Zimbabwe stun Pakistan in final T20I, avoid series whitewash

Debutant Tinotenda Maposa played a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final T20I of the three-match series at Queens Sports Club on Thursday, securing his team’s consolation win after a thrilling chase.

Maposa’s bowling figures of 1/12 earlier in the match were backed by a match-winning cameo of 12 not out, helping Zimbabwe reach their target in a tense finish.

The home team began their chase positively, reaching 73/1 in 9.3 overs, with opening batter Brian Bennet scoring 43 runs off 35 balls, including seven boundaries and a six.

However, Pakistan’s emerging spinner Sufiyan Muqeem broke the partnership by dismissing Bennet, and this triggered a middle-order collapse for Zimbabwe, who slipped to 94/5 in 14 overs.

Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza showed resistance, but his dismissal in the 18th over, followed by the removal of Wellington Masakadza, left the hosts needing 12 runs from the final over.

Maposa, on strike, sealed the win with a four and a six off Jahandad Khan’s first two deliveries, securing a dramatic two-wicket victory.

Earlier, Pakistan, opting to bat first, managed to score only 132/7 in their 20 overs. The visitors’ innings got off to a disastrous start, with opener Omair Bin Yousuf falling for a golden duck. The team quickly found themselves at 19/3 after losing two more wickets in quick succession.

Tayyab Tahir’s brief but aggressive cameo of 21 runs off 14 balls helped Pakistan’s total, but they continued to lose wickets.

Captain Salman Ali Agha top-scored with a run-a-ball 32, while Qasim Akram contributed 20 runs. Agha was dismissed in the 15th over, and Pakistan’s middle-order failed to build any significant partnerships.

The victory allowed Zimbabwe to avoid a clean sweep in the series, which Pakistan won 2-1.