Pakistan has locked in on the Pakistan T20I Tri-Series 2025 with a commanding 69-run win over Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi, a result that not only secured their place in Saturday’s final but also dealt a heavy blow to Zimbabwe’s net run rate. Powered by a composed half-century from Babar Azam, an aggressive knock from Sahibzada Farhan, and a brilliant Usman Tariq hat trick, Pakistan proved far too strong as Zimbabwe crumbled for 126 in pursuit of 195.
After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first—a decision that looked like the right one almost immediately. Saim Ayub came out swinging in the powerplay, clearing the ropes twice before falling in familiar fashion: big swing, big connection, unlucky placement. His early burst, however, set the tone for what Pakistan hoped would be a high-scoring innings.
From there, it was the partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam that defined Pakistan’s innings. Farhan played with intent from ball one, using the field restrictions to target anything in his hitting arc. He lived dangerously at times, but his ambition paid off as he raced 32 of his first 20 balls. Babar, on the other hand, adopted a strategic approach by defending, nudging, and concentrating on strike rotation. In his first 20 balls, he managed only 15 runs.
But the shift came in the 12th over. Babar began his innings against Sikandar Raza, hitting the boundary twice and indicating his readiness to advance through the ranks. Farhan continued to swing hard, and a towering straight six brought up the century stand. Raza removed him the very next ball, but not before Farhan’s 63 off 41 had given Pakistan exactly the platform they needed.
Babar carried on, timing his acceleration perfectly. He attacked Brad Evans and Raza in consecutive overs to push Pakistan into high gear, eventually falling for a fluent 74 off 52. His dismissal brought a brief lull, but only until the final over, where Fakhar Zaman, promoted to No. 7 in an unusual tactical shuffle, unleashed an extraordinary assault. Three sixes and a four off Evans turned a good total into a formidable one, with 25 runs taken from the over. Evans even thought he had the last word when Fakhar holed out—only for it to be called a no-ball. The free hit sailed for six, and Pakistan suddenly had the tournament’s best total: 195 for 5.
Defending 196, Pakistan knew that Zimbabwe’s top-heavy batting order relied too heavily on its first five. Early wickets would break the chase—and early wickets came quickly. Naseem Shah removed Tadiwanashe Marumani with a routine catch at cover, and Pakistan’s momentum only built from there. Brian Bennett and wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor followed soon after, leaving Zimbabwe unsteady with barely anything on the board.
A partnership between Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza pushed back, but once Raza fell, the innings threatened to collapse entirely. Burl fought admirably, playing the lone hand Zimbabwe desperately needed, reaching a gritty half-century with a clean strike off Naseem. But while Burl remained unbeaten on 67, no one else stayed long enough to help mount a challenge.
The decisive moment arrived when Usman Tariq, brought into the attack to exploit the pressure that had built, struck gold. The first wicket fell when Tony Munyonga attempted a faint sweep, sending the ball straight to short fine leg. The next ball zipped through Tashinga Musekiwa’s defense. Sensing the hat trick, Pakistan packed the close fielders around Wellington Masakadza, who made the fatal choice to attack. His attempted lofted shot soared to long-on, and Tariq had his hat-trick—one that effectively sealed Zimbabwe’s fate.
From there, the innings unraveled. Tariq finished with astonishing figures of 4 for 18, and Pakistan wrapped things up with 126 all out, completing a dominant victory that keeps them unbeaten heading into the final. With Sri Lanka still in contention for the second spot, Zimbabwe now faces a steep climb.
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will be facing off today, with Pakistan’s opponent in the Finals yet to be confirmed.
