ZCZC
BSP-27
CRICKET-ZIM-PAK
Pakistan knocks hosts Zimbabwe out of T20I series
HARARE, July 4, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Pakistan knocked Zimbabwe out of the
Twenty20 tri-series in Harare in a closely-fought encounter on Wednesday,
beating the hosts by seven wickets with five deliveries to spare.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed saw his side home with an unbeaten 38, meaning that
Zimbabwean allrounder Solomon Mire’s efforts earlier in the game went in
vain.
Mire struck 94, the highest score by a Zimbabwean in a Twenty20
international, but Zimbabwe’s 162 for 4 was not enough to overcome the
world’s top ranked T20I side.
Pakistan’s chase was given a rapid start by the openers.
Haris Sohail and Fakhar Zaman took 56 from the Powerplay, but Sohail holed
out soon afterwards.
When Zaman skied Mire to depart for 47, Pakistan needed more than eight
runs an over from the last eight overs, but Ahmed’s innings of calm precision
kept them up with the asking rate.
Executing his attacking strokes perfectly, Ahmed found the gaps and the
boundaries whenever they were needed.
He displayed a particularly deft touch with his late cut, taking
boundaries off left-arm spinners Tendai Chisoro and Wellington Masakadza with
the stroke.
With four runs needed from the final over, it was also the shot he used to
end the game, gliding seamer Chris Mpofu to the third man boundary.
Pakistan will face Australia to decide the series’ winner on Thursday.
BSS/AFP/SG/1807 HRS