Debutant Maposa’s last-over heroics help Zimbabwe win a thrilling Match
Zimbabwe won the 3rd T20I in a thrilling and exciting match, defeating Pakistan by 2 wickets. Debutant Maposa played a crucial role in the last over, hitting a four and a six to help Zimbabwe secure the win when they needed 12 runs from the final 6 balls.
Although Pakistan had already won the series, Zimbabwe made a strong comeback in the last match to end the series on a high note.
To watch the highlights of the 2nd T20I match, click on the link below:
Match Highlights
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first.
Pakistan Innings Summary:
Zimbabwe’s bowlers dominated early in the match, putting Pakistan under pressure right from the start. Pakistan’s top order struggled against the Zimbabwean attack, losing three wickets for just 19 runs. Sahibzada Farhan scored 4, Omair Bin Yousaf was dismissed for 0, and Usman Khan managed only 5 runs.
Tayyab Tahir and captain Salman Agha tried to steady the innings with a quick 33-run partnership off 23 balls. Tayyab Tahir scored 21 before being dismissed, after which Qasim Akram supported Salman Agha to add another 30 runs to the total.
After the fall of six wickets at 92 runs, Arafat Minhas and Abbas Afridi helped Pakistan push the score to 132 in their 20 overs. Despite losing seven wickets, they managed to finish with a respectable total. Blessing Muzarabani took 2 wickets, while Masakadza, Ngarava, Burl, and Maposa each took 1 wicket.
Zimbabwe Innings Summary:
Zimbabwe’s top order formed two strong partnerships, bringing them close to victory. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani played aggressively, adding 40 runs in just 20 balls. Marumani was dismissed for 15, but Dion Myers joined Bennett to build another solid partnership of 33 runs in 38 balls. After breaking the partnerships, Pakistan’s bowlers made a strong comeback, putting Zimbabwe under pressure. From 73/2, they quickly slipped to 112/6, and their batting lineup struggled to stay firm.
However, debutant Maposa turned the game around in the last over when Zimbabwe needed 12 runs from 6 balls. He hit a four on the first ball and a six on the second, making his debut match unforgettable. Zimbabwe successfully chased the target of 133 runs with 2 wickets in hand in a thrilling finish. Abbas Afridi took 3 wickets, Jahandad Khan claimed 2, while Sufiyan Muqeem and Salman Ali Agha picked up 1 wicket each.
Player of the Match
Brian Bannett: Zimbabwe’s opener Brian Bennett was awarded Player of the Match for his excellent performance. He scored a brilliant 43 runs off 35 balls, which included 6 fours and 1 six.
Player of the Series
Sufiyan Muqeem: Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was named Player of the Series for his outstanding bowling. He took 9 wickets in 3 matches, including his first-ever five-wicket haul. In the second match, he took 5 wickets for just 3 runs.
Scorecard
Pakistan innings
Zimbabwe Innings
| Sahibzada Farhan | 4(7) |
| Omair Bin Yousaf | 0(2) |
| Usman Khan | 5(8) |
| Salman Ali Agha(c) | 32(32) |
| Tayyab Tahir | 21(14) |
| Qasim Akram | 20(15) |
| Arafat Minhas | 22*(26) |
| Abbas Afridi | 15(14) |
| Jahandad Khan | 6*(3) |
| Extras | 7(b1, lb2, nb1, wd3) |
| Total | 132/7 |
| Brian Bennett | 43(35) |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | 15(6) |
| Dion Myers | 13(18) |
| Sikandar Raza(c) | 19(20) |
| Wessly Madhevere | 7(7) |
| Ryan Burl | 6(7) |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | 7(17) |
| Wellington Masakadza | 6(4) |
| Tinotenda Maposa | 12*(4) |
| Richard Ngarava | 1*(1) |
| Extras | 4(wd4) |
| Total | 133/8 |
Conclusion
Pakistan had already gained a 2-0 lead in the first three matches of the series, showcasing their dominant performance. However, Zimbabwe won the last thrilling match, ending the series on a high note and highlighting their strong comeback ability. This series was a good one for both teams. Both teams played well and fought hard, providing cricket fans with some exciting cricket to watch.
