Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 1st T20I: Match Review

Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, 1st T20I: Match Review: Pakistan started as favourites , as the host was set to script a new tale. The coin favoured the visiting side and Afridi decided to bat. The Harare  pitch did its bit, but the opening pair added 21 runs, before Shehzad departed for 17 .Mukhtar was quick to follow his opening partner,as Pakistan was 2 down for 25. An exceptionally poor shot resulted in another wicket, as Sohaib went back to the pavilion with the score reading 29-3.Shoaib Malik played a vintage knock of 35 with 2 boundaries and one over the ropes. Umar Akmal gave a sitter to Masakadza, as Cremer got his first wicket. Malik’s blitz came to an end as Williams go the better of the veteran.

Mohammed Rizwan played the sheet anchors role and guided Pakistan to a decent total, along with the help of Imad, who played a cameo  of 19 runs off 12 balls. Zimbabwe made full use of the early breakthroughs, and restricted Pakistan to a gettable 136.

Chibhabha was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3 wickets and giving away 18 runs.

Chasing 137, Imad Wasim struck an early blow as the scoreboard read 1-1. Masakadza and Ervine got the score board ticking, before Ervine was struck in front.Sikandar Raza got to a start, but failed to read a Wasim delivery and was back to the pavilion.Pakistan seized the moment and sent Zimbabwe’s mainstay Masakadza for 25, as Zimbabwe were struggling at 60-4. Wasim continued his firing spell and sent half their men with 66 on the board.Zimbabwe’s running between the wickets turned out to be ordinary as they lost Jongwe and Mutumbami.

Chigumbura played the lone fighter role, as he struck a quick fire 31 off 28  balls. Zimbabwe were reaching close to the target, but to Pakistan’s delight the skipper fell short of his crease, as Pakistan put the final nail in the coffin. The skipper went back and the home team’s hopes were shattered. Utseya went for a final flourish, but it was too little too late. Imad Wasim’s 4 wickets helped Pakistan win the first T20 and blow away a threat from the home team. A target of 137 looked gettable at one stage, but Pakistan kept striking at regular interval, and at the end they reached home safe. Zimbabwe’s tryst with “ So close yet so far” tale continued, as they came close to beating Pakistan, after dominating most part of the game.

Breif Scores of Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 1st T20I:

Pakistan: 136 for 8 in 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 35, Rizwan 33; Chibhabha 3/18

Zimbabwe 123 for 9 in 20 overs (Chigumbura 31, Masakadza 25; Wasim 4/11, Tanvir 1/24)

Man of the match: Imad Wasim (Pakistan)