A successful start: Aggressive Mukhtar impresses in five-wicket win

Opener, along with Shehzad, provided firepower to Pakistan against Zimbabwe.

LAHORE:

Mukhtar Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad struck whirlwind half-centuries to equal Pakistan’s best T20I opening stand of 142 runs, and in the process enabled the hosts to beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in the first T20I in a fitting celebration of the country’s return as international cricket hosts.

Pakistan were set a stiff target of 173 in front of a packed Gaddafi Stadium but Mukhtar, who was playing only his second international game, steadily hammered the bowlers without breaking much of a sweat. Such was his dominance that he was on 42 when Pakistan had scored 49 in four overs.

The pair managed to ease the pressure by scoring 71 in the powerplay. “I’m really happy that international cricket has returned after six years and I was adjudged the man of the match in the first fixture,” said Mukhtar about his innings. “The pressure to play in front of your own crowd was intense, but I forgot everything once I started hitting. I wanted to play aggressively and that’s what I did.”

As soon as they equalled Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal’s opening record in a T20, Shehzad fell to Williams on a personal score of 55, which came off 39 balls laced with six boundaries and a graceful six.

Mukhtar got out seven balls later after his 45-ball 83, which was studded with three sixes and 12 boundaries.

Going from 142 for no loss to 144-2 seemed to have a discouraging impact on the rest of the team, as Muhammad Hafeez (12), Shoaib Malik (seven) and Umar Akmal (four) made a hash of the run-chase, reducing Pakistan to 169-5 and needing four off four balls.

The outcome of the match was left to skipper Shahid Afridi, who hit the winning runs on his only delivery as Pakistan won with three balls to spare. Sarfraz Ahmed remained unbeaten on three as Graeme Cremer picked up two wickets while a solitary scalp each was taken by Sean Williams, Tinashe Panyangara and Brian Vitori.

Earlier, Zimbabwe managed to put up a solid show as they posted a tough total of 172-6 in their 20 overs, courtesy of quickfire knocks from skipper Elton Chigumbura and Hamilton Masakadza.

Chigumbura top-scored with 54 off 35 with the help of a six and eight boundaries, while Masakadza scored a 27-ball 43 aided with a six and seven strikes to the fence.

Muhammad Sami did reasonably well on his comeback as he picked up three wickets, while Wahab Riaz claimed two scalps.

“It was a good pitch to bat on, and once you got settled there were runs on it. Hopefully we would be able to put up a winning performance in the next game,” said Chigumbura. “It’s been great, the support was excellent throughout the game. Hopefully, the boys can enjoy these moments.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd,  2015.

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