Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in opening T20I of tri-nation series

The tri-nation T20 series between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe began in Rawalpindi today, with Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe.

Pakistani middle-order won the match, as Fakhar Zaman led the team to finish the job with his 44 runs with the help of Usman Khan, who scored 37 runs, to chase the target of 148 runs.

Once Fakhar was out, Nawaz, who took two wickets earlier, showed grit with his valuable 21 runs toward the end with four balls remaining to ensure the win for Pakistan in the opening T20I of the series.

Spinner Mohammad Nawaz led Pakistani bowlers as he took two wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Saim Ayub, and Abrar managed to take a wicket each.

Opener Brian Bennett was the highest scorer for Zimbabwe with 49 runs and Tadiwanashe Marumani also scored 30 before leaving the pitch.

Sikandar Raza supported the collapsing batting order with his unbeaten 34 runs that contributed to a score of 147/8 for Zimbabwe.

Pakistan elected to filed first after winning the toss in the opening match in a cold weather on a slow pitch.

Pakistan elected to filed first after winning the toss in the opening match in a cold weather on a slow pitch.

All the matches of the series will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

In the current Twenty20 season, Pakistan won the tri-nation T20 series played in the United Arab Emirates and the bilateral T20 series against South Africa while playing the final of the Asia Cup.

Pakistan T20 team captain Salman Ali Agha says that this tri-nation series is scheduled at the right time for Pakistan.

"It will provide an opportunity to play continuous cricket against two good teams in the group and will provide an opportunity to further refine our T20 planning before the important ICC Men's T20 World Cup to be held next year.

"We have shown encouraging performance in recent months. Won the tri-nation series in Sharjah. Qualified for the Asia Cup final and won the white-ball series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. The team showed excellent discipline in the ODI series against Sri Lanka and we are hopeful of carrying that momentum into this series. We have seen great support for the home side from the Rawalpindi fans and we are expecting a high-quality match in this series as well.," he said that the press conference on Monday.

Pakistan and Zimbabwe have played 21 T20 Internationals, of which Pakistan won 18 while Zimbabwe won three.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played 24 T20 Internationals, of which Pakistan won 14 and Sri Lanka has won 10.

The Pakistani squad consists of Salman Ali Agha (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Muhammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Wasim Junior, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq. T

The second match is on November 20, Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe, the third match will be played on November 22, Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, the fourth match on November 23, Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe, the fifth match on November 25, Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka, the sixth match on November 27, Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, while the final will be played on November 29.

Pakistan XI
Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed.

Zimbabwe XI
Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt.), Bradley Evans, Brendan Taylor (wk), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Graeme Cremer, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava.