Usman Tariq’s hat-trick, and twin fifties from Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan helped Pakistan maintain their spotless record in the T20I tri-series as they defeated Zimbabwe by 69 runs.
Usman Tariq's hat-trick and Babar, Sahibzada fifties take Pakistan to tri-series final
Pakistan started strongly after winning the toss, with Sahibzada Farman maintaining his form to hit a second half-century in two games. Having lost his opening partner Saim Ayub in the third over, Sahibzada was joined by Babar Azam as the duo added 103 runs for the second wicket.
In the process, both batters completed their respective half-centuries, with Babar registering his top T20I score in over 18 months. Batting at No.7, Fakhar Zaman provided the late flourish with a 10-ball 27 to drive Pakistan to 195-5.
In reply, Zimbabwe couldn’t get going, losing both their openers within two overs. A 34-run fourth-wicket partnership between Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl kept them in the hunt, but Pakistan spinners then tightened the screws to take the game away.
Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket each on either side of Usman Tariq’s hat-trick. Playing only his second T20I, the mystery spinner first got Tony Munyonga, who tried to sweep him only to get a top edge, before Tashinga Musekiwa was bowled off the pads. Tariq then had Wellington Masakadza hole out to long on to become the fourth Pakistani bowler to take a T20I hat-trick.
Interestingly, after his baseball-style action was reported twice - once each in the PSL 2024 and 2025 seasons - he explained during a chat with MYK Sports that his unusual action was the result of having "two elbows" in his bowling arm.
The win ensured Pakistan's qualification to the final of the tri-series. They still have another league game with Sri Lanka scheduled before the final on November 29. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, can join Pakistan in the final if they beat Sri Lanka, who are yet to open their account, on November 25.
Match 4, Pakistan vs Zimbabwe
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Pakistan bowlers with men's T20I hat-tricks
| Bowler | Opposition | Venue | Season | Victims |
| Faheem Ashraf | Sri Lanka | Abu Dhabi | 2017/18 | Isuru Udana, Mahela Udawatte, Dasun Shanaka |
| Mohammad Hasnain | Sri Lanka | Lahore | 2019/20 | Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Afghanistan | Sharjah | 2025 | Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ibrahim Zadran |
| Usman Tariq | Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi | 2025/26 | Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza |
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