Solomon Mire fought valiantly, but it wasn’t enough to topple Pakistan

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Zimbabwe opener Solomon Mire struck a career-best 94, but it went in vain as Pakistan knocked the hosts out of the T20 tri-series tournament after claiming a seven-wicket win.

Being put in to bat first, Zimbabwe made a solid start to their innings as Mire and Cephas Zhuwao amassed a 49-run partnership before Zhuwao was clean bowled by Faheem Ashraf for 24.

Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza only scored two runs before he was cleaned up by Shadab Khan.

Mire and Tarisai Musakanda stabilised the innings with a 64-run partnership before Mire was caught by Shadab at deep midwicket off the bowling of Hussain Talat for 94, which came off 63 balls and included six boundaries and six sixes.

Musakanda went on to make a 22-ball 33 as Zimbabwe finished on 162/4 off their 20 overs.

Faheem, Shadab, Talat and Mohammad Amir picked up one wicket apiece.

Chasing 163 to win, Pakistan made a fantastic start to their innings as openers Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail put together a 58-run partnership before Sohail was dismissed by Wellington Masakadza for 16.

Zaman went on to score 47 off 38 balls, which included four boundaries and a six, before he was sent packing by Mire.

Talat and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed added 43 runs to the score before Talat was caught by Zhuwao at backward point off the bowling of Chris Mpofu for a 35-ball 44, which included a six.

Sarfraz and Shoaib Malik mopped up the remaining runs as Pakistan won the match with five balls to spare.

Sarfraz finished on 38 off 21 balls, which included six boundaries, while Malik struck a six-ball 12, which included two boundaries.

Mpofu, Masakadza and Mire claimed one wicket each.

Mire was named Man of the Match.