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Pakistan cruise, face Australia next

Pakistan thrash Zimbabwe by 74 runs in opening match of T20 tri-series in Harare

Pakistan have thrashed Zimbabwe by 74 runs to set an impressive early marker for Australia to match in their T20 tri-series in Harare.

One of the shorter series on the international calendar, the three-team tournament featuring the Aussies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe got underway on Sunday and will be all over in just a week.

And Pakistan, the world's top-ranked T20 side, sent an early warning as they cruised to a big victory over the hosts ahead of their match against Australia on Monday.

Zimbabwe, who are severely undermanned due to an ongoing dispute between some of their star players and the country's cricket board, struck three times inside the first 10 overs after electing to bowl first at the Harare Sports Club, with only Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman finding any rhythm.

Image Id: F0472D3260A442D0AE2D0A614D37681D Image Caption: Pakistan scored 4-182 from their 20 overs // Getty

The left-hander struck three sixes as he posted 61 from just 40 balls, laying the platform for the middle order to follow.

Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali then went on a late rampage, sharing an unbeaten 62-run stand for the fifth wicket.

The pair scored at almost 12 runs an over as Pakistan finished with 4-182 from their 20 overs. Shoaib became the third man in T20 internationals and the first from Pakistan to score 2000 career runs on his way to an unbeaten 37 from 24 balls, while Ali finished on 41 not out from 21 balls.

Zimbabwe started slowly in response and were no match for Pakistan's impressive bowling attack as they were dismissed for just 108. Mohammad Nawaz opened the bowling and finished with 2-11 from four overs while Usman Khan (2-11 from three), Hasan Ali (2-19 from two) and Mohammad Hafeez (2-3 from 0.5) also picked up two wickets each.

Image Id: 1E01952612FF4B998530A5F773FB94D8 Image Caption: Zimbabwe's batsmen landed a few blows, but never got going // Getty

Led by skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan have now won 20 of their 23 matches since their early exit at the 2016 World T20, the best winning record of any country in the world in that time.

Their current streak includes eight consecutive series victories, an all-time record, as well as eight straight wins in 2018 since they lost their first game of the year back in January.

And they will be warm favourites to make it nine from nine on Monday when they face the Aussies, who are coming off a winless limited overs tour of the UK.

With Mohammad Hafeez, Hussain Talat, and captain Sarfraz Ahmed all falling cheapy early, Pakistan were helped by Zaman’s fluent scoring at the other end, and he brought up his second T20I half century from 33 deliveries with a flick through square leg in the 13th over.

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Zaman appeared settled at the crease, but two overs later he missed a heave at Tendai Chisoro and had his leg stump pegged back.

By then, however, Pakistan were 4-121, and with just over five overs still to be bowled had set a considerable platform.

The hosts were further hampered by the loss of senior seamer Kyle Jarvis, who injured his right hand attempting to take a catch in the 13th over, and immediately left the field with a suspected dislocation and fracture to his right thumb.

Zimbabwe’s response with the bat never got going. Opener Solomon Mire fired in fits and starts to record a 29-ball 27, while Tarisai Musakanda cracked a busy 43 in his debut innings.

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But there was little support from the rest of the top order, with Elton Chigumbura the only other batsman to reach double figures.

The Zimbabwean tail collapsed completely, the last four wickets falling for the addition of just six runs, with Hafeez taking 2-3 in his first over in international cricket since his bowling action was cleared as legal last month.

- with AFP

All matches in the T20 tri-series will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports while there will be live scores, highlights and all the latest news on cricket.com.au

Zimbabwe: Solomon Mire, Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza (c), Tarisai Musakanda, Peter Moor (wk), Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, John Nyumbu, Blessing Muzarabani

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Hussain Talat, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(c & wk), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan

Qantas Tour of Zimbabwe


Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan.

Zimbabwe squad: Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, PJ Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray

July 1: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 74 runs


July 2: Pakistan vs Australia


July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe


July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan


July 5: Pakistan vs Australia


July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe


July 8: Final