Pakistan marched into the final of their T20I tri-series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka with a commanding, no-nonsense performance built on ruthless batting and a breakout spell from Usman Tariq. Their win over Zimbabwe wasn’t just dominant — it was a statement that Pakistan’s depth is maturing fast, and they’ve unearthed another bowler capable of flipping a match in a handful of deliveries.
Batting first, Pakistan put up a strong total of 195/5. The innings revolved around Babar Azam’s controlled 74 and a buoyant 63 from Sahibzada Farhan. The pair kept the tempo steady before Fakhar Zaman arrived late to punch the run rate upward with characteristic aggression. It was the kind of top-order performance Pakistan have been striving for in the shorter format: stable foundations, smart tempo control and a violent finishing surge.
Zimbabwe’s chase unraveled from the outset. Early wickets knocked them back to 25/3 inside the first four overs, and from there they were never truly in the contest. Pakistan’s seamers and spinners both hit disciplined channels, leaving Zimbabwe’s batters stuck between survival and scoring.
Then came the over that ended the match as a contest.
Usman Tariq, playing only his second T20I, entered the attack and unleashed a sequence that will define the early part of his international career. First, he removed Tony Munyonga. Then he skittled Tashinga Musekiwa with a delivery that dipped and straightened sharply. To complete the hat-trick, he drew Wellington Masakadza into an ill-timed slog that found the fielder at long-on. Three balls, three wickets, and Zimbabwe’s hopes buried. Tariq finished with superb figures of 4/18 — the kind of spell that immediately elevates a newcomer’s reputation.
Zimbabwe did find some resistance through a determined, unbeaten 67 from Ryan Burl, but the match had already drifted out of reach. Wickets kept tumbling, partnerships never formed, and Pakistan’s grip only tightened. The margin of defeat — 69 runs — accurately reflected the gulf in execution on the night.
For Pakistan, this win locked up their place in the final with matches to spare, and it underscored the balance they’re building in white-ball cricket. The batting is increasingly consistent, the bowling unit is varied and sharp, and the arrival of a mystery-spinner-type talent like Tariq gives them another weapon for high-pressure matches.
His unusual rhythm, pause in the run-up and deceptive variations already make him difficult to pick, and if he continues developing this rapidly, he could become a permanent fixture in Pakistan’s T20 setup. It’s rare for a young spinner to seize a match so emphatically in a tri-series featuring seasoned international cricketers, but Tariq looked unfazed and fully in control.
Zimbabwe will walk away frustrated — their bowlers had moments, their lower order showed bite — but tactically and technically they were outmatched. Pakistan, meanwhile, head into the final with momentum, clarity in roles and a new match-winner in their ranks. It was a comprehensive victory built on skill, discipline and one unforgettable hat-trick.
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