Nawaz Steers Pakistan to Gritty Victory Against Spirited Zimbabwe in T20I Opener
Pakistan’s T20I Tri-Series campaign got off to a thrilling start at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as the hosts overcame a top-order wobble to defeat a determined Zimbabwe side by five wickets. In a match that was far tighter than anticipated, it was the all-round brilliance of Mohammad Nawaz that ultimately secured the victory, earning him the Player of the Match award.
11/19/20252 min read
Zimbabwe’s Explosive Start
Winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Pakistan's bowlers faced an early onslaught from the Zimbabwean openers. Brian Bennett (49) and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on a blistering 59-run partnership during the Powerplay, making the most of the batting conditions and putting the home side under pressure.
However, the introduction of spin provided the crucial breakthrough. Led by Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan’s slow bowlers staged a magnificent comeback. They tightened the screws in the middle overs, slowing the scoring rate and triggering a collapse in the Zimbabwean middle order. Zimbabwe, who looked set for a target exceeding 160, were eventually restricted to a competitive but manageable total of 147 for 8 in their 20 overs. Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with excellent figures of $2/22$.
Pakistan’s Middle-Order Rescue Act
The chase began disastrously for Pakistan, with fast bowler Brad Evans rocking the top order. The team stumbled to an alarming score of $30/3$ inside the Powerplay, including the early dismissal of key batsmen.
Just as the pressure began to mount, the middle order stepped up to the challenge. A crucial and stabilizing partnership between Fakhar Zaman (44) and Usman Khan (37 not out) absorbed the pressure and rebuilt the innings, adding 61 runs together.
The real confidence, however, came from the man of the hour, Mohammad Nawaz. Coming in with the required rate climbing, Nawaz showed exceptional composure under pressure, smashing a quick-fire 21 not out off just 12 balls, ultimately sealing the victory with successive boundaries in the final over and proving that Pakistan’s batting depth remains its greatest asset.
Confidence and Concerns
Captain Salman Agha praised the team's ability to pull off a victory from a difficult position, acknowledging the strong performance by the bowlers. However, the top-order’s susceptibility to early swing and the quick fall of wickets will be an area of concern as they progress deeper into the T20I Tri-Series.
For Zimbabwe, the match was a positive signal of their rising potential. While disappointed with the loss, their aggressive start and spirited effort with the ball showed they are capable of challenging the world’s top sides.