Babar–Farhan Partnership, Tariq Hat-Trick Lead Pakistan to Commanding Victory Over Zimbabwe
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan wrapped up a convincing 69-run win over Zimbabwe in the fourth match of the T20I tri-series, bowling out the visitors for 126 in 19 overs. The highlight of the night was a brilliant hat-trick from spinner Usman Tariq, which turned the game completely in Pakistan’s favour at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging target of 196, Zimbabwe’s innings never really settled. Their troubles began immediately when Naseem Shah removed Tadiwanashe Marumani for just four in the opening over. Mohammad Wasim Jr struck soon after, knocking over Brian Bennett for nine to leave Zimbabwe in deep trouble at 14-2 inside the second over.
The pressure continued to build as Faheem Ashraf picked up the wicket of senior batter Brendan Taylor, who managed 8 off 8. A brief recovery came through Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl, who added 34 runs together, offering a glimmer of hope.
That resistance didn’t last long. Mohammad Nawaz broke the stand by removing Raza for a brisk 23 off 18, leaving Zimbabwe at 59-4. What followed was complete chaos in the next over. Usman Tariq produced a stunning sequence—dismissing Tony Munyonga first, then removing Tashinga Musekiwa and Wellington Masakadza off consecutive deliveries to complete a superb hat-trick. Zimbabwe suddenly collapsed to 60-7.
Nawaz chipped in with another strike, and Tariq added a fourth wicket by sending back Tinotenda Maposa. Despite the collapse around him, Ryan Burl battled hard, reaching his fourth T20I fifty and carrying the innings with an unbeaten 67 off 49 balls, featuring eight boundaries and two sixes. Zimbabwe eventually folded when Richard Ngarava was run out.
Tariq finished with fantastic figures of 4-18, while Nawaz, Wasim Jr, Naseem, and Faheem took a wicket apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 195/5 after opting to bat. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a bright start, with Saim launching two sixes in the third over before falling for 13 off 8 to Brad Evans.
Babar Azam joined Farhan and the pair constructed a solid 102-run stand. They paced the innings well, bringing up Pakistan’s fifty and then accelerating as the innings progressed. By the midpoint, Pakistan were comfortable at 83/1, and both batters soon reached their half-centuries—Farhan registering his seventh in T20Is and Babar notching his 38th.
The stand was eventually broken when Sikandar Raza removed Farhan for a fluent 63 off 41. Faheem Ashraf, promoted up the order, couldn’t make an impact and was run out for three. Babar continued to push Pakistan forward before Raza struck again, dismissing him for an impressive 74 off 52, decorated with seven fours and two sixes.
In the final overs, Mohammad Nawaz departed for four, but Fakhar Zaman injected late momentum. His explosive cameo—21 off just nine balls with two sixes and a four—helped Pakistan close in on 200. Agha Salman supported with a single run as Pakistan finished strongly at 195/5.
Zimbabwe’s bowling was led by Raza, who claimed 2/39, while Evans and Ngarava picked up one wicket each.
