• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Pak Vs Zim 3Rd T20i Highlights Zimbabwe Hold Nerves To Stun Pakistan With Thrilling Win

PAK vs ZIM 3rd T20I Highlights: Zimbabwe Hold Nerves To Stun Pakistan With Thrilling Win

Akshita Patel

Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in 3rd T20I by 2 wickets [Source: @_FaridKhan/X.com]Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in 3rd T20I by 2 wickets [Source: @_FaridKhan/X.com]

In a dramatic last over thriller, Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by two wickets in the final T20I of the 3-game series. Chasing 133 runs total, Zimbabwe added 56 runs in the powerplay before the visitors restricted flow of runs in the middle overs. Tinotenda Maposa delivered match winning blows to seal a narrow two-wicket victory for Zimbabwe.

Here's how PAK vs ZIM 3rd T20I panned out in Bulawayo:

PAK vs ZIM Highlights: Muzarabani rocks Pakistan's order

Pakistan instantly regretted its decision to bat first after winning the toss as Blessing Muzarabani struck early to force an unwarranted collapse. Omair Yousuf miscued a cut on a short ball where Ngarava latched a comfortable catch at third man. Sahibzada Farhan holed out to Tashinga Musekiwa at covers as Pakistan were 9/2 within just 2.1 overs. 

Senior man Usman Khan’s stay at the crease lasted only 8 balls before Muzarabani deceived with a quicker delivery onto the pads. Usman’s desperate attempt to clip failed miserably as Dion Myers plucked a juggling catch at mid-wicket.

PAK vs ZIM Highlights: Pakistan crumbles to 132/7 in the first innings

From 19/3, Pakistan rebuilt themselves with Tayyab Tahir’s quick 21 off 14 balls. Skipper Salman Agha was going strong as well, with 32 off 32 balls before an unfortunate mixup with Arafat Minhas cost him dearly. Owing to notable contributions from Qasim Akram (20), Arafat (22), and Abbas Afridi (15), Pakistan managed to post a respectable total of 132/7 on the board.

PAK vs ZIM Highlights: Zimbabwe off to flyer start in powerplay

Chasing a modest target of 133 runs, Zimbabwe openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani went all guns blazing in the powerplay. The duo had stitched a 40-run partnership before Salman Agha dismissed Marumani to draw first blood. However, the wicket perhaps fell too late for the visiting team as Zimbabwe posted 56 runs on the board at the loss of 1 wicket by the end of the powerplay. 

That being said, Pakistan tightened the leash with Abbas Afridi getting two wickets of Dion Myers and Wessly in a span of 3 overs. From 73/1, Zimbabwe were dramatically reduced to 85/4 in 12.2 overs as men in green added life to the one-sided contest.

PAK vs ZIM highlights: Zimbabwe clinches emphatic victory in last over thriller

The chase that started as a cakewalk for Zimbabwe dramatically turned in the middle overs owing to Abbas Afridi’s tight bowling. Ryan Burl’s run-out only added to the chaos as Zimbabwe stumbled to 94/5. Skipper Sikandar Raza’s resistance was ended by Jahandad Khan, with the host team still needing 21 runs to win. 

However, under pressure, Tinotenda Maposa showed courage to slam a four followed by a six off Jahandad’s final over. Zimbabwe chased down 12 runs off the final 6 balls to seal a thrilling 2-wicket victory. Though they had already lost the 3-game series, a victory in the final T20I helped the hosts avoid a whitewash.