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Pakistan hold off improved Zimbabwe to reach tri-series final

Pakistan worked their way to a seven wicket victory with five balls to spare over an improved Zimbabwe to book their place in the tri-series final on Sunday at Harare Sports Club.

Solomon Mire bats for Zimbabwe against Harare Sports Club PIC: Zimbabwe Cricket

Having not come to the races so far this series, Zimbabwe were put in to bat.

Three changes had been made by Zimbabwe with Cephas Zhuwao, Wellington Maskadza and Malcolm Waller coming in.

And it was Zhuwao who started brightly in a form of the game that one would seem was perfectly suited for him. He was out for 24, bowled by Faheem Ashraf. That was after an opening stand.

Next out was Hamilton Masakadza for just 2.

Solomon Mire was blasting his way to a record innings, with six fours and as many sixes. The agile Tarisai Musakanda on the other end worked with him to put together a 64-run partnership.

Player of the match Mire would go out for 94 off 63 balls, the highest number of runs by a Zimbabwean in a T20I after getting respite after skying one and then mistiming a shot to deep midwicket off Hussain Talat.

Musakanda would go for 33 off 22 with penultimate ball of the innings sending one to long-on.

Zimbabwe set a par score of 162-4.

Pakistan were aggressive up front and reached their 50 off five overs.

Haris Sohail was the first to go, falling to Wellington Masakadza with the ball caught by Mire at long-on.

Pakistan did not lose their rhythm and curated runs in the manner that they have been able to in becoming the number one team in this format.

Mire did get the wicket of Fakhar Zaman (47) and Chris Mpofu removed Talat for 44 but there just wasn’t any doubt as to who would win the match.

Pakistan are now in the final but there are two matches to go. They play Australia on Thursday and Zimbabwe take on the Aussies on Friday before the final on Sunday.

Quick sidebar: Before the match started there was a moment of silence for the Karen, the wife of former Zimbabwe international Gary Brent who sadly passed away.

Second sidebar:  Zimbabwean umpire Iknow Chabi took part in his first ever international in the middle. He was with Langton Rusere.

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