RAWALPINDI: Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza, skipper of Zimbabwe cricket team shared a heartfelt note on his return to home country after wrapping up Tri Nation Series.
The Zimbabwe captain took to X and said good bye to Pakistan, saying that “Thank you Pakistan 🇵🇰 and
@TheRealPCB for hosting us.
We all thank you for your hospitality and the love you all shared with us
We shall be back again in sha Allah
Khuda Hafiz”
It is pertinent to mention here that Zimbabwe Cricket accepted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s invitation to participate in a T20I tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka after Afghanistan refused to come to Pakistan.
The maiden tri-series on Pakistan soil provided all three sides with preparation ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.
Yesterday, Pakistan won the T20I Tri-Series, after a commanding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
After put into bat, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 114 in 19.1 overs after a promising start fizzled out against a disciplined Pakistan attack. Opener Pathum Nissanka (11) was the first to depart, bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi after putting on 20 for the opening wicket with Kamil Mishara.
Kusal Mendis (14) added a valuable 64-run stand for the second wicket with Mishara before falling to Mohammad Nawaz. Mishara, who stood firm at the top of the order, top-scored with an impressive 59 off 47 deliveries, striking two fours and four sixes, before Saim Ayub ended his stay.
Pavan Rathnayake (8) and Kusal Perera (1) fell in quick succession to Abrar Ahmed, triggering a collapse. Janith Liyanage (0) and Wanindu Hasaranga (5) also departed cheaply, both dismissed by Nawaz.
Chasing a target of 115 runs, Pakistan made a steady start as openers Sahibzada Farhan (23 off 22 balls) and Saim Ayub (36 off 33) put on a solid 46-run partnership for the first wicket. Farhan was the first to fall, bowled by Eshan Malinga, while Ayub was trapped lbw by Wanindu Hasaranga.
Skipper Salman Agha (14) and Fakhar Zaman (3) could not convert their starts, with both batters dismissed by Pavan Rathnayake, who delivered an impressive spell. Babar Azam (37 runs off 34 balls) and Usman Khan (3) remained not out as Pakistan reached 118 for 4 in 18.4 overs. Nawaz was declared Player of the Match and Player of the Series.
Also read: “Well done, boys in Green,” PM Shehbaz Lauds National Team on Tri-Nation Series Win
