Rawalpindi, Nov 18 (NationPress) Mohammad Nawaz delivered a significant all-round performance to save Pakistan in Rawalpindi. He first catalyzed a stunning collapse in Zimbabwe’s middle order and then returned in the final moments to score a pivotal 21 runs off just 12 deliveries, leading the home team to a tense victory with four balls remaining.

Zimbabwe had been cruising at 72 for 1 in the 8th over, poised for a score exceeding 180, but they dramatically fell apart, losing seven wickets for a mere 37 runs, concluding their innings at 147 for 8.

With Nawaz at the helm, Pakistan’s spinners took command during the middle overs, restricting the scoring opportunities and forcing mistakes, causing Zimbabwe to plummet from 72 for 1 to 128 for 8 by the 19th over.

Nawaz, displaying superior speed and precision compared to the leg-spinners, achieved a breakthrough by dismissing Tadiwanashe Marumani at deep square leg off a full toss, and later took out Ryan Burl. His economy rate was impressive: only 22 runs in four overs at 5.50, the best among bowlers who bowled their full quota. The pressure from the spinners also led to two run-outs.

Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 34 off 24 balls helped Zimbabwe avert total collapse, but Pakistan faced their own challenges in the chase. Zimbabwe’s seamers dominated the powerplay, taking out both Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam in the fifth over, and Tinotenda Maposa trapped Salman Agha in the sixth.

By the end of the powerplay, Pakistan found themselves at a precarious 31 for 3, and further troubles arose when Saim Ayub fell to Graeme Cremer’s leg-spin in the 10th over, raising the required run rate to nine. Cremer, making his T20I return after more than seven years and 122 matches — a record — concluded with figures of 1 for 27 from three overs.

At 31 for 3 and again at the halfway point, Pakistan looked to be in serious trouble. However, Fakhar Zaman, playing his comeback T20I innings, steadied the ship with a crucial 44 off 32 balls. His partnership of 61 runs with Usman Khan brought Pakistan back into the contest.

Usman continued to stabilize the innings after Zaman’s dismissal, ultimately teaming up with Nawaz when the required rate began to rise once more.

Nawaz had a stroke of luck, being dropped on nine by Brian Bennett at midwicket with 15 runs needed off 10 balls, but he capitalized on this chance, hitting a six and two fours to ensure Pakistan crossed the finish line comfortably. He concluded the chase with a boundary, leading Pakistan to victory with four balls to spare.

Summary: Zimbabwe 147/8 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 49, Sikandar Raza 34*; Mohammad Nawaz 2/22) lost to Pakistan 151/5 in 19.2 overs (Fakhar Zaman 44, Usman Khan 37*; Brad Evans 2/26) by 5 wickets.