Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza delivered an impressive performance in the opening match of the T20I triseries against Pakistan, held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 18, 2025. His explosive batting helped Zimbabwe set a score of 147 runs for 8 wickets.
Sikandar Raza’s Key Contributions
Raza led from the front with a crucial unbeaten innings of 34 runs off 21 balls. His aggression included three fours and a six, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings under pressure.
Zimbabwe’s Innings Overview
- Total Runs: 147
- Wickets Lost: 8
- Key Performers:
- Brian Bennett: 49 runs off 36 balls
- Tadiwanashe Marumani: 30 runs off 22 balls
- Sikandar Raza: 34 runs off 21 balls
Zimbabwe started strongly, with openers Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett contributing significantly. Marumani scored 30 runs and helped lay a solid foundation for the team. However, the momentum shifted when Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz took a crucial wicket, dismissing Marumani in the eighth over.
Match Turning Points
Bennett and Brendan Taylor briefly stabilized the innings with a partnership of 19 runs until Taylor’s unfortunate runout. Bennett’s wicket, which followed shortly after, marked a significant decline for Zimbabwe as they lost five wickets rapidly after reaching 75 runs. Raza’s resilience was evident as he maintained his composure amid the collapse.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
Mohammad Nawaz was the standout bowler for Pakistan, picking up two wickets for 22 runs. He was supported by Abrar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Shaheen Afridi, each contributing one wicket.
Playing XIs
| Pakistan | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | Brian Bennett |
| Saim Ayub | Tadiwanashe Marumani |
| Babar Azam | Brad Evans |
| Fakhar Zaman | Sikandar Raza (c) |
| Usman Khan (wk) | Brendan Taylor (wk) |
| Salman Agha (c) | Ryan Burl |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Tashinga Musekiwa |
| Faheem Ashraf | Tony Munyonga |
| Shaheen Afridi | Graeme Cremer |
| Salman Mirza | Tinotenda Maposa |
| Abrar Ahmed | Richard Ngarava |
Zimbabwe’s 147 runs have set the stage for an exciting contest in the triseries as they look to build on Raza’s explosive performance against Pakistan.