ZIM VS PAK MATCH 1

That's it from this contest. Pakistan has started this series with a win. The next game of this T20I Tri-Series, 2025, will be played between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on 20th November 2025 at 1 pm GMT. You can join us an hour early for the pre-match buildup and updates. Cheers for now.

Salman Agha, Pakistan’s skipper, said it was a close game and admitted that the team did not start well with either batting or bowling. He praised the spinners, noting that they have consistently performed under pressure and helped the team get back into the game. Agha added that he anticipated a modest total, hoping to be in the 160–180 range. While acknowledging a shaky start in the Powerplay, he expressed satisfaction with the win and emphasized that the team must be ruthless in upcoming matches.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza believed the wicket required some partnerships to grind out a decent score. Raza stated that they should have posted around 160 on that wicket and that Pakistan's quality spinners made it tough for them. He mentioned that there wasn't much turn and the pitch was slightly stoppy, with the spinners not getting much pace. Raza was positive about his team's performance, citing more positives than negatives, but felt they needed to work on consistency. As a captain, he wants his team to cross the finish line and is keen to find solutions to take the team forward in the sport.

Mohammad Nawaz has been named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance. He expresses his satisfaction with the contribution and is pleased to start the series on a winning note. Nawaz believes this victory will boost the team's confidence and provide momentum for the upcoming matches. He acknowledges the challenges of bowling in such conditions but emphasizes that he focused on keeping things simple, with the pitch offering some assistance. Reflecting on Rawalpindi’s reputation as a high-scoring venue, he notes that today was a bit different, with the game taking a more balanced turn. In T20 cricket, Nawaz points out, momentum can shift quickly, so staying on top of the game is crucial. He concludes by dedicating the award to his family and children.

Presentation...

Earlier, Zimbabwe managed to scrape to 147, with Pakistan's bowlers staging a terrific comeback, led by the spinners who squeezed the scoring rate and took regular wickets in the middle overs. Zimbabwe's openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani got their team off to a flyer, adding 59 in the powerplay and racing to 72 in 8 overs. However, Mohammad Nawaz's removal of Marumani for 30 turned the game, and Zimbabwe's middle order failed to capitalize, with Bennett falling just short of a half-century. Sikandar Raza's cameo of 34 steadied the ship, but it was too little too late. For Pakistan, Nawaz was brilliant with 2/22, while Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub also chipped in with wickets.

The Zimbabwean bowlers, led by Brad Evans, put up a great fight, with Evans himself picking up crucial wickets and conceding just 26 runs. Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa and Graeme Cremer also contributed with wickets, but ultimately, Zimbabwe was short by 10-15 runs, one would feel.

Pakistan's chase lost momentum when Brad Evans struck twice in the 4th over, sending Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam back to the pavilion. Despite being 54 for 4 in the 10th over, Pakistan's middle order batted well, with Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz chipping in with crucial runs to secure a 5-wicket win in the final over.

Pakistan has secured a 5-wicket win with 4 balls to spare, thanks to a solid batting performance from their middle order, successfully chasing down Zimbabwe's 148-run target.

FOUR! Another boundary to wrap the game up. Full toss wide of off, Mohammad Nawaz moves to his leg and cuts it past point for a boundary to seal the game. Pakistan has won this contest by 5 wickets.

FOUR! Now that'll settle the game here. Full and wide of off, Mohammad Nawaz plays this well and just opens the face of his bat to guide this past the keeper to his right for a boundary.

Pakistan needs 5 off the final over.

Good length around middle and leg, Mohammad Nawaz flicks it away for a single.

On a length around off, Usman Khan hits this to deep point for one.

FOUR! Poor again in the field from Zimbabwe and the pressure has got the better of the Chevrons here in the field. Slower one, on a length around middle and off, Usman Khan swings, gets an outside edge that drops in front of backwad point who makes a mess of it and misfields it for a boundary.

NO BALL! Brad Evans bowls one over the waist and Nawaz hits it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. Free hit up next for Pakistan.

DROPPED! Nawaz has been dropped at deep mid-wicket by Brian Bennett and they run two as well. Good length, around middle and leg, Mohammad Nawaz slogs this high in the air towards the deep mid-wicket region. Brian Bennett moves to his left and gets underneath the ball but fails to settle himself and ends up dropping it. This might just cost Zimbabwe the game here.