BULAWAYO: Zimbabwe grabbed a consolation two-wicket victory over Pakistan in a thrilling final Twenty20 international on Thursday, with tailender Richard Ngarava getting them over the line with one ball to spare.
Pakistan, seeking a series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively, rested several key players and made 132-7 off 20 overs in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe responded strongly initially with opener Brian Bennett scoring 43, but the Pakistan bowlers hit back and the loss of home captain Sikandar Raza (19) spelt trouble.
Needing 12 runs from the last over for victory, Tinotenda Maposa struck a four, a six and a single to level the scores with three balls remaining.
Tashinga Musekiwa was caught by Tayyab Tahir off the bowling of Jahandad Khan to increase the tension at the Queens Sports Club.
Ngarava then became the hero, striking the penultimate ball back toward Khan. It hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end and deflected to mid-off for the winning run as Zimbabwe reached 133-8.
Top scorer Bennett said: “We have got Afghanistan from next week in all formats so it is nice to win and establish some momentum.”
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha reserved special praise for batter Saim Ayub and wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem after the two white-ball series victories.
“I think Saim and Sufiyan have long futures ahead and will serve Pakistan for many years. Saim has been playing all three formats and doing really well. Sufiyan too.”
Bennett hit a six and six fours in his knock as he took Zimbabwe to 73-2 before wickets started to fall regularly.
Agha was the leading Pakistan scorer with a 32 that included three fours while Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets for Zimbabwe.
Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in a one-day international series, now head to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour that starts on December 10 with a Twenty20 international.
Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
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Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
- Pakistan was seeking series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively
- Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in ODI series, now head to South Africa for eight-match all-formats tour
IAEA approves safeguards for Pakistan’s Chashma nuclear power plant unit — FO
- Move reflects world’s confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful use of nuclear energy, non-proliferation, says FO
- Says after completion, power plant’s unit will provide substantial source of low-carbon electricity to the national grid
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office said on Wednesday that the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) board of governors has approved a safeguards agreement with Islamabad for a unit of its Chashma nuclear power plant, reflecting the world’s growing confidence in the South Asian country’s commitment to peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Under a safeguards agreement, the IAEA has the right and obligation to ensure that safeguards are applied on all nuclear material in the territory, jurisdiction or control of a state to verify that such material is not diverted to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
The agreement pertains to Unit 5 of the Chashma nuclear power plant located in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. The plant will have a gross capacity to generate 1,200 megawatts, with its pressurized water reactor expected to become operational by 2030, the foreign office said.
“This important development reflects the international community’s continued confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and its adherence to global non-proliferation and safeguards obligations,” the statement said.
It said after completion, the plant’s Unit 5 will provide a substantial source of low-carbon electricity to Pakistan’s national grid, contributing to energy security, climate goals and sustainable economic growth.
Over the past year, nuclear power accounted for 18.3 percent of Pakistan’s national electricity mix and 34 percent of the country’s total low-carbon electricity generation.
Pakistan currently operates six nuclear power plants with a combined installed capacity of 3,530 megawatts, the foreign office said.
“With more than 100 reactor-years of operational experience, Pakistan maintains a strong record of safe, secure and fully safeguarded nuclear power operations in line with international standards,” the statement included.
Despite contributing less than one percent to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, Pakistan is ranked among the world’s most vulnerable nations to climate change effects.
Torrential rains and floods in 2022 and 2025 wreaked havoc across the country, killing thousands and inflicting damages of billions of dollars on the country.
