Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Nov 18 Full score card

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.

15 needed off the last 10 balls.

On a length around off, Usman Khan shimmies down the track and smashes this to long off for a single.

Too full, on middle and leg, Mohammad Nawaz hammers this to long on for one.

Slower one, on middle and leg, Mohammad Nawaz looks to hit this around mid-wicket but gets outdone but the slowness of this delivery. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and the batters run one.

Short and on middle and off. Mohammad Nawaz punts this back to the bowler.

Short and wide of off, Usman Khan slaps this to long on for one.

On a length around middle and off, Usman Khan swings and gets an outside edge towards the third man region. The fielder fumbles a bit and that was enough for the batters to sneak an extra run here.

TWO WIDES! On a length, down the leg, Mohammad Nawaz shuffles across and looks to ramp but misses. The keeper fails to gather this cleanly as well and the batters take an extra run.

What an effort from Sikandar Raza at covers. On a length around off, Usman Khan looks to thump this past cover but hits it a bit too close to the fielder at cover. Raza dives to his right and gets a bit of hand to it, taking out the sting from it. Single taken.

Back of a length around off, Usman Khan goes on the back ffoot and attempts to cut it away but misses out.

Good length, slanting down the leg, Mohammad Nawaz misses out on the flick and is hit on the pads.

SIX! That was much needed here for Pakistan. On a length around middle and leg, Mohammad Nawaz clears his front foot from the line of the delivery and smashes this up and over the long on fence for a biggie.

Good length on off, Usman looksto cut this late but gets it chopped off the under edge towards the right of the keeper for one.

On a length on off, Mohammad Nawaz pushes this through cover for a single.

Good length on off, Mohammad Nawaz dabs this around cover for no run.

Good length on the pads, Usman Khan flicks this to deep square leg for one.

Mohammad Nawaz walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! On a length, going down the leg, Fakhar Zaman looks to get cheeky and ramp it over short fine leg after shuffling across the stumps. FZ ends up with a clip into the hands of the keeper. Brendan Taylor moves to his right and takes a good low catch to send Fakhar Zaman back.

FOUR! Fakhar Zaman is stepping up on the accelerator once again here. Short and wide of off, Fakhar Zaman plays this behind his body and guides this over short third for four here.

Zimbabwe's Richard Ngarava, who took a bit of a knock, has received treatment and is looking to continue his good work.

Back of a length on middle and off, Fakhar Zaman thumps this straight back to the bowler in a flash. Richard Ngarava tries to get away from the flight of it but fails and gets hit on his bowling arm. The ball deflects towards mid-wicket off Ngarava's arm and the batters take two.

Good length, wide of off, Fakhar Zaman tentatively pokes at it but gets beaten.

Back of a length on middle and off, Usman Tariq rolls this to long on for one.

Good length, around off, Usman Khan cuts this to deep point for a couple here.

FOUR! Fakhar Zaman is on the move and how, here in Pindi. Tossed up on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman swings and connects right from the middle of his bat. Hits this in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on and adds four more to his tally.

Short of a length on middle and off, Usman Khan goes deep and looks to slap it away but gets it toe-poked to mid on for a single.

Quicker one, onto the pads, Usman Khan tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman flicks it away for one.

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Flighted around the pads, Fakhar Zaman clears his front foot from the line of the delivery and slogs this deep into the crowd towards the long on region for a huge six.

Tossed up, onto the pads, Fakhar Zaman works this gently through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Good length on the pads, Fakhar Zaman nudges this through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Now that's some strike from the southpaw. Pitched up, around middle and off, Fakhar Zaman stays leg side to it and flat bats it up and over the fielder at long off fence for a massively hit six.

LEG BYE! Slower one, going down the leg, Usman Khan jumps down the track and looks to flick it away but misses out and deflects it off his pads to short mid-wicket for a leg bye.

Good length wide of off, Fakhar Zaman guides this through backward point for one.

Low full toss, on off, Fakhar Zaman rolls this to the right of Brad Evans at extra cover and sets off for a suicidal single. Brad Evans throws it in a hurry towardsthe non-striker's end and misses by some margin, allowing an extra here.

On a length around middle and leg, Usman Tariq works this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up, on the pads, Usman flicks this through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Another boundary from the bat of Usman Khan. Short of a length on middle and leg, Usman Khan goes deep inside the crease and pulls it over the fielder at mid-wicket for a boundary.

BYE! Tossed up, wide of off, Fakhar Zaman looks to loft this over cover but misses out. The keeper fails to gather this cleanly as well and the batters take a bye as the ball is deflected to short third.

Quicker and flatter on middle and leg, Usman Khan rolls this to long on for one.

Fuller on the pads, Fakhar Zaman works this through mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Usman Khan flicks this through square leg for one. This one kept low but Usman did well to flick it away.

Fuller, on the pads, Usman Khan nudges this to short fine leg for one.

Quicker one, on off. Usman cuts it to point.

FOUR! Usman is looking in good touch. Short of a length on middle and off, Usman Khan plants his front foot away from the line of the delivery and pulls this flat and into the gap towards the cow corner for four.

Flipper on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman smashes this down to long on for one.

Short of a length on middle and off, Usman Khan goes deep inside the crease and pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fired on off, Usman Khan blocks it out.

Short and into the batter, Usman Khan nudges this through mid-wicket for one.

Darted into the batter, Fakhar Zaman nudges this through mid-wicket for one.

Quicker one, wide outside off, Fakhar Zaman swings and misses.

Fired onto the pads, going down the leg. Fakhar Zaman looks to gently tuckt his around mid-wicket but misses out and is hit on the pads.

Pushed through, down the leg, Usman Khan comes inside the line and just tickles this fine towards the fine leg region for three here.

Floated around off, Fakhar Zaman plays this late and guides this through point for one.

Flatter googly, drifted down the leg. Usman Khan lets it go.

Looped up full, around off. Zaman lifts it toward the wide long-off region and sharp work in the deep keeps it to a single.

Short and wide outside off. Usman Khan cuts it to deep cover for a single to get off the mark.

Drinks Break! After posting a modest score, Zimbabwe have been clinical with the ball, taking regular wickets to reduce Pakistan to 54/4 in the 10th over. With the momentum firmly on their side, Zimbabwe will look to keep up the pressure and continue taking wickets. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need a solid partnership to stabilize the chase and get back on track. Also, Usman Khan comes into bat at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! SAIM AYUB HOLES OUT! Graeme Cremer gets the big fish! Tosses it very full, attacking the stumps. Ayub sits low and slogs it off the cue end toward the deep mid-wicket region. Tashinga Musekiwa, there, takes a good catch and Pakistan lose their fourth.

Shortish googly, around off. Zaman steers it toward point for one.

Flatter leggie, turning into the middle and leg. Ayub goes back and works it toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

Graeme Cremer comes into the attack.

Tossed up full, on off. Ayub eases the drive to long-off for a single.

Flatter, around off. Zaman knocks it through the gap at covers for a single.

Tad short, around off. Ayub cuts it to deep point for one.

Flatter and quicker arm ball, angled in, and goes past the leg pole. Ayub swings and misses.

NO BALL! Flatter arm ball, drifting onto the pad. Zaman nudges it toward backward square leg for one. Raza has overstepped here. No Ball given. Free hit coming up.

Shortish on the middle. Ayub pulls it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

TWO LEG BYES! Flatter arm ball, angled into the leg pole. Ayub goes back for the pull, but gets the under-edge that rolls toward fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

Flatter and quicker on off. Ayub hangs back and punches it past the bowler toward long-off for a single.

Tossed up full, just outside off. Ayub gets across, looking to sweep but misses, and gets hit in front. Appeal from the bowler but turned down.

Flatter on the leg. Zaman nudges it toward backward square leg for a single.

Flighted full, and angled into the middle. Ayub pushes it off the outer half toward the deep point region for a single.

Tossed up full, on off. Zaman pushes this to long-off for one.

Fuller and quicker, just outside off. Zaman hits it on the bounce to the man at short extra cover.

FOUR! SMASHED! Tad short, on the middle. Ayub goes back and hammers the pull toward the wide long-on region for a thumping hit.

Flatter on the middle. Zaman turns it toward mid-wicket and takes one.

Tossed up full, on off. Ayub eases it to long-off for a single.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Zaman nudges it toward backward square leg for one.

Fuller and drifted down the leg. Zaman glances it to fine leg for a couple.

Tosses it on a length and spins away around off. Zaman pushes at it and does not connect.

Back of a length delivery, around off. Zaman steers it toward the deep point region for a single.

Fuller than a good length, around off. Zaman drives it off the cue end toward mid-off.

Fakhar Zaman walks in at number 5.

OUT! LBW! Tinotenda Maposa gets the Pakistan skipper! Another appeal from Zimbabwe, and up goes the finger. Yorker length delivery, attacking the stumps. Salman tries to keep it out, but it hits the toe before getting in contact with the bat. Salman is unsure and takes the review. The ultra-edge shows it as hitting the pad first, and the ball tracking shows Three Reds. The on-field decision of OUT stays. Pakistan are three down.

Back of a length and outside off. Ayub slashes the cut to the man at deep point for a single.

Fuller than a good length and pushed across the batter. Ayub gets on the front foot to drive, but gets the outside edge that rolls on the bounce to the short third fielder.

Short of a good length, just outside off. Ayub comes forward and pushes it toward the extra cover fielder.

Back of a length on off. Ayub gets on top of the bounce and drops this into the off-side for one.

Short of a good length, on the middle. Salman gets across and works it through square leg for a single.

Salman Agha comes in at number 4.

OUT! LBW! Second wicket in the over for Evans, and it's a big one! Huge appeal from the bowler and up goes the finger. Evans bowls a skiddy, good-length delivery, nips back into the middle and leg stump line. Babar Azam looks to flick it across the line, but misses and gets pinned in front. Babar has a word with Ayub and sends it upstairs. The ball tracking shows it as clipping the leg pole, and the on-field decision of OUT stays. Babar Azam departs for a duck. Pakistan are two down.

Fuller than a length, on off. Babar Azam comes forward and slices the drive to the man at backward point.

PEACH! Good length delivery, just outside off, and seams late to beat the defence of Babar Azam.

Babar Azam comes in at number 3.

OUT! TIMBER! Brad Evans draws first blood! Good length delivery, jags back into the middle and leg stump line. Sahibzada Farhan makes room and looks to defend but the ball sneaks through the gap and rattles the stumps. Pakistan lose their first wicket in the chase.

SIX! ALL THE WAY! Back of a length, angled into the hip. Ayub gets inside the line and helps it over the man at long leg for a maximum. He was looking for a similar shot on the previous ball, but connected well on this one.

Ouch! Short of a length, angled into the middle. Ayub gets inside the line and tries to help it over fine leg, but the ball has some extra bounce and hits Ayub around the grill of his helmet. The physio comes for a concussion check. Ayub looks fine, though, to carry on.  Luckily, the ball does not roll onto the stumps.

Back of a length, on off. Ayub shapes up to pull over mid-wicket but changes his mind and dabs it toward backward point.

Pace off on a length, and just outside off. Ayub looks to cut and misses.

WIDE! Good length delivery angled down the leg. Ayub gets inside the line, and looks to flick but does not connect. Wide given.

BYE! Short of a good length, it jags back sharply into the middle and beats Farhan on the inside edge. A fumble from the keeper, Taylor, allows them to take a bye.

FOUR! UP AND AWAY! Fuller than a good length and plenty of width outside off. Farhan slashes hard and carves it toward the deep backward point region for four runs.

Back of a length, nips back into the middle. Ayub hops and cuts it toward the man at the backward point.

Nicely bowled! Good length delivery, angled in, and moves away late to beat the outside edge of Ayub once again.

Short of a good length, shapes away, and goes close to the outside edge of Ayub.

Back of a length, around off. Ayub hangs back and cuts it toward the deep third region for a couple.

Fuller than a length, just outside off. Ayub drives it gently past the bowler and toward mid-off.

Full-length delivery on the pad. Farhan flicks it off the cue end toward deep square leg for one.

Brad Evans comes into the attack.

Low full toss on the leg. Farhan clips it toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, on the middle and leg. Farhan pulls it off the inner half, toward the long leg region and gets back for the second.

Good length delivery, attacking the sticks. Farhan defends it back to the bowler.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Overpitched outside off. Farhan leans into the drive and hammers it through the gap at extra cover and mid-off for a cracking boundary.

Full-length delivery on off. Farhan drills it hard and to the left of the bowler, who makes half a stop in his follow-through.

Pitched full, on off. Ayub drives it gently toward the gap at extra cover for a single.

Tinotenda Maposa will share the attack.

Back of a length, angling across the batter. Farhan reaches for it and mistimes the cut to the extra cover fielder.

FOUR! OVER THE TOP! Fuller than a length, just outside off. Farhan picks it early and lifts it over the infield toward long-off for a lovely boundary.

Back of a length, just outside off. Farhan rides the bounce and punches it toward the extra cover fielder.

Short of a good length, just outside off. Farhan gets on top of the bounce and stabs this into the off-side.

Short of a good length and seams away, around off. Farhan throws his bat at it, looking to cut but fails to connect.

Back of a length, aronud off. Farhan rides the bounce and knocks this into covers.

A dot to end the innings. Zimbabwe have posted 147 after 20 overs. Back of the hand, slower one, on off. Sikandar Raza swings and misses again. The batters decide against taking on Usman Khan, who gathers this behind the stumps.

SIX! JAW-DROPPING! Good length around off, Sikandar Raza shimmies down the track and swings at it. Connects well and clears the long on fence for a huge six. He has picked the bones out of it.

Full toss, around off, Sikandar Raza stays leg side to it and looks to tonk this down the ground. Raza gets it away off the bottom of his bat and it just lobs behind Salman Agha at mid off for a couple.

On a length wide of off, Sikandar Raza swings and misses again.

Cutter, back of a length around off. Sikandar Raza looks to drag this with a pull around mid-wicket but misses.

FOUR! Just helps it away for four. Shaheen comes round the wicket and bowls a length delivery, angling down the leg. Sikandar Raza gets inside the line of it and just flicks it over short fine leg for a boundary.

On a length around off, Sikandar Raza cuts this to deep point for one. Raza will keep strike at the start of the last over.

FOUR! Raza lofts this over cover for four. Full and wide of off, Sikandar Raza plants his back foot deep inside the crease and smashes this up and over the fielder at cover for a boundary.

WIDE! Full and way outside off, Sikandar Raza leaves it. Wided.

Full and wide, angling away from the batter. Sikandar Raza swings and misses. Raza was looking to hit this over cover but fails to get anything on it.

On a length on middle and leg, Richard Ngarava rolls this to long on for a single.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Zimbabwe slumps further as they lose their 8th wicket with just 128 on the board. Cutter, into the surface, on off, Tinotenda Maposa looks to play across the line and swings for the stands but connects only with thin air. The ball goes past him and shatters the stumps.

On a length around middle and leg, Tinotenda Maposa thumps this on the bounce to short cover.

Low full toss, on the pads, Sikandar Raza flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple here.

Back of a length around off, Sikandar Raza swings and misses.

Full and on the pads, Tinotenda Maposa flicks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tinotenda Maposa walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shaheen comes round the wicket, hits the deck hard and bowls it into the batter, cramping him for any sort of room. Brad Evans looks to flick his around mid-wicket again but this time he ends up closing the bat face early and chipping this straight to mid off. Salman Agha settles himself well underneath this and takes it nice and easy.

WIDE! On a length, wide down the leg. Brad Evans shuffles across and looks to ramp but misses. Wided.

Good length on the pads, Brad Evans goes to flick this around mid-wicket but hits it high on his bat and rolls it back to the bowler.

Back of a length around off, Sikandar Raza pushes this through cover for one.

Short of a length on the pads, Brad Evans dabs this around the keeper's left for no run.

Fuller down the leg, Sikandar Raza flicks this through square leg for one.

Tossed up on the pads, Brad Evans rolls this to long on for one.

Quicker one, around off, Sikandar Raza dabs this around point and takes one.

Fuller, on the pads, Brad Evans pushes this towards the bowlers right for one.

Brad Evans walks out next.

OUT! TIMBER! Tashinga Musekiwa fails to read a googly from Abrar Ahmed that turns back into the stumps and he is beaten all ends up. The ball sneaks past the batter and rattles the timber behind Musekiwa.

Tossed up on middle and off, Tashinga Musekiwa rolls this to long off for a single.

Fuller around middle and leg, Sikandar Raza works this in the gap for one.

Quicker one, on off, Sikandar Raza blocks.

FOUR! As straight as an arrow for four. Fuller, around middle and off, Sikandar Raza stays leg side to it and smashes this up and over the bowler for a boundary towards the sight screen.

Tossed up on off, Tashinga Musekiwa pushes this through mid off for one.

Tashinga Musekiwa walks out next.

OUT! TONY IS RUN OUT! This is not what the Chevrons wanted at this stage. Fuller, on the pads, Tony Munyonga sweeps it to Salman Mirza at short fine leg and sets off for a single but is sent back by Sikandar Raza. Tony Munyonga is slow to turn and get back inside the crease and is found short of his crease as Usman removes the bails at the striker's end.

Flighted around off, Tony Munyonga slog it grounded towards deep mid-wicket and takes another single.

Fuller on off, Sikandar Raza moves away from the stumps and rolls this to long off for one.

Fuller on the pads, Tony Munyonga hits this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Short of a length on off, Sikandar Raza goes deep inside the crease and punches this to long on for one.

Tossed up, on the pads. Tony Munyonga sweeps it to backward square leg for a single.

Fuller around off, Sikandar Raza smashes this to sweeper cover for a single.

Tony Munyonga walks out next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ryan Burl, in the quest to up the ante, perishes. Flighted wide outside off, Ryan Burl steps across and looks to slog sweep this towards the deep mid-wicket region but the ball spins a shade after pitching and Ryan's bat tilts in his hands at the time of contact with the ball. The ball hangs high over Babar Azam at long on and Babar makes no mistake an holds onto it.

FOUR! Burl connects one well and finds the gap for four. Tossed up, wide of off, Ryan Burl goes down on a knee and smashes this down the ground towards the right of the fielder at long on for a boundary.

Pushed through on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza goes deep inside the crease and flicks this through square leg for a single.

Fuller on off, Ryan Burl drills this to long off for a single.

Much slower, around off. Ryan Burl steps across and looks to slog this around mid-wicket but misses out.

Flighted around off, Ryan Burl slaps this to deep cover for a couple.

Pushed through on off, Sikandar Raza dabs this to short third for no run.

Floated around off, Ryan Burl cuts this to backward point for one.

Quicker one, around off. Ryan Burl punches this to cover.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza flicks this to wide long on for one.

Fuller aroundoff, Sikandar Raza goes deep in the creaseand works this in the gap on off for a couple.

Sikandar Raza walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Carrom-ball, from Saim Ayub, does the trick for him and Pakistan as Brian Bennett perishes one short of his half-century. BB fails to read the carrom ball and plays for the one coming in with the arm. Gets a leading edge straight back to the bowler.

Tossed up, around off, turning back into the batter. Ryan Burl swings for the stands but misses out. The ball wasn't far from the stumps as Usman Khan collects it behind the stumps.

Fuller on off, Brian Bennett drills this down to long off for a single.

Short and wide of off, Brian Bennett cuts this through point for a couple of runs.

Tossed up, wide of off, Brian Bennett goes down on a knee and looks to slog sweep it but misses.

Floated around off, Brian Bennett pushes this back to the bowler.

Arm-delivery, on off. Brian Bennett blocks it out.

Promotion for Ryan Burl as he comes ahead of the skipper Sikandar Raza.

OUT! BRENDAN TAYLOR IS RUN OUT! Quicker one, on the pads, Brendan Taylor manages to flick this off the inside of his bat towards the right of deep square leg and he looks to take on the arm of Babar Azam. Tha Pakistan Ace batter collects the ball and throws it on the bounce to the keeper and Usman Khan removes the bails ina flash with Taylor out of his crease at the strikers end.

Fired around middle and off, Brendan Taylor gets an inside edge onto the pads for no run.

Tossed up, wide of off, Brendan Taylor goes down on a knee and looks to slog sweep it but misses out.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg. Brendan Taylor swings and misses. Wided.

Fired onto the pads, Brendan Taylor goes for the sweep but misses out and is hit on the pads again.

Floated into the batter, around off. Brendan Taylor misses out on the flick and is hit on the pads.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Brian Bennett goes deep inside the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

DRINKS! Zimbabwe are off to a solid start, cruising at 88/1 at the halfway mark. They’ll aim to build on this platform and push past 200. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to tighten the screws with quick wickets and some disciplined bowling.

Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Taylor sweeps this toward fine leg for a brace.

Fuller arm ball, angled into the middle. Bennett knocks it off the inner half toward mid-on for a single.

On a length, around off. Taylor knocks it toward deep cover for a single.

On a length, on off. Taylor knocks this back to the bowler.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Taylor moves across and scoops it toward fine leg for a couple.

Flatter on off. Bennett punches it to long-off for a single.

FOUR! Streaky, but Taylor will take it. Floated wrong'un, on the middle and leg. Taylor sits low for the sweep, gets the top edge that flies down to fine leg for a lucky boundary.

Tossed up googly, on the middle. Taylor prods and defends forward.

Flighted full, around off. Taylor goes for the sweep and fails to connect. Usman Khan is quick to take off the bails and appeals for stumping, that has been sent upstairs. The TV umpire has a look and confims that the foot was well grounded. NOT OUT comes on the big screen.

FOUR! CHEEKY AND EFFECTIVE! Tossed up full, around off. Taylor reverses it through the gap at the backward point and the short third region for a clever boundary.

A lovely googly, turning in, just outside off. Taylor prods and gets beaten on the inside edge. That was close to clipping the off-stump.

Tossed up leggie, just outside off. Bennett looks to drive, gets the outside edge that rolls to short third for a quick single.

Brendan Taylor comes in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Nawaz gets the much-needed wicket. A low full toss on the middle and leg. Marumani sits low and heaves it toward the deep backward square leg region. Shaheen Afridi runs around the ropes and takes a sharp catch, just inches inside the boundary. A handy knock from Marumani ends. Zimbabwe lose their first after a solid opening stand.

Fuller on the pad. Bennett turns it toward short fine leg for a single.

Very full, around off. Marumani squeezes it to to the left of the short third fielder for one.

Short and wide outside off. Bennett camps back and cuts this to deep cover for a single.

On a shortish length, on off. Bennett goes back and cuts it to the man at point.

Flatter and turning in on off. Marumani goes back and pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Nawaz comes into the attack.

Floated full, on off. Bennett plays the reverse sweep and picks out the man at the backward point.

Fuller and quicker, on the middle and leg. Marumani looks to play the slog, gets it off the inner half to backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! FINDS THE GAP! Shortish again, on the middle and leg. Marumani pulls it in the gap at deep mid-wicket and deep square leg fielder for four runs.

Tad short, around off. Marumani swings and misses.

FOUR! LUCKY! Flatter and quicker, just outside off. Marumani goes back for the pull but gets the top edge that flies over the keeper for a streaky boundary.

Flatter leg break, angled into the middle and leg. Marumani looks to nudge it across the line, but misses and wears on the pad.

Abrar Ahmed gets the ball.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Drops it short, on off. Bennett goes back and pulls it hard toward the deep mid-wicket region, beating the fielder for another boundary to close out the over. Zimbabwe are 59/0 at the end of the Powerplay.

Flatter and slower through the air, around off. Bennett makes room and lofts it toward the deep extra cover region for a couple.

FOUR! TOO EASY! Tossed up full, drifting onto the pad. Bennett sits low and swipes it to the deep backward square leg region for a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani.

Flatter and around off. Dabbed through the gap at point for a single.

Floated full, on the middle. Marumani looks to slog it again but gets the inside edge onto the pad.

SIX! BANG! Tossed up full, on off. Marumani gets on his knee and slogs it cleanly over the deep mid-wicket boundary for an 86m massive hit.

Saim Ayub comes into the attack next.

FOUR! SMASHED! Slower length ball, around off. Bennett picks it early and hammers the pull through wide of mid-on for a thumping boundary.

Back of a length, angled into the middle. Bennett pulls it on the bounce to the man at mid-wicket.

Slight Halt. Brian Bennett gets a change of bat. Let's hope he hits some off the middle of his blade.

Good length delivery on the middle. Marumani tucks it toward mid-wicket for one.

Pitched full, around off. Bennett drives it toward mid-off and takes a single.

FOUR! Not from the middle, but gets enough to reach the boundary. Slower ball on the full, around off. Bennett hits it off the cue end, goes over the bowler, and through mid-on for four runs.

Short of a good length, around off. Marumani runs it down to deep third for a single.

Faheem Ashraf comes into the attack.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Banged in short, on off. Bennett takes on the short ball and hooks it toward the long leg region. One bounce and over the ropes.

Pitched full, around off. Marumani drives it toward mid-off and takes on for a quick single.

Fuller than a good length, a hint of swing, around off. Marumani has a wild swing at it and fails to connect.

Back of a length, outside off. Marumani drags the pull shot to the man at mid-wicket.

FOUR! PUT AWAY! Back of a length, angled into the middle and leg. Marumani goes back quickly and pulls it in the gap at mid-wicket. The ball races away to the ropes in a flash.

Yorker length ball, on off. Marumani jams it toward short extra cover.

Back of a length on off, Brian Bennett swings at it but gets beaten again.

PEACH! Good length, around middle and leg, and it lands on the seam and nips back into the batter sharply. Brian Bennett is beaten all ends up but luckily for him, the ball just goes over the leg stump.

Full and shaping away from off, Tadiwanashe Marumani hits it off the bottom of his bat towards the right of mid off for one.

Back of a length on off, Tadiwanashe Marumani pushes this to cover for no run.

Shaheen comes round the wicket, attacks the stumps. Brian Bennett punts this to mid off and rotates strike.

Good length on off, Brian Bennett cuts this behind square on off for a couple.

Fuller than a length, just outside off. Bennett goes at it with hard hands, gets the outside edge that rolls to deep third for a single.

Fuller than a length, around off. Bennett looks to drive and misses.

Pitched full, around off. Bennett drives and picks out the man at cover.

FOUR! In the air and in the gap! Fuller than a length, around off. Bennett slices the drive in the gap at the point and the backward point region for a lovely boundary.

Pace off on a length and angled across the batter. Bennett pushes at it but fails to connect.

Good length delivery, pushed across the batter. Bennett has a poke at it and misses.

Salman Mirza will share the attack.

Good length, angled back into the stumps. Marumani clips it between the short fine leg and the deep backward square leg for a couple.

Leading edge but safe! Fuller than a length, on the middle and leg. Marumani looks to flick it across the line, gets a leading edge wide of the mid-off fielder for a couple.

Yorker length delivery in the blockhole. Bennett makes room and squeezes it to deep third for a single.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Fuller than a good length, well outside off. Bennett reaches for it and finds the gap through the covers for another boundary.

Fuller than a length and pushed across the batter, around off. Bennett looks to drive and misses.

FOUR! Zimbabwe are away! Full-length delivery angled across the batter. Bennett goes for the drive, gets the outside edge that runs down to the deep third region for a streaky boundary.

We are all set for the action to begin. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani are taking to the field for Zimbabwe, facing off against Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi, who's ready to bowl the first over.

PITCH REPORT - Bazid Khan and Ramiz Raja are at the pitchside. Bazid says the pitch comes across as slightly tacky. Adds that under the usual conditions, they’d expect a gentle sheen, but at the moment, the ball may hold up in the surface. Ramiz Raja mentions that should the dew arrive, it could allow the ball to come onto the bat more freely. Closes by sharing that the cold conditions will also influence how the pitch behaves.

Zimbabwe's captain, Sikandar Raza, is making the most of this unexpected series opportunity, seeing it as a blessing in disguise ahead of the World Cup. He's keeping his focus on the present match, while also eyeing the bigger picture. Raza describes the Rawalpindi pitch as slower than usual, likely due to the recent Test matches played here. He's not too concerned about dew, stating it's beyond their control.

Pakistan's captain, Salman Agha, has decided to bowl first, citing the wicket as a bit slow and not typical of Pindi tracks. He's also confident that there won't be any dew, which could impact the game. Salman Agha says he is optimistic about his team's chances, given their recent winning streak. However, he'll be missing key players Usman Tariq, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim in this contest.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (C), Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor (WK), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Graeme Cremer, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha (C), Usman Khan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.

TOSS - Pakistan have won the toss and they have decided to BOWL first.

So, who will set the tone in this opening clash, Pakistan or Zimbabwe? Let’s find out. Toss and team news coming up shortly. Stay tuned! 

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are captained by Sikandar Raza. Their batting core features Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and veteran Brendan Taylor, while the bowling duties will revolve around Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, and Graeme Cremer. They will, however, miss Blessing Muzarabani, who has been ruled out due to injury; Newman Nyamhuri steps in to replace him. The Chevrons face a stern challenge but will be eager to show resilience and put up a spirited fight. 

Pakistan will be led by Salman Ali Agha in this format, with an explosive batting lineup that includes Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, and Babar Azam. Their bowling attack looks equally potent, spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Abrar Ahmed. All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz add valuable depth and balance as the Men in Green aim for a strong start to the series. 

Hello, and a warm welcome to our coverage of the T20I Tri-Series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. We kick things off with Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Zimbabwe enter the series after a tough 3–0 home defeat to Afghanistan, while Pakistan arrive with confidence following a series win against South Africa.

…MATCHDAY…

Get ready for the Pakistan T20 Tri-Series 2025 between Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and the hosts Pakistan in a double round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final. The hosts will take on the spirited Zimbabwe side at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in the first game of this series. The Green Shirts are historically dominant against Zimbabwe in T20s and will be looking to maintain that winning streak on home soil. Momentum is firmly with the home side, as they come into the tournament having secured a competitive 2-1 T20 series victory over South Africa last month, a performance that saw young opener Saim Ayub impress with two half-centuries. The big news for Pakistan is the return of star batter Babar Azam and pace spearhead Naseem Shah, who will bolster a side that already has in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan at the top of the batting charts. Zimbabwe, led by captain Sikandar Raza, know they have a tough assignment but will be focused on adapting quickly to the Rawalpindi conditions. Their recent T20 form, however, is a concern, as they suffered a comprehensive 3-0 clean sweep against Afghanistan in their last series. Despite the recent setback, their batting line-up, featuring the in-form Brian Bennett, who has been phenomenal, alongside experienced hands like Ryan Burl and Brendan Taylor. They will need to fire on all cylinders to challenge the strong Pakistan bowling unit. The battle in the middle will likely be decided by the bowlers. Pakistan's attack, featuring the pace and swing of the returning Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, is formidable, but they will rely heavily on the spin of Mohammad Nawaz, who has been their leading wicket-taker. For Zimbabwe, the key to timely breakthroughs rests with Richard Ngarava and their crucial all-round threat, Raza and Ryan Burl. Pakistan, with the homecoming of their star players and an already settled core of performers like Salman Agha and Fakhar Zaman, are the clear favorites in this opener, carrying the confidence from their recent T20 series win against South Africa. However, Zimbabwe possesses enough individual talent in Bennett and Raza to cause an upset if the hosts are complacent. If the visitors' top order can handle the early pace barrage from Afridi and Shah, we could have a competitive contest.