Pakistan Elects To Bat First In Opening T20 Against Zimbabwe
Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 57 runs in the first T20I in Bulawayo.
Pakistan, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and scored 165 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Remaining Time -19:31
Openers Umair Yousuf and Saim Ayub started the innings, but the partnership was short-lived as Umair was dismissed for 16. Saim Ayub followed, scoring 24 runs, with Pakistan losing their second wicket at 57. Usman Khan contributed 39 runs before getting out, and captain Salman Ali Agha added 13 before being dismissed.
Tayyab Tahir (39*) and Irfan Khan (27*) remained unbeaten, helping Pakistan post a competitive total.
In reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 108 runs. Captain Sikandar Raza made 39 runs.
Pakistan’s Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed took three wickets each.
The Pakistani squad, led by captain Salman Ali Agha, features a mix of seasoned and emerging players, including Saim Ayub, Umair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Zain Tahir, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Jahand, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufiyan Muqeem.
This T20 series follows Pakistan’s victory in the recently concluded three-match ODI series, where they secured a 2-1 win, demonstrating their dominance against the hosts.