Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to enter T20I Tri-series final: Key stats
What's the story
Pakistan have secured a spot in the final of the ongoing T20I tri-series after defeating Zimbabwe by a whopping 69 runs on Sunday. The victory came after Pakistan posted an impressive total of 195/5 and then bowled out their opponents for just 126 runs. This is Pakistan's third consecutive win in the tournament, further solidifying their position at the top of the points table. Here are further details.
Batting brilliance
Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan shine with the bat
Opting to bat first, Pakistan got off to a solid start with Sahibzada Farhan continuing his good form from the previous match. He and Saim Ayub took Pakistan's score to 29/0 in no time. Even though Ayub was dismissed early, Farhan kept the momentum going by hitting two sixes in an over from Richard Ngarava during the powerplay. Babar Azam also contributed significantly to Pakistan's total, scoring a quickfire 74 runs. The two added 103 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Final flourish
Fakhar Zaman's explosive finish propels Pakistan's total
Though Pakistan lost a couple of wickets toward the end of their innings, Fakhar Zaman's explosive knock in the final over helped them cross the 190-run mark. Zaman scored 25 runs in that over, taking Pakistan to a commendable total of 195/5. This set a daunting target for Zimbabwe and put them on the back foot right from the start.
Bowling attack
Pakistan's bowlers dismantle Zimbabwe's batting order
Pakistan's bowlers made quick work of Zimbabwe's batting order, with Naseem Shah striking in the very first over. Mohammad Wasim also got into the act, sending Brian Bennett back to the pavilion in no time. Zimbabwe found themselves at a precarious 43/3 by the end of powerplay overs. The situation worsened for Zimbabwe when Sikandar Raza was dismissed for just 23 runs, further crippling their innings and paving way for Pakistan's victory.
Bowling prowess
Usman Tariq's hat-trick highlights Pakistan's bowling dominance
Usman Tariq was the star of Pakistan's bowling attack, taking a hat-trick by dismissing Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, and Wellington Masakadza on successive deliveries. He ended his spell with four wickets for just 18 runs. Ryan Burl tried to delay the inevitable with an unbeaten 67-run knock but it wasn't enough as Zimbabwe were bowled out for a mere 126 runs in response to Pakistan's massive total.
Farhan
7th T20I fifty for Farhan
After hitting a record-setting unbeaten 80 versus Sri Lanka in Match 3 of the T20I Tri-series on Saturday, Pakistan opener Farhan hit another rapid fifty. The aggressive Farhan smashed a 41-ball 63. In 33 T20Is, Farhan has raced to 825 runs at 25.78 (50s: 7). Versus Zimbabwe, Farhan has recorded 83 runs at 27.66 from three matches. Overall in T20s, he has bagged 4,323 runs from 142 matches at 34.30. This was his 28th T20 fifty (100s: 6).
Babar
Babar surpasses 1,500 T20I runs at home
With this knock of 74, Babar has raced to 4,392 runs from 134 matches at 39.56. This was his 38th fifty in T20Is (100s: 3). As per ESPNcricinfo, versus Zimbabwe, Babar has amassed 306 runs from 9 matches at 38.25. This was his 4th fifty versus Zimbabwe. In 45 home T20Is, Babar has surpassed 1,500 runs (1,530) at 43.71 (100s: 2, 50s: 12).
Records
Babar surpasses Kohli and equals Buttler in separate records
Babar equaled Virat Kohli in terms of the most fifties in T20Is. Kohli, who retired from T20 internationals in 2024, finished with 38 fifties. Babar also slammed his 38th fifty. Babar has raced to 11,499 runs in T20 cricket. He averages 42.90 from 326 T20s (315 innings) with the help of 11 hundreds and 95 fifties. Babar has 106 fifty-plus scores, surpassing Jos Buttler, who has hit 105 fifty-plus scores.
Tariq
4th Pakistan bowler with Men's T20I hat-trick
Playing his 38th T20 match, Tariq now owns 60 wickets. He averages 17 with his economy rate being 6.81, as per ESPNcricinfo. This was his 4th four-wicket haul in T20s. Notably, this was his 2nd T20I. He owns six wickets. Tariq is now the 4th Pakistan bowler with a hat-trick in Men's T20Is. He has joined the likes of Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain and Mohammad Nawaz.
Information
Zimbabwe's Raza chips in with an all-round show
Raza chipped in with an all-round show. With the ball, he picked 2/39 from 4 overs. He now owns 102 T20I wickets. With the bat, Raza scored 23 runs from 18 balls. He owns 2,846 runs at 25.63.
Burl
Burl surpasses 3,500 runs in T20s
Burl scored 67* from 49 balls with the help of 8 fours and 2 sixes. In 111 matches, he has raced to 1,848 runs at 25.66. This was his 4th T20I fifty. In 13 matches against Pakistan, he has scored 162 runs at 18. This was his maiden fifty against Pakistan. In 182 T20s, Burl now owns 3,530 runs at 30.69. This was his 12th T20 fifty.