Pakistan triumphed over Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the first T20 international, with spinners Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed each taking three wickets. Pakistan scored 165 runs, while Zimbabwe faltered, finishing at 108 runs. Key contributions came from Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan, with Zimbabwe’s reliance on captain Sikandar Raza’s efforts ultimately falling short.
In a commanding performance, Pakistan’s spinners were instrumental in securing a decisive 57-run victory over Zimbabwe during the first T20 international held on Sunday. Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem excelled, taking 3 wickets for just 20 runs, whilst leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed also claimed 3 wickets, yielding 28 runs. Zimbabwe’s batting line-up crumbled, ultimately bowled out for a mere 108 runs in 15.3 overs, losing their last eight wickets for a mere 31 runs.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, finishing with a score of 165 for 4. Contributions from Tayyab Tahir, who remained unbeaten at 39 runs off 26 balls, and Irfan Khan, who scored 27 runs off 15 balls, provided a significant boost in the crucial later overs. The pair’s partnership of 65 runs was vital in lifting Pakistan’s total.
Despite strong initial efforts from Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza, who scored 39 runs in 28 balls, and Tadiwanashe Marumani, with 33 runs off 20 balls, Zimbabwe could not sustain their innings. They reached a promising 77 runs for 2 wickets by the ninth over before Marumani’s run-out triggered a batting collapse. Haris Rauf distinguished himself as he became Pakistan’s leading T20 wicket-taker with 108 wickets, claiming 2 wickets for just 17 runs.
In the earlier stages of the match, Zimbabwe’s spinners had put up a commendable effort, with Raza, Wellington Masakadza, and Ryan Burl each contributing with one wicket. Nonetheless, the latter stages of Pakistan’s innings saw Irfan and Tayyab spinning the match back in their favor with aggressive batting. Zimbabwe’s fielding was lacking, highlighted by a dropped catch that could have dismissed Usman Khan early on, who ultimately scored 39 runs. The second T20 match is scheduled for Tuesday, to be followed by the third match on Thursday, both taking place in Bulawayo.
This match marked the commencement of a T20 series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, following a preceding ODI series which Pakistan won 2-1. The first match was characterized by a significant contribution from Pakistan’s spin bowlers, who capitalized on Zimbabwe’s batting frailties. The absence of key players from Pakistan’s white-ball team, including captain Mohammad Rizwan, added an intriguing element to the series. The performance of both teams during this match exemplifies the critical role of spin bowling in T20 cricket and the potential for batting collapses, particularly in the context of international competition.
In summary, Pakistan’s spinners proved dominant in the first T20 match against Zimbabwe, leading to a substantial victory by 57 runs. Key performances from Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed facilitated Zimbabwe’s swift dismissal, while solid contributions from Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan bolstered Pakistan’s total. The second match will continue the contest between these teams amidst the context of previous series encounters.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
