Zimbabwe ended Pakistan on two wickets consolation in an exhilarating last T20I on Thursday.
Zimbabwe bowled Pakistan out for two in a consolation two-wicket win in a nail-biting final T20I on Thursday after tailender Richard Ngarava sent them home with one ball to spare. Pakistan – who were looking for a series win after taking the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively – rested a few key figures and reached 132-7 in 20 overs in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe batted well for the first time with opener Brian Bennett getting 43, before the Pakistan bowlers went on the attack and the departure of home captain Sikandar Raza (19) threw a wrench in the works.
Ahead of needing 12 from the last over to win, Tinotenda Maposa had 4 four six single to even the scores on three balls.
Tashinga Musekiwa got out by Tayyab Tahir off Jahandad Khan’s bowling to up the ante at Queens Sports Club.
Ngarava, meanwhile, was the champion, firing the final ball back at Khan. It was at the stumps at the other end and bounced to mid-off for the winner as Zimbabwe finished on 133-8.
Bennett was the star scorer: “We got Afghanistan next week in all formats so it’s good to get that win and get momentum going. The Pakistan captain Salman Agha had a special mention for the batter Saim Ayub and the wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem after the two white-ball series wins.
“I believe Saim and Sufiyan have many years to live and will serve Pakistan for many years. Saim has been playing all three formats and he’s been rocking it. Sufiyan too.”
Bennett knocked a six and six fours as Zimbabwe made 73-2 before wickets began to come out in spurts. Agha had a total of 32, three fours and two wickets for Pakistan with Blessing Muzarabani in Zimbabwe.
Pakistan 2-1 win over Zimbabwe in one day international cricket series and on to South Africa for eight matches all-formats tour that begins on 10 December, Twenty20 international.