HARARE: Opener Fakhar Zaman cracked a career-best 91 to help set up Pakistan’s six-wicket win over Australia in the final of the Twenty20 tri-series at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Zaman shared in a century stand with Shoaib Malik as Pakistan recovered from an early wobble in their pursuit of Australia’s 183 for 8, and Malik then showed all the experience of an 18-year international career to see his team home with an unbeaten 43.
It looked as though Australia had produced a masterstroke in opening the bowling with Glenn Maxwell’s off-spin as debutant Sahibzada Farhan was stumped off the first ball he faced and Hussain Talat sliced a catch to point three balls later to derail Pakistan’s chase.
Australia threatened to storm to victory, but Zaman quickly set about rebuilding the innings. First, he added 45 with captain Sarfraz Ahmed to take his team out of immediate danger, and he then added 107 for the fourth wicket with Malik to seize the advantage for Pakistan.
When Zaman fell cutting out to deep cover, Pakistan still needed 30 from 24, but while Malik remained at the crease their chase was always safe.
Their ultimate victory capped a mixed day for Pakistan. Australia captain Aaron Finch was given the first-ball reprieve when he was dropped by Malik in the deep after top-edging a hook, and several misfields allowed any pressure with the new ball to be immediately dissipated.
Their errors allowed Australia to get off to a flier, with Finch putting together a 95-run opening stand with D’Arcy Short. Short was also dropped just after he had reached a 39-ball fifty, but he could not better his previous T20I high score of 76 and Pakistan’s bowling at the death kept Australia in check.
From 95 for 0 after the first 10 overs, Australia lost 8 for 88 and their 183 for 8 was not quite enough to better Pakistan in the final analysis.
Zaman leads Pakistan to T20 tri-series title with win over Australia
Zaman leads Pakistan to T20 tri-series title with win over Australia
- Australia scored 183 for the loss of eight wickets in their first innings
- Opener Fakhar Zaman cracked a career-best 91 to help set up Pakistan’s six-wicket win over Australia
Saudi Arabia lose to Morocco in final group match of Arab Cup
- Green Falcons had already qualified for quarterfinals
- Oman eliminated despite victory over Comoros
DOHA: Morocco booked their place in the Arab Cup knockout stages after defeating Saudi Arabia on Monday, but Oman’s victory over Comoros in their final group game was not enough to keep their campaign alive.
Needing only a draw to progress, Morocco took all three points against the Green Falcons, who missed a crucial second-half penalty.
The Saudis, already through to the knockouts, made several changes and began brightly, coming close to opening the scoring inside six minutes when Saleh Abu Al-Shamat’s looping header clipped the crossbar.
Despite the early pressure, Morocco kept their composure and took the lead when Tarik Tissoudali teed up Karim El-Berkaoui to put the Atlas Lions in front.
Saudi Arabia pushed for an equalizer and were handed a golden opportunity midway through the second half when Amin Zahzouh fouled substitute Abdullah Al-Hamdan inside the penalty area.
But the striker’s attempt at a “Panenka” sailed over the crossbar.
In the group’s other match, Oman defeated Comoros but were eliminated after failing to make up the required goal difference.
Knowing victory alone would not be enough, Oman began aggressively, creating a string of first-half chances through Issam Al-Sabhi, Zahir Al-Aghbari and Jameel Al-Yahmadi, only to be denied by profligacy and Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada.
The breakthrough arrived in calamitous fashion just before the interval as Ahamada was dispossessed by Al-Sabhi inside the 6-yard box, allowing the forward to shoot into an empty net.
Al-Sabhi then doubled Oman’s lead with a header just before the break.
Comoros rallied after the break through a fine individual effort from Nassuir Hamidou to reduce the deficit, but further chances went begging and Oman held on for victory.
Despite finishing with four points, Oman bowed out of the competition, while Comoros concluded their debut Arab Cup campaign with three straight defeats.
