On a crisp November evening in Rawalpindi, Pakistan crushed Zimbabwe by 69 runs to seal their spot in the final of the T20I Tri-Series 2025/26Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The win wasn’t just about runs—it was a statement. Pakistan’s explosive batting and surgical bowling dismantled Zimbabwe’s fragile top order, turning what looked like a competitive contest into a one-sided affair. The victory, sealed at 8:46 PM local time, wasn’t just a point on the board—it was a ticket to the final against Sri Lanka.
Batting Fireworks and a Record-Breaking Finish
When Salman Agha won the toss and chose to bat, few expected the carnage that followed. Opener Sahibzada Farhan exploded for 63 off just 41 balls—his half-century in 35 deliveries—while captain Babar Azam anchored the innings with a classy 74 off 52. Their 100-run stand came in under eight overs, a masterclass in power and precision. The pair added 51 and 50 respectively before falling just short of a century partnership. But the real fireworks came at the death.
Fakhar Zaman arrived at the crease with 168 on the board and turned the final over into a spectacle: 25 runs off six balls, including three massive sixes. The last five overs yielded 69 runs—Pakistan’s highest in the death phase this series. By the end, they’d posted 195/5, the second-highest T20I total at this ground this year. The scoreboard read: 50 in 5.5 overs, 100 in 12.2, 150 in 16.5. No team in this tournament had reached 150 so quickly.
Zimbabwe’s Collapse: Powerplay Peril
Zimbabwe’s reply began like a nightmare. Three wickets in the powerplay—two caught behind, one lbw—left them reeling at 21/3 by the 4th over. ESPN Africa called it “a top-order implosion,” and rightly so. The pressure told. By the 9th over, they were 60/5, with Ryan P. Burl holding things together with 13 off 18. But even his grit couldn’t save them.
Burl, Zimbabwe’s lone bright spot, fought hard—67 off 49 balls, five fours and two sixes—but it was too little, too late. The rest of the batting order offered no resistance. Pakistan’s spinners, led by Usman Tariq, strangled the innings. Tariq’s 4 for 18 in four overs included what commentators called a “hat-trick attempt”—three wickets in three balls across two overs, though one was overturned by DRS. The YouTube footage shows Zimbabwe batsmen staring at the ball, unsure whether to play or leave. They played—and lost.
Usman Tariq: The Unlikely Hero
It was Usman Tariq, a left-arm spinner with only six T20I caps, who stole the show. His figures—4 for 18 in four overs—were the best by a Pakistani bowler in a T20I against Zimbabwe. He bowled with deceptive flight, kept the ball low, and exploited Zimbabwe’s poor footwork against spin. His first wicket came when he deceived Brad Evans into a leading edge. The third was a classic leg-before, though the review showed the ball clipping the top of leg stump—DRS ruled it “Umpire’s Call.”
Support came from Mohammad Nawaz (2/21), who trapped Sikandar Raza in front with a turning delivery that kept low. Raza, Zimbabwe’s most experienced batter, managed 39 off 28 but couldn’t stabilize. The rest? All out in 19 overs. Pakistan’s fielding was sharp—three catches, one run-out. Zimbabwe’s bowling? “Taken to the cleaners,” as Hindustan Times put it.
What This Means for the Final
This win puts Pakistan at the top of the table with 4 points from two matches, setting up a final against Sri Lanka on November 27. For Zimbabwe, it’s back to the drawing board. Their top-heavy lineup exposed again. Their spinners, including Masakadza and Richard Ngarava, were outclassed. The team’s reliance on Burl and Raza is a glaring weakness.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s balance looks perfect. Agha’s decision to promote Fakhar and include Tariq over Abrar Ahmed paid off. The team’s depth—seven players scoring 20+ runs—is what sets them apart. This isn’t just Babar’s team anymore. It’s a collective.
Behind the Scenes: Decisions and Drama
Two DRS reviews in the match went against the challenging side. In the 2.6th over, Zimbabwe challenged Farhan’s lbw—Umpire Faisal Afridi’s call stood. In the 9.6th over, Pakistan challenged Evans’ catch—again, “Umpire’s Call.” No major errors, but the tension was palpable. The crowd, packed at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, roared with every wicket. The atmosphere? Electric. The result? Historic.
Post-match, Agha smiled: “It was a perfect win.” He didn’t gloat. He didn’t overpromise. Just a quiet acknowledgment of a job well done. For Pakistan, the final isn’t just a chance to win—it’s a chance to prove they belong among the world’s elite T20 teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Usman Tariq’s performance compare to previous Pakistani spinners in T20Is?
Usman Tariq’s 4/18 is the best bowling figures by a Pakistani spinner in a T20I against Zimbabwe and ranks among the top five overall in Pakistan’s T20I history. Only Shahid Afridi (4/14 in 2007) and Saeed Ajmal (4/15 in 2012) have matched or bettered this in terms of economy and impact. His strike rate of 6.0 balls per wicket is exceptional for a spinner in modern T20 cricket.
Why did Zimbabwe’s top order collapse so badly?
Zimbabwe’s top order lacks experience against high-quality spin and short-pitched bowling. Three of their first four batters had never faced Pakistan’s spinners in T20Is. Pakistan’s use of wide yorkers and back-of-a-length deliveries exploited their poor footwork. The powerplay wickets weren’t flukes—they were the result of disciplined line and length from Tariq and Nawaz.
What’s the significance of Fakhar Zaman’s final over?
Fakhar’s 25-run final over—the highest ever in a T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium—wasn’t just about runs. It signaled Pakistan’s confidence in finishing strong. No other team in the tournament has scored more than 18 runs in their final over. This sets a psychological benchmark for the final against Sri Lanka, showing Pakistan can accelerate under pressure.
How does this result affect Pakistan’s World T20 prospects?
This win boosts Pakistan’s confidence ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Their ability to post 190+ and defend it with spin is now proven. With Babar Azam in form, Fakhar Zaman firing, and Tariq emerging as a reliable spinner, Pakistan has the balance to compete with powerhouses like India and Australia. The final against Sri Lanka will be a litmus test.
Who was the standout fielder in the match?
While no single fielder was officially awarded, Salman Agha’s sharp catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss Brad Evans in the 13th over was pivotal. It broke a potential 50-run partnership and shifted momentum. Agha’s positioning and timing were textbook—exactly what Pakistan’s fielding coach emphasized in pre-match drills.
What changes might Zimbabwe make for their next match?
Zimbabwe will likely drop Richard Ngarava, who conceded 34 runs in four overs without a wicket, and bring in a more aggressive batter like Wesley Madhevere to stabilize the middle order. They also need to address their powerplay weaknesses—perhaps by opening with a left-hander to counter Tariq’s angle. Their current lineup is too reliant on Burl and Raza, and that’s a dangerous strategy against top-tier teams.