Zimbabwe defeats Pakistan in Thrilling Final T20I to Clinch Series

By DTD- On Dec 5, 2024

Bulawayo: Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by two wickets in a thrilling third and final T20I at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, securing a dramatic win thanks to Tinotenda Mapos’s last-over heroics.

Chasing a modest target of 133, Zimbabwe reached 133/8 in 19.5 overs, with Mapos playing a match-winning cameo in the final over. Pakistan’s Jahandad Khan failed to defend 12 runs in the last over, allowing Zimbabwe to clinch the victory in a nail-biting finish.

Pakistan, batting first, struggled to post a competitive total. They were bowled out for 132/7 in their 20 overs, with captain Salman Ali Agha top-scoring with 32 runs. Pakistan’s innings suffered a disastrous start as opener Omair Bin Yousuf was dismissed for a golden duck. The visitors found themselves in trouble at 19/3 by the end of the four-over powerplay.

Tayyab Tahir (21 off 14 balls) and Qasim Akram (20 runs) made small contributions, but Pakistan’s middle order struggled. Arafat Minhas and Abbas Afridi added a valuable 27-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Afridi was dismissed for 15 off 14 balls. Minhas remained unbeaten on 22, with Jahandad Khan scoring 6* as Pakistan finished their innings at 132/7.

In reply, Zimbabwe’s openers gave their side a solid start, with Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani putting on a 40-run partnership in just 3.1 overs. However, Marumani fell for 15, and Zimbabwe began to lose wickets at regular intervals. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Abbas Afridi (3 wickets), Jahandad Khan (2 wickets), and Sufiyan Muqeem (1 wicket), kept the pressure on.

With Zimbabwe requiring 12 runs to win in the final over, Mapos turned the game on its head by edging the first delivery for a four, followed by a huge six. Despite a single and a wicket in between, Zimbabwe needed just one run from the final two balls, which they successfully achieved.

Although Pakistan had already secured the series after winning the first two games, the thrilling final match saw Zimbabwe finish the T20I series with a 2-1 victory, showcasing their resilience and determination.