This is how we should always play: Yasir Hameed on Zimbabwe win

Pakistan secured their place in the final of the T20I Tri-Series on Wednesday courtesy a thumping seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

The win secures Pakistan’s passage to the final where Australia await as Zimbabwe are mathematically out of the equation of making the final.

Pakistan’s batting saw a drastic improvement from their dismal display against Australia — which they lost by nine wickets — and saw Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hussain Talat and captain Sarfraz Ahmed all contribute with the bat to see off Zimbabwe.

And former batsman Yasir Hameed believes that this is the kind of performance that Pakistan should try to put up more often.

“Today [Wednesday] the players showed the perfect approach they need in a T20I. Right from the onset till the match was brought to an end, Pakistan displayed the maturity needed to withstand Zimbabwe’s attack. Everything was just perfect and this is exactly how we should play,” he said.

Hameed went on to praise the batsmen for their aggressive, yet composed, display and had special praise for openers Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail who formed a 58-run opening partnership to help Pakistan set up a strong foundation for the match.

“Fakhar [Zaman] is an amazing batsman and he was his natural aggressive self. Haris [Sohail] helped him and stood at the crease to ensure Pakistan don’t lose any early wickets. We need our youngsters to play exactly like and I am sure this win will give them confidence moving forward,” he added.

Hameed also said that the effects of a strong opening partnership could be seen in the entire team.

“When a team opens well, it gives the other players coming down the order confidence. Talat’s batting is the perfect example of this as he came in to bat quite relaxed and went on with doing his job. I am really glad that he did it perfectly,” he said.