Pakistan and Zimbabwe are set to face off in the third and final T20I of the series today in Bulawayo. The toss is scheduled to take place at around 4:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time. Both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the three-match T20I series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the playing XI for this crucial match. 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. This team is eager to complete the series sweep, having already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.
The Pakistan team is keen to maintain its impressive form and finish the Zimbabwe tour on a high note before their challenging series against South Africa. Their dominance was evident in the second T20I played on Tuesday, where they delivered a resounding 10-wicket victory. The standout performer of the match was wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who produced a career-best performance, taking 5 wickets for just 3 runs. Muqeem’s spell was instrumental in dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting lineup, as they were bowled out for a mere 57 runs in just 12.4 overs.
Despite a promising start from Zimbabwe’s openers, Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16), Muqeem’s brilliance triggered a complete collapse, with Zimbabwe losing their last 10 wickets for just 20 runs. In reply, Pakistan’s opening pair of Saim Ayub and Omair Yousuf made light work of the chase. Ayub remained unbeaten on 36, while Yousuf added 22 not out, securing Pakistan’s victory in just 5.3 overs.
This commanding win followed Pakistan’s 57-run triumph in the first T20I, which further cemented their dominance on the tour. The team also emerged victorious in the preceding ODI series with a 2-1 win.
Speaking after the second T20I, captain Salman Ali Agha praised the team’s disciplined performance, particularly Muqeem’s spell. “Sufiyan’s performance was phenomenal. It’s always exciting to see young talent shine on the international stage,” Agha commented.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza acknowledged the team’s struggles, emphasizing the need for improvement. “We’ve made repeated mistakes, and it’s disappointing. We need to regroup and focus on long-term development,” Raza stated.
With the final T20I on the horizon, Pakistan has a golden opportunity to complete a clean sweep of the series, providing them with valuable momentum ahead of their upcoming eight-match tour to South Africa, where they will compete in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.