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Babar stars as Pakistan clinch T20 opener in Rawalpindi

Captain Babar Azam led the way with 82 as Pakistan secured a comfortable six-wicket victory in the Twenty20 series opener against Zimbabwe.

By Rob Lancaster
Babar Azam

Rawalpindi, November 7: Captain Babar Azam led the way as Pakistan secured a comfortable six-wicket victory in the Twenty20 series opener against Zimbabwe.

Wesley Madhevere top-scored with 70 as Zimbabwe posted 156-6, having opted to bat first in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

However, Babar - who sits second in the International Cricket Council's T20 batting rankings - made sure the hosts had few issues in their chase, hitting 82 from 55 balls at the top of the order.

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The Pakistan skipper managed nine fours and a solitary six as he put on 80 for the third wicket with Mohammad Hafeez - who made 36 - following the dismissals of Fakhar Zaman (19) and Haider Ali (7)

Blessing Muzarabani - Zimbabwe's hero as they won the third and final ODI on Wednesday following a Super Over - dismissed both well-set batsmen, but Pakistan still cruised home with seven deliveries to spare.

Babar targets top of T20 rankings as Zimbabwe eye Pakistan firstBabar targets top of T20 rankings as Zimbabwe eye Pakistan first

Haris Rauf and Wahab Riaz earlier claimed two wickets apiece as the tourists slipped to 87-4 after Brendan Taylor won the toss.

Madhevere led the rebuild thanks to a career-best knock in the format, while Elton Chigumbura - who has announced he will retire at the end of the tour - added 21 in a hurry during the closing overs.

Zimbabwe will look to stay alive in the three-match series when the teams meet again at the same venue on Sunday.

Story first published: Saturday, November 7, 2020, 21:36 [IST]
Other articles published on Nov 7, 2020