ZIM VS PAK T20I

And now, with the conclusion of the post-match presentation, Salman Agha, the captain of Pakistan has been handed over the trophy. He walks towards his men and hands it over to the youngsters of the team. The entire Pakistani squad now poses for some commemorative photographs. And with this, an exciting white-ball series draws to a close, with Pakistan emerging victorious in both the ODI and T20I formats, demonstrating clear dominance over Zimbabwe. The hosts now face a period of reflection to analyze their performance as they look ahead to their next challenge, but this win in the last T20I will surely ignite their spirits. A comprehensive all-format series awaits them against Afghanistan on home soil. It kicks off with three T20Is, beginning on December 11, Friday in the city of Harare at 11.30 am GMT. Meanwhile, Pakistan, riding high on this series win, will head to South Africa for their next multi-format series. Their South African tour begins with three T20Is, with the opening match scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban at 4 PM GMT. Until then, you can catch all the action of another streak of international fixtures scheduled this week. Cheers and farewell.

Salman Agha, the captain of Pakistan says that it has been an outstanding series and with the youngsters coming in and showing their talents, he is proud of them. Adds that he would have liked to score a few more runs but he is happy to lead his side to a series win. Mentions that it doesn't matter if they have sore bodies, they play cricket for games like this and they will give their all to win in South Africa as well. Praises Ayub And Muqeem for their performances and says that they have a long future and will serve Pakistan for many years. Ends by acknowledging the Zimbabwean crowd and says they loved playing in front of them and hopes to see them in the future as well.

Sikandar Raza, the captain of Zimbabwe says that they wanted to win the series but they couldn't execute it. Also says that they wanted to defeat Pakistan in a game and they did it but also says that they didn't play good cricket overall and will have to reflect upon those errors. Says that backing the youngsters is what stood out for him as a captain. Also appreciates them by saying that to see them stepping up and winning the game for the team is truly incredible. Mentions that you need to come out Says that the bowling unit did pretty well to restrict Pakistan to 132.

Sufiyan Muqeem is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his exceptional bowling performances throughout this T20I series. He snagged an impressive tally of 9 wickets across three T20Is.

Brian Bennett is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his crucial contribution with the bat. He says that it is nice to contribute to the team's success. Adds that with Afghanistan coming up shortly, they can build on this result. Mentions that he is happy to bat at any position the team needs and it is up to the coach and skipper to decide. Says that they are a young team and they are learning. Ends by saying they have a few days off and then will be back at it.

The Presentation Ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Pakistan's decision to bat first proved challenging from the outset. The team suffered early setbacks when both opening batters were dismissed within the first three overs. The situation became more precarious after Usman Khan's dismissal, leaving Pakistan struggling inside the restrictions. Salman Agha attempted to stabilize the innings by building important partnerships with Tayyab Tahir and later with Qasim Akram. But, the regular loss of wickets meant Pakistan's progress remained slow as they approached the latter stages of their innings. However, the late contributions from Arafat Minhas and Abbas Afridi gave the bowlers something to bowl at. For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani was the most successful bowler with two wickets, and the others too, came in handy and chipped in on a slowish track.

However, the Chevrons' hopes were clinging on with Raza still in the middle. But, Sufiyan Muqeem squeezed them up further bowling a maiden over. Raza decided to go all guns blazing which became the reason for his downfall. It got quite nervy towards the end. With 12 to get in the last over, Zimbabwe found a new hero in the form of Tinotenda Maposa, the debutant who turned the game on its head with a couple of lusty blows in the last over and sailed the hosts across the winning line.

After a couple of quiet overs, Bennett tried to up the ante to release the pressure but lost his wicket in this process. It followed with another batting collapse for Zimbabwe as they were reduced from a comfortable 73/1 to a worrisome 120/7 on the back of some unnecessary shot selections and terrible mix-ups. As a result, Pakistan bossed the mid-over phase with the spinners and Abbas Afridi chipping in with crucial wickets.

The Pakistani bowling attack had a shaky start, with the pace bowlers struggling to find their line and length. Mohammad Hasnain had a particularly difficult time, dropping a crucial catch and failing to find his bowling rhythm. However, the introduction of spin bowling helped Pakistan slow things up a bit, with Salman Agha eventually managing to secure a breakthrough.

Zimbabwe's openers got off to a confident start, taking advantage of Pakistan's wayward bowling with regular boundaries. Brian Bennett stood out with his aggressive batting display, showing positive intent from the beginning and refusing to let the bowlers find their rhythm. His attacking approach helped Zimbabwe reach an impressive 56/1 in the powerplay, versus Pakistan's struggling 42/3.

PHEW! AREN'T YOU ENTERTAINED? A proper box-office finish to a dramatic contest which ebbed and flowed back and forth. Zimbabwe emerged victorious but really had to wrestle hard for this win. Pakistan would be kicking themselves as they fought till the end, but it just wasn't enough for them at the end of the day. Zimbabwe initiated this white-ball series with a win in the first ODI and has concluded with a win as well. But, it is Pakistan who has clinched this tour with a 2-1 win in the ODIs, followed by this T20I series win by 2-1.

Richard Ngarava has done it! Jahandad Khan pitches it up, on middle, Richard Ngarava bunts it down the pitch where it hits the stumps at the bowler's end and deflects away. The batters get the single they needed. ZIMBABWE WIN BY 2 WICKETS!

Richard Ngarava is the new batter in with 1 run to get.

OUT! TAKEN! MORE DRAMA! Jahandad Khan goes short again and on middle, angling in too. Tashinga Musekiwa tries to go for the glory hit but the ball gets big on him and he mistimes his pull in the air. Tayyab Tahir at mid-wicket settles under it and takes it nicely. Zimbabwe still needs 1 run to win with 2 balls remaining!

OUT! TAKEN! MORE DRAMA! Jahandad Khan goes short again and on middle, angling in too. Tashinga Musekiwa tries to go for the glory hit but the ball gets big on him and he mistimes his pull in the air. Tayyab Tahir at mid-wicket settles under it and takes it nicely. Zimbabwe still needs 1 run to win with 2 balls remaining!

BUZZERS! SCORES LEVEL! Hard length and on off, Tinotenda Maposa swats it back to the bowler. Tashinga Musekiwa sets off for the run and is halfway down the pitch, Jahandad Khan collects but misses his shy at the bowler's end and now the batters get the run.

SIX! Oh..my word! Take a bow, Tinotenda Maposa! Jahandad Khan lands this back of a length and on middle, angling in again. Tinotenda Maposa swing hard across the line and connects from the middle of the bat as it goes sailing over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. The crowd finds its voice again and Maposa is celebrating already and why shouldn't he? Zimbabwe needs 2 runs in 4 balls now!

FOUR! What a start to the over for Zimbabwe! Jahandad Khan sees the batter advance and bangs this short of a length and angling into the body of the batter. Tinotenda Maposa goes for the pull but gets cramped up. However, he somehow manages to glove it past the keeper and to the fine leg fence for a boundary. 8 needed in 5 now!