T20I Tri-Series: Pakistan set up final with Australia after Zimbabwe win

Visitors chase down 163-run target with five balls and seven wickets to spare

Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fourth match of the T20I Tri-Series in Harare on Wednesday to set up a final clash with Australia on July 8.

Pakistan’s win means that hosts Zimbabwe no longer have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the final, while Australia, who face Pakistan in the dead-rubber on Thursday, have also made it into the final.

Chasing the target of 163 runs, openers Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail provided Pakistan a good platform with an opening stand of 58 runs.

Zaman continued his good run of form in the series with another solid innings of 47 runs off 38 balls —with the help of four boundaries and a six, while Hussain Talat, who has struggled for runs in the recent past, contributed with a score of 44 runs.

Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed played an unbeaten cameo of 38 runs from just 21 balls to take Pakistan over the line.

Solomon Mire, Chris Mpofu and Wellington Masakadza picked up one wicket each for the home side.

Earlier, Zimbabwe had set Pakistan a target of 163 runs after they were asked to bat first.

Opener Mire played a brilliant knock of 94 runs off 63 balls with the help of six fours and half a dozen sixes. He was instrumental in setting the tone for the home side from the beginning of the innings and ensured that Zimbabwe posted a competitive total on the board.

For Pakistan, pacers Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Talat and leg-spinner Shadab Khan bagged one wicket apiece.

In the previous encounter between the two sides, Pakistan thumped Zimbabwe by 74 runs courtesy brilliant performances from left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman and young Asif Ali.