BULAWAYO: An unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 65 by Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan set up Pakistan for a 57-run victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
Pakistan, who are chase a white-ball double in Zimbabwe having already won the ODI series 2-1, won the toss in Bulawayo and posted 165-4 while Zimbabwe were all out for 108 in 15.3 overs.
The tourists were 100-4 with 34 deliveries remaining at Queens Sports Club when Tahir and Khan came together to slam a rapid 65 runs as they punished poor bowling and careless fielding.
Tahir made 39, including a six and four fours, to be joint top scorer with Usman Khan, who struck four boundaries, two of them sixes.
Irfan Khan finished on 27 from 15 balls with three fours.
“Irfan and I were talking to each other and decided to run hard, hit every ball and if we cannot make a six, then run,” player of the match Tahir told reporters.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who top-scored for his side with 39, said: “To leak 40-odd runs in the last few overs shifted the momentum. To be all out for 108 is a really tough pill to swallow.”
The Pakistan-born all-rounder was the pick of the bowlers, with his deceptive spin capturing the wicket of Pakistan skipper Salman Agha (13).
In reply, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Raza raised Zimbabwean hopes when they put on 59 runs for the third wicket.
But soon after Marumani was run out by Usman Khan for 33, Raza was caught at backward point by Saim Ayub and the innings collapsed with the last four wickets falling for only 13 runs.
After Jahandad Khan claimed the prize wicket of Raza, Sufiyan Muqeem wreaked havoc with the Zimbabwe tail, capturing three wickets.
The two sides meet again on Tuesday and Thursday.
Pakistan cruise to opening T20 win over Zimbabwe
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Pakistan cruise to opening T20 win over Zimbabwe
- Pakistan won the toss in Bulawayo and posted 165-4 while Zimbabwe were all out for 108 in 15.3 overs
- The tourists were 100-4 with 34 balls remaining when Tahir and Khan came together to slam a rapid 65
Angola cancel pre-World Cup friendlies against Iran, Jordan
- Angolan officials said they tried to seek an alternative for the match against Jordan
- Angola said they were therefore canceling plans to play in the March international window
LUANDA: Angola have canceled planned friendlies this month against Jordan and Iran, the Angolan Football Federation said in a statement.
They were due to take on Jordan and Iran, who have both qualified for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USlater this year, in Dubai at the end of March.
“The aggravation of the current conflict in the Middle East and the consequent instability that is felt in the region meant a serious, prudent and responsible re-evaluation,” the statement said.
Angolan officials said they tried to seek an alternative for the match against Jordan but “after a deep and rigorous evaluation of the financial obligations involved, the required logistical and administrative effort and the respective competitive benefit for the national team, it has been concluded that playing just one game would not rationally and strategically be justified.”
Angola said they were therefore canceling plans to play in the March international window. The country did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup and will play their next competitive fixture in September when the group qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals kick off.
They recently fired French coach Patrice Beaumelle and have yet to appoint a successor.
