Usman Tariq's lifts Pakistan to thrash Zimbabwe by 69 runs in T20 tri-nation series clash
Pakistan have thrashed Zimbabwe by 69 runs in the fourth match of the T20 tri-nation series, thanks to Usman Tariq's four wickets, including a hat-trick at Rawalpindi Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 196 runs, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 126 runs.
Pakistan’s bowlers produced a clinical performance, reducing the visitors to 25-3 in just 3.3 overs, thanks to early strikes from Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim.
Brian Bennett managed only nine runs, while Tadiwanashe Marumani scored four before being dismissed. Veteran Brendan Taylor also fell cheaply for eight.
Skipper Sikandar Raza attempted to steady Zimbabwe’s innings, putting together a 34-run partnership with Ryan Burl, but the score read 59 when Raza (23) was caught off Mohammad Nawaz, triggering a collapse that the visitors could not recover from.
Usman Tariq then delivered a spectacular hat-trick in the 10th over, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 60-7.
Despite this, Ryan Burl’s unbeaten 67 off 49 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes, helped Zimbabwe surpass the 100-run mark.
For Pakistan, Tariq was the standout bowler with four wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with two wickets in his four overs, ensuring a commanding display and keeping Pakistan in control.
Ryan Burl was the top scorer for Zimbabwe, showing some resistance with a well-played half-century.
HAT-TRICK IN JUST HIS SECOND T20I ????
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 23, 2025
Usman Tariq shines! Only the fourth Pakistan bowler to claim a T20I hat-trick ????????
Watch live in the UK region, sign up now at https://t.co/Z0RXSR7gYM#CricketKiJeet | #PAKvZIM | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/hYNVHu7B7j
Asked to bat first, Pakistan scored 195 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam’s half-centuries and Fakhar Zaman’s cameo powered Pakistan to a strong total.
Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan added 29 for the opening wicket in 2.3 overs.
The former was caught after scoring 13 from 8 with the help of two sixes.
Following the early wicket, Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam forged a 103-run stand as both players flexed their muscles at the back end of the innings.
Farhan, who remained the core aggressor, made 63 from 41 balls, laced with three maximums and four boundaries, while Babar played the second fiddle and hit two sixes and seven fours on his way to 74 from 52 balls.
Sahibzada departed in the 15th over when Pakistan were cruising at 132 in 15.2 overs.
Nonetheless, it was Fakhar Zaman’s cameo in the last over that took Pakistan near the 200-run mark. The southpaw, who came down the order, hit three sixes in his 27 from just 10 balls.
Playing XIs
Zimbabwe: 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Ryan Burl, 3 Sikandar Raza (capt.), 4 Bradley Evans, 5 Brendan Taylor (wk), 6 Tadiwanashe Marumani, 7 Tashinga Musekiwa, 8 Tony Munyonga, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Tinotenda Maposa, 11 Richard Ngarava
Pakistan: 1. Saim Ayub, 2. Sahibzada Farhan, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Salman Ali Agha, 5. Usman Khan, 6. Fakhar Zaman, 7. Muhammad Nawaz, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Mohammad Wasim, 10. Naseem Shah, 11. Usman Tariq