Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the first T20 cricket match of the series, with Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqim taking 3 wickets each.
In the match played in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat. Pakistan scored 165 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and set a target of 166.
Zimbabwe innings
Chasing the target of 166 runs, Zimbabwe’s first wicket fell for 12 runs when Brian Bent returned to the pavilion on a score of 6, then the second wicket fell for 18. Zimbabwe’s third wicket fell for 77 runs when Maromani was run out after scoring 33 runs.
Zimbabwe’s fourth wicket fell for 87 runs and Ryan Burrell could only score 3 runs, after which the fifth wicket fell on 92 and the sixth wicket fell to captain Sikandar Raza on 95, he was dismissed after playing an innings of 39 runs. Then Wellington returned to the pavilion after scoring 5 runs on a total score of 102, after which two more players were dismissed on a total score of 107 and 108.
Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Muqim took 3, 3, Haris Rauf took two and Jahan Dad took one wicket.
Pakistan’s innings
Umair Yousuf and Saim Ayub opened the Pakistani innings. Pakistan had to suffer the first loss on a total score of 18 when Umair Yousuf was caught out after scoring 16 runs, Saim Ayub returned to the pavilion after scoring 24 runs on a total score of 57.
Usman Khan scored 39 runs on a total score of 91, while captain Salman Ali Agha scored 13 runs on a total score of 100.
Tayyab Tahir remained not out on 39 and Irfan Khan on 27 runs, while Richard Negrawa, Sikandar Raza, Wellington Masakadza and Ryan Burrell took one wicket each for Zimbabwe.
The Pakistani team is led by Salman Ali Agha, while Zimbabwe is led by Sikandar Raza. The second T20I between the two teams will be played on Tuesday and the third and final T20I on Thursday.
Playing XI of both teams:
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Saim Ayub, Umair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Muqim.
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ryan Burrell, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Todanashe Marumani, Tshenga Musikewa, Richard Ngarwa, Devon Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Wellington Masakadza.