been the first hundred by a player from his country in T20I cricket. He was caught by Shadab Khan off Hussain Talat on 94 which is now the highest individual score by a Zimbabwean cricketer in this format.

They finished the innings on 162/4 and on the Harare wicket it wasn’t quite a par score unless their bowlers manage something special. Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail did the needful and after the kind of start they got the team there was no pressure of the scoring rate and it was a smooth sail.

Zaman, in particular, played a variety of shots and scored 47. But the job wasn’t done yet. It required Hussain Talat and Sarfraz Ahmed to stitch a decent partnership and guide them towards the finish line. Talat added 44 runs to his name with a well-composed knock but was dismissed on the verge of his half century and team’s win. Sarfraz stayed there till the end and gave it finishing touches with Shoaib Malik. The skipper was unbeaten on 38 as Pakistan romped home with 7 wickets to spare.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to their victory:

Fakhar putting on a clinic.

Like it's the Champions Trophy Final all over again.

Except there's not as many Indians at the ground#ZimvPak

— Dennis Fakhar (@DennisCricket_) July 4, 2018

Stat Alert: Pakistani bowlers have failed to take a wicket in the PP overs in T20Is for the first time since Sarfraz Ahmed's first match as Captain against England in 2016. #ZIMvPAK

— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) July 4, 2018

Can someone please tell Sarfraz to Shut Up and let bowlers ball with peace? This continuos shouting on each and every ball is so negative. Letting confidence of fielders down as well. What if bowlers and fielders start questioning his keeping standard? #ZIMvPAK #pakvzim

— Steel Man (@Steel_Man_Usman) July 4, 2018

Pakistan have never conceded a century in T20Is. Solomon Mire’s 94 today is the highest score by any batsman against them beating 91 by Evin Lewis last year. #ZIMvPAK

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 4, 2018

Pakistan’s running between the wicket has improved alot..#ZIMvPAK

— WAQAR (@Waqarr_Goraya) July 4, 2018

i think @SarfarazA_54 wants HussainTalat in the team so tht he could look a better batsman #ZIMvPAK

— Ammar Rajar (@AmmarRajar) July 4, 2018

Sarfaraz is not misfit at 6 or 7 he is truly a misfit in t20s just a frustration ..!!#ZIMvPAK

— J A W A D 🌚 (@Jaji706) July 4, 2018

Tallat can't play in pressure and Sarafraz put pressure on others. #ZIMvPAK

— Fazal Aslam (@Faxal_Aslam) July 4, 2018

Hussain Talat ka talent tu bahar nahi aata , bus aik chain hai galay main jo bahar latakti rehti hai 😒#ZIMvPAK

— 🇵🇰 (@Ha_ph_ca) July 4, 2018

Don’t know where this team would’ve been without shoaib malik. A supreme single force right now in the team. Sarfraz riding his fat belly and captaincy on malik’s back. #ZIMvPAK

— Misbah ul haq FC (@misbahulhaqFC) July 4, 2018

Pakistan is #1 ranked team in ICC T20I team but they don't play like number one team… This should've been an easy chase #ZIMvPAK

— Muneeb Ahmed Khan (@_Muneeb_Ahmed) July 4, 2018

Malik may struggle against the big boys but the way he plays his games is excellent. A lot of our younger batsmen can learn from him on how he constructs an innings. 14 required of 12 now. #Cricket #ZIMvPAK

— lazybanz (@lazybanz) July 4, 2018

Why the hell do we keep selecting players like Talat in T20Is? He’s clearly more suited to ODIs. #ZIMvPAK

— Abdul Qadir Awan (@AbdulQadirAwan6) July 4, 2018

We won the match but just have a look at oppoition #12 wthout their top players great start by r openers and what sarfraz and talat did just made a mess of target dragging it till the last ovr shud have won that convincingly..!!
THANKS TO MALIK THOUGH..!!❤️#ZIMvPAK

— J A W A D 🌚 (@Jaji706) July 4, 2018

For the 15th time in his career, Shoaib Malik has remained unbeaten in a successful run-chase in T20Is – MOST by any batsman surpassing MS Dhoni (14). #ZIMvPAK #ZIMTriSeries

— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) July 4, 2018

Fair effort by Zimbabwe.

Much more competitive today which is good to see.#ZIMvPAK #TriSeries #Cricket

— CricBlog (@cric_blog) July 4, 2018

Thank You Zimbabwe For Participate 😂😂😂#ZIMvPAK

— Talha Malik 👑 (@GreatTalhaMalik) July 4, 2018

I'm not happy with this win. We hardly chased this minor target against a weak side. Just think if Australia makes 200+ tomorrow, could we chase with this strategy, definitely NOT. #ZIMvPAK

— 🐒 (@noughtysquirrel) July 4, 2018

im unable to understand..it doesnot seem Mickey Arthur style he dont adjust plyers like this..why playing haris sohail as opener instand of S.Farhan #ZIMvPAK

— Ammar Rajar (@AmmarRajar) July 4, 2018

Successful Run Chase with NOT OUT on the crease

• SHOAIB MALIK 15 times
• MS DHONI 14 times #ZIMvPAK

— Aqeel (@AqeelSays_) July 4, 2018

Pakistan beats Zimbabwe, secures place in the final of triangular T20i tournament. This is Pakistan’s 9th consecutive win while chasing, they are first team to do so. England and Australia have 8 consecutive successful chases.#ZIMvPAK #TriSeries

— NOmi (@WickidNomi) July 4, 2018