Zimbabwe pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win to stun Pakistan in the third and last T20I match in Bulawayo on Thursday. Zimbabwe chased down a 133-run target with just a ball remaining to avoid a 0-3 series whitewash against a new-look Pakistani side.
Entering the game with low confidence after two huge defeats in the first two games, Zimbabwe managed to produce a brilliant all-round performance to make a 2-1 series loss. Both teams made changes to their playing elevens with Zimbabwe handing a debut cap to bowler Tindotenda Maposo.
After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha chose to bat first and rested in-form Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub. But his decision to bat first backfired with Zimbabwe bowlers dominating the powerplay and setting the pace.
Pakistan’s top three batters Sahibzada Farhan, Omair Yousuf and Usman Khan failed to reach the double-digit score with Blessing Muzarabani clinching two wickets in the first spell for Zimbabwe. Salman promoted himself in the batting order to add some stability but struggled for the big shots during his 32 runs off 32 balls knock.
Arafat Minhas and Abbas Afridi added some useful runs in the closing stages as Pakistan were restricted to 132 for 7. Muzarabani bagged two wickets for 25 while Ryan Burl bowled an economical spell with one wicket for the hosts.
Unlike Pakistan, Zimbabwe were off to a flying start with openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani producing 40 runs for the first wicket in just 20 balls. Agha Salman gave Pakistan a breakthrough with Marumani’s wicket in the fourth over.
Bennett kept Zimbabwe ahead in the chase by smashing quick 43 runs off just 35 balls but Pakistan managed to make a stunning comeback in the middle overs. As expected spinners were able to find a great turn and that too the game to the wire at the Queens Sports Club.
Debutant Tinotenda Maposa smashed Jahandad Khan for one six and a four in the last over when Zimbabwe need 12 runs for a victory with 3 wickets in hand.
Pakistan Playing XI: Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Salman Ali Agha (c), Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Sufyan Moqim.
Zimbabwe Playing XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tindotenda Maposo.