Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Match report| Pakistan won by 5 wickets
Pakistan Survive Late Jitters to Edge Zimbabwe by 5 Wickets in Tri-Series OpenerRawalpindi, November 18, 2025 – Pakistan launched their T20I Tri-Series campaign with a hard-fought five-wicket victory over a spirited Zimbabwe at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, overhauling 148 with four balls to spare under lights. In a match that swung wildly, Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 34 and some sharp Zimbabwean bowling pushed the hosts to the brink, but Usman Khan’s cool-headed 37* (28) and a late Mohammad Nawaz cameo (20* off 12) steered Pakistan home in front of a buzzing 20,000-strong crowd.Chasing 148 on a typically flat Rawalpindi deck, Pakistan stumbled early. Brad Evans, the tall seamer, produced a dream double in the fifth over: Sahibzada Farhan yorked for 16 and Babar Azam trapped plumb first ball for a three-ball duck. When skipper Salman Agha fell lbw for 1 in the next over, Pakistan were reeling at 30/3 inside six overs. Saim Ayub (22 off 26) and Fakhar Zaman (45 off 32, 2×4, 2×6) rebuilt with a 61-run stand, but both perished in the middle overs – Ayub holing out to long-on off Graeme Cremer, Fakhar edging Ngarava behind in the 16th.At 115/5 with 33 needed off 24, nerves jangled. But Usman Khan, playing his first international in 18 months, farmed the strike brilliantly, punching boundaries through cover and lofting Raza for a crucial six, while Nawaz sealed it with a pulled four and a monstrous six over midwicket off Tinotenda Maposa in the penultimate over. Pakistan finished 151/5 in 19.2 overs, breathing a collective sigh of relief.Earlier, Zimbabwe posted a competitive 147/8 after being asked to bat. Openers Brian Bennett (49 off 36, 8×4) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (30 off 22, 3×4, 1×6) blazed 72 in eight overs, punishing anything short. Mohammad Nawaz (2-22) applied the brakes, removing Marumani with a slider and later trapping Ryan Burl, while part-time off-spinner Saim Ayub’s golden arm accounted for Bennett – brilliantly caught and bowled off a leading edge. Brendan Taylor’s run-out for 14 triggered a familiar middle-order wobble, but Sikandar Raza (34* off 24, 3×4, 1×6) held firm, farming the strike and muscling boundaries in the death overs. Shaheen Afridi (1-34) and debutant Salman Mirza (1-21) were tidy, while Abrar Ahmed’s googly cleaned up Tashinga Musekiwa for 2. Zimbabwe managed only 75 runs in the last 12 overs, a total that ultimately proved 15-20 short on the belter.
Key Performances
- Brian Bennett (49 (36) – Zimbabwe’s top-scorer; aggressive yet composed until the soft dismissal.
- Fakhar Zaman 45 (32) – Kept Pakistan afloat with trademark flair before a rare loose shot.
- Usman Khan 37 (28)* – Ice-cool finisher; rotated strike and found boundaries when it mattered most.
- Mohammad Nawaz 2-22 & 20 (12)* – Quietly the match’s most influential all-round contribution.
Turning Points
- Evans’ double-wicket over (4th & 5th) reduced Pakistan to 27/2 → 30/3.
- Nawaz’s double strike in the 8th and 14th overs derailed Zimbabwe’s momentum.
- The 36-run unbroken sixth-wicket stand between Usman and Nawaz – calm heads when panic threatened.
Pakistan take two crucial points and a healthy NRR boost ahead of their next matches against Sri Lanka (Nov 22) and Zimbabwe again (Nov 25). For Zimbabwe, another gritty display away from home, but they will rue not converting starts into a match-winning total. Raza’s men remain alive, but now need to win both remaining games.
Player of the Match:
Usman Khan (Pakistan) – for his match-defining unbeaten knock under pressure.
The Tri-Series caravan stays in Rawalpindi; next up, Sri Lanka face Zimbabwe on November 20. Pakistan fans will hope their middle order finds fluency, but for tonight, a win is a win – and the Salman Agha era is underway with victory.
