Pakistan’s T20I players have reached Bulawayo ahead of their three-match series against Zimbabwe, starting on December 1.
The newly-arrived players include Usman Khan, Sufiyan Muqeem, Sahibzada Farhan, Arafat Minhas, Umair bin Yousuf, and Qasim Akram. They join the rest of the squad, led by stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha, already in Zimbabwe. Other team members, including Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Tayyab Tahir, and Abrar Ahmed, have been preparing for the series in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ODI squad, led by Mohammad Rizwan, will return home after completing a successful three-match series against Zimbabwe. The team secured the series 2-1 with a commanding 99-run victory in the decider.
In Thursday’s ODI match at Queens Sports Club, Pakistan batted first, posting 303/6 in 50 overs. Kamran Ghulam’s maiden century and Abdullah Shafique’s solid innings anchored the innings, while Saim Ayub and Abdullah put up a strong opening partnership of 58 runs.
Zimbabwe, chasing 304, struggled to build momentum despite a fighting half-century from skipper Craig Ervine. They were bowled out for 204, with Pakistani bowlers delivering a team effort. Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Aamir Jamal each took two wickets, while Kamran and Faisal Akram picked up one wicket each.
The T20I series opener promises an exciting contest as both teams prepare to face off in Bulawayo on December 1.