RAWALPINDI: Fakhar Zaman top-scored for Pakistan while batting at No. 5 as the home side sealed a last-over, five-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-nation T20I series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground.

Batting only for the fourth time at No. 5 in his 102-match career, Fakhar struck a 32-ball 44 and added 61 runs off 39 balls for the fifth wicket with Usman Khan to help Pakistan recover from 54 for four and chase down the 148-run target with four balls to spare.

Fakhar’s innings included two fours and two sixes, while Usman, who remained unbeaten on 37, hit three fours in his 28-ball knock. Usman later added 36 runs off 21 balls for the unfinished sixth wicket with Mohammad Nawaz, who was named player of the match for his all-round performance.

After Sahibzada Farhan (16) and Saim Ayub (22) gave Pakistan a 27-run opening stand inside four overs, the hosts slipped to 54 for four in 9.3 overs following the dismissals of Babar Azam (0), Salman Ali Agha (1) and Saim. Fakhar and Usman steadied the chase before Usman and Nawaz completed the job.

Earlier, Zimbabwe – put in to bat – managed only 75 runs in their last 12 overs, including 35 in the final five, after racing to 72 in the first eight. They finished on 147 for eight.

Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani laid the foundation with scores of 49 off 36 and 30 off 22, respectively, but the middle order faltered against the spin trio of Nawaz, Mohammad Abrar and Saim Ayub, who combined for figures of 12-0-81-4.

Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers with two for 22, while Abrar and Saim claimed one wicket each, conceding 28 and 31 runs.

Apart from Bennett and Marumani, captain Sikandar Raza was the other notable contributor. His 24-ball 34 not out, featuring three fours and a six, ensured Zimbabwe posted a competitive total.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by five wickets

Zimbabwe 147-8, 20 overs (Brian Bennett 49, Sikandar Raza 34 not out, Tadiwanashe Marumani 30; Mohammad Nawaz 2-22)

Pakistan 151-5, 19.2 overs (Fakhar Zaman 44, Usman Khan 37 not out, Saim Ayub 22, Mohammad Nawaz 21 not out; Brad Evans 2-26)

Player of the match: Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)

Next match: Pakistan v Sri Lanka — Thursday, 20 November