Ahmed hammered 12 boundaries and three sixes during his career-best knock of 83

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With Pakistan hosting their first international cricket match since March 2009, openers Mukhtar Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad gave the country something to cheer about as they smashed 83 and 55 respectively to lead their side to a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Lahore.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura elected to bat first and actually ended up being his side’s top-scorer as his brilliant knock of 54, which came off 35 balls and included eight boundaries and a six, was vital in helping the tourists finish on 172/6 off their 20 overs.

Chigumbura celebrates after scoring his half-century

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Chigumbura was well supported by opener Hamilton Masakadza as he scored 43, which came off 27 deliveries and included seven boundaries and a six.

Masakadza made a gutsy 43

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Mohammad Sami, who was playing in his first international match since July 2012, was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Wahab Riaz snapped up two and Shoaib Malik chipped in with one.

Chasing 173 to win, Ahmed and Shehzad almost completed the job single-handedly as they amassed a 142-run partnership.

Ahmed ended up making a career-high 83 off 45 balls, which included 12 boundaries and three sixes, while Shehzad scored 55 off 39 deliveries, which consisted of six boundaries and a six.

Shehzad hit some magnificent shots during his knock of 55

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Thanks to their magnificent opening stand, Pakistan managed to reach their target with three balls to spare despite losing three quick wickets.

Graeme Cremer was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Brian Vitori and Tinashe Panyangara claimed one wicket each.