Rawalpindi, November 18, 2025 – Pakistan kicked off the T20I tri-series tournament with a tense five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday. The hosts successfully chased a modest target of 148, securing the win with four balls to spare, thanks to a crucial middle-order recovery.
The victory, achieved in front of a spirited Rawalpindi crowd, gives Pakistan a vital winning start in the competition.
Key Match Highlights
• Zimbabwe’s Innings: After electing to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a total of 147 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani got the team off to a flyer, racing to 72 in 8 overs, including 59 in the powerplay.
• Pakistan’s Spinners Dominate: Pakistan’s bowlers, especially the spinners, staged a terrific comeback. Mohammad Nawaz (2/22) turned the game by dismissing Marumani (30). The spinners squeezed the scoring rate and took regular wickets in the middle overs, preventing Zimbabwe from capitalizing on the good start. Sikandar Raza’s cameo of 34 runs provided some late resistance.
• Pakistan’s Chase: Chasing 148, Pakistan’s innings hit a snag when bowler Brad Evans struck twice in the fourth over, removing Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam. However, the middle order, featuring Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, chipped in with crucial runs to guide the team to victory in the final over.
⭐ Mohammad Nawaz Named Player of the Match
Pakistan’s all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz, was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance with both bat and ball.
“I’m pleased to start the series on a winning note. This victory will boost the team’s confidence,” said Nawaz. He acknowledged the assistance the pitch offered to the spinners and emphasized the importance of staying on top of the game in T20 cricket where momentum shifts quickly.
Post-Match Reaction
Pakistan’s Skipper, Salman Agha, admitted it was a close contest and that the team didn’t start well with either batting or bowling. He praised the spin unit for consistently performing under pressure.
“The spinners helped the team get back into the game. We’re satisfied with the win, but we must be ruthless in upcoming matches,” Agha commented.
Zimbabwe Captain, Sikandar Raza, felt his team was 10-15 runs short of a competitive total, suggesting they should have posted around 160.
“Pakistan’s quality spinners made it tough for us. We had more positives than negatives tonight, but we need to work on consistency and find solutions to cross the finish line,” Raza stated.
Up Next in the Tri-Series
The next game of the T20I Tri-Series, 2025, will be played between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 1 pm GMT.