Zimbabwe’s Chevrons showed marked improvement in their opening match of the T20I tri-series in Pakistan but ultimately came up just short as they fell to a five-wicket defeat against the hosts in Rawalpindi.
Batting first, Zimbabwe posted a low 147 for 8 in their 20 overs. The team got off to a promising start with Brian Bennett top-scoring with a solid 49, offering a glimpse of the batting depth Zimbabwe have been working to build. However, regular wickets and a lack of sustained partnerships prevented them from converting that start into a truly challenging total.
In reply, Pakistan made heavy weather of the chase but held their nerve when it mattered most, reaching 151 for 5 with four balls to spare. Zimbabwe had Pakistan under pressure early, as Brad Evans struck with two key wickets, leaving the hosts reeling at 54 for 4 in the 10th over. But Pakistan’s middle order, anchored by Fakhar Zaman’s 44, steadied the innings and built the platform for victory.
From a Zimbabwean perspective, the performance was encouraging in several areas; the bowlers set the tone, and the batters at least showed intent. Yet, the failure to score more than 160 and cross the finish line underscores that there is still a gap to close when facing elite opposition. Zimbabwe will hope to learn from this outing and build on the positive signs as the tri-series progresses.
