Karachi, December 4, 2024 – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the playing XI for the final T20I against Zimbabwe, scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024. The lineup includes Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha (captain), Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, and Sufiyan Muqeem.
Having already secured the three-match T20I series with a 2-0 lead, Pakistan is eager to complete a clean sweep against the hosts. The team will look to maintain its impressive form and finish the Zimbabwe tour on a high note before heading to South Africa for a challenging series.
Pakistan’s dominance in the series was evident in the second T20I played on Tuesday in Bulawayo. The visitors delivered a resounding 10-wicket victory, showcasing their strength in all departments. Wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem stole the show with a career-best performance, taking five wickets for just three runs. His magical spell dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting lineup, reducing them to a mere 57 runs in 12.4 overs.
Despite a promising start by Zimbabwe’s openers, Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16), Muqeem’s brilliance triggered a dramatic collapse, with the hosts losing their last 10 wickets for only 20 runs.
In response, Pakistan’s opening pair of Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf chased down the target with ease. Ayub hammered an unbeaten 36, while Yousuf contributed 22 not out, leading Pakistan to victory in just 5.3 overs.
This dominant win followed Pakistan’s 57-run triumph in the first T20I on Sunday, further solidifying their supremacy on the tour. The team also claimed a 2-1 victory in the preceding ODI series.
Speaking after the second T20I, captain Salman Ali Agha commended the team’s disciplined performance and hailed Muqeem’s stellar bowling. “Sufiyan’s spell was phenomenal. It’s always exciting to see young talent shine on the international stage,” Agha said.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza acknowledged his team’s struggles, emphasizing the need for learning and improvement. “We’ve been making repetitive mistakes, and it’s disappointing. We need to regroup and focus on long-term development,” Raza commented.
The final T20I presents Pakistan with an opportunity to seal a clean sweep, providing momentum ahead of their eight-match tour of South Africa, where they will face Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.