Pakistan secured their place in the tri-series final after a commanding 69-run win against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. The match was highlighted by a remarkable spell from Usman Tariq, who delivered one of the best bowling performances of his T20I career.
The Usman Tariq cricketer storyline dominated the night as the 25-year-old mystery spinner produced a hat-trick and finished with figures of 4 for 18. His effort came at a key stage of the innings and shifted momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour.
Zimbabwe was chasing 196 but could only manage 126 in 19 overs. Their innings collapsed from 60 for 4 to 60 for 7 inside five balls during Tariq’s dramatic 10th over. The crowd roared as he became only the fourth Pakistani bowler to take a hat-trick in T20 Internationals.
His spell also added fresh attention to recent conversations around the Usman Tariq suspect bowling action, but on the night, his accuracy and control made the difference.
Pakistan’s pace attack set the tone early. Naseem Shah removed Tadiwanashe Marumani in the first over, and Mohammad Wasim Jr dismissed Brian Bennett soon after. Zimbabwe’s hopes briefly rested on Sikandar Raza, who struck 23 from 18 balls, but once he fell, the innings lost structure. Ryan Burl fought hard with an unbeaten 67, but he received no support from the other end.
The turning point remained Tariq’s decisive over, where Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, and Wellington Masakadza all fell in quick succession. He later returned to bowl to Tinotenda Maposa, sealing a career-best performance.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 195 for 5 after a late surge from Fakhar Zaman. Coming in at number seven, he smashed 27 off 10 balls, including two massive sixes in the final over. A solid 103-run stand between Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan had laid the foundation. Farhan scored 63 off 41, while Babar made 74 from 52 balls before falling in the 18th over.
