Pakistan VS Zimbabwe T20 series 
1st Match Played at Harare on 21 April 2021
Pakistan 149/7 (Mohammad Rizwan 82*,Danish Aziz 15 , Wesley Madhevere 2/15, Luke Jongwe 2/ 24)
Zimbabwe 138/7(Craig Irvine 34, Luke Jongwe 30* , Tinasha Kamunhukamwe 29, Usman Qadir 3/ 29. Mohammad Hasnain 2/ 27) 
Pakistan Won By 11 Runs
Player Of The Match: Mohammad Rizwan 

Smart bowling and sharp fielding by brave Zimbabwe almost strangled strong Pakistan in the first of three matches T20 series played at Harare today. Pakistan innings was in complete mess. If only Rizwan did not produce a brilliant classy innings of 82 not out Pakistan could have been humiliated. Even then the score of 149/7 was not beyond the reach. Zimabawean appeared to be on course 7/122 at the end of 17th over. They required 28 in 2 overs. But lack of experience of winning tight matches against major opposition cost them the match. Zimbabwe managed scoring 138 /7 losing the match by 11 runs. 

Zimbabwe bowlers penetrated deep into Pakistan batting. Apart from Rizwan all the top and middle order failed in negotiating the very enthusiastic Zimbabwe bowling. Babar Aazm (2), Fakhar Azam (13), Mohammad Hafiz (5), Hyder Ali (5), Fahim Ashraf (1) had no clue. Pakistan was reduced to 5/100 in the 16th over. Only a flamboyant unbeaten 82 in 61 deliveries by Mohammad Rizwan, another very impressive batsman after Babar Azam saved Pakistan from total disaster. Zimbabwe actually floored Pakistan. Even 149/7 was not too big a mountain to climb for Zimbabwe. Seven Zimbabwe bowlers were used and all bowled with discipline. Off them Wesley Madhvere (2/11) and Luke Jongwe (2/24) were the most successful bowlers.

Strong Pakistan bowling attack was stressed to its limit in restricting Zimbabwean surge for scaling Pakistan set target. At one stage they were 5/91 in the 14th Over. However, they were undone by the crafty leg spin of Usman Qadir (3/ 29) and pace of Mohammad Hasnain (2/27). Craig Irvine (34) and Luke Jongwe (30*) almost turned the table upon strong Pakistan. Would say Pakistan had a lucky escape as Zimbabwe finished at 138/7 losing by 11 runs. Zimbabwe lost a huge opportunity to shock Pakistan. We are sure big guns would be back in the next match. 

Pakistani Great Inzimam Ul Haq rightly said Pakistani batsmen after number three all look like Tail Enders. Pakistan think tank must address before the ICC T20 world cup. They need some big hitters at late middle order. Bowlers need some score to defend. 

BDST: 1143 HRS, APR 22, 2021
SMS