Pakistan inflict 153-run defeat on Zimbabwe in T20I sequence opener

Set to chase a frightening 238-run goal, the touring facet might accumulate 84 earlier than getting bowled out in 18.2 overs and thus registered their third-lowest whole within the format.

Proper-handed batter Natasha Mtomba remained the top-scorer for Zimbabwe along with her 20-ball 24, whereas Adel Zimunu (18) and Beloved Biza (10) have been the one different batters to breach double figures towards the disciplined Pakistan bowling assault.

Captain Fatima spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling cost with economical figures of three/7 in her three overs, adopted by Sadia Iqbal and Natalia Pervaiz with two scalps every, whereas Rameen Shamim chipped in with one.

Opting to bat first, the house facet piled up 237/5 of their 20 overs, which was their highest within the format, surpassing the earlier better of 181/4, which they achieved towards South Africa in 2024.

The hosts obtained off to a briefly flamboyant begin to their innings as their openers Muneeba Ali and in-form Gull Feroza put collectively 23 runs till the previous was dismissed by captain Nomvelo Sibanda on the penultimate supply of the second over.

Following Muneeba’s dismissal, Ayesha joined Feroza within the center, and the duo shared a brisk 34-run partnership for the second wicket earlier than Valuable Marange gave Zimbabwe an important breakthrough by dismissing the opener, who walked again after scoring a 19-ball 37, laced with eight fours.

Ayesha was then concerned in two transient partnerships with debutant Saira Jabeen (5) and Natalia Pervaiz (9) till finally discovering refined assist from the opposite finish by Riaz.

The duo batted dominantly towards the Zimbabwean bowling assault and put Pakistan heading in the right direction to breach the 200-run barrier by placing collectively 67 runs in simply 35 deliveries.

Beloved Biza finally broke the threatening stand on the third supply of the sixteenth over by getting Aliya stumped, who fell agonisingly wanting a well-deserved half-century as she made a quickfire 48 off 23 deliveries with the assistance of 4 sixes and as many fours.

Ayesha then joined forces with captain Fatima Sana, and the duo ensured retaining the circulate of runs for Pakistan on the backend with an unbeaten 70-run partnership.

Ayesha Zafar remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with an unbeaten 102 off simply 47 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and two sixes, whereas their captain Fatima made 21 not out from 13 balls.

Captain Sibanda was the choose of the bowlers for Zimbabwe as she took two wickets for 59 runs in her 4 overs, whereas Michelle Mavunga, Biza and Marange might choose up one apiece.