Spinner Usman Tariq bagged a maiden hat-trick as Pakistan thumped Zimbabwe by 69 runs in the fourth game of the T20I tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting 196-run target, Zimbabwe suffered an early setback as opener Tadiwanashe Marumani fell for four in the opening over, dismissed by Naseem Shah. The slide continued in the next over when Mohammad Wasim Jr uprooted Brian Bennett’s stumps for nine off five balls, including two boundaries, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 14-2 after 1.4 overs.
Zimbabwe lost their third wicket before the end of the powerplay as Faheem Ashraf removed veteran Brendan Taylor for a run-a-ball eight, which included two fours.
Skipper Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl attempted to steady the innings, stitching together a 34-run partnership to revive Zimbabwe’s hopes.
However, their resistance ended when Nawaz struck in the ninth over, dismissing Raza for 23 off 18 balls, featuring two fours and a six, reducing the visitors to 59-4.
