Pakistan delivered a dominant performance in Rawalpindi, crushing Zimbabwe by 69 runs in the 4th match of the T20I Tri-Series on November 23, 2025. Usman Tariq’s sensational hat-trick and Babar Azam’s brilliant 74-run knock sealed Pakistan’s place in the series final while creating history as Babar equaled Virat Kohli’s remarkable T20I record.
Table of Contents
- Match Summary: Pakistan’s Commanding Victory
- Babar Azam’s Masterclass: 74-Run Blitz
- Usman Tariq’s Historic Hat-Trick
- Babar Azam Equals Virat Kohli Record
- Pakistan’s Explosive Batting Display
- Zimbabwe’s Batting Collapse
- Pakistan Secures Final Berth
- Key Points
- Summary
Match Summary: Pakistan’s Commanding Victory
Pakistan posted a formidable 195/5 in their 20 overs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with Babar Azam (74 off 52 balls) and Sahibzada Farhan (63 off 41 balls) leading the charge. In response, Zimbabwe could only manage 126 runs in 19 overs, falling short by 69 runs.
The match marked Pakistan’s third consecutive victory in the tri-series, confirming their spot in the final. Captain Salman Agha described it as “a perfect win” and praised the team’s consistency after their dominant performances against Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam’s Masterclass: 74-Run Blitz
Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam showcased his class with a magnificent 74-run innings off just 52 deliveries. His knock included multiple boundaries and demonstrated the perfect blend of timing, placement, and power hitting.
Babar and Sahibzada Farhan stitched together a crucial partnership of 103 runs, which proved to be the foundation of Pakistan’s imposing total. Their partnership showcased intelligent batting, rotating the strike consistently even when boundaries dried up during the middle overs.
The duo’s ability to accumulate singles and doubles under pressure frustrated Zimbabwe’s bowlers and set up a platform for the late assault. Sikandar Raza finally broke the partnership by dismissing Sahibzada Farhan, but the damage had already been done.
Usman Tariq’s Historic Hat-Trick
The match will be remembered for Usman Tariq’s sensational hat-trick—Pakistan’s latest in T20 International cricket. Tariq finished with remarkable figures of 4 wickets for just 18 runs, completely dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
The hat-trick came during a crucial phase when Zimbabwe needed momentum. Tariq’s slow, looping deliveries deceived the batsmen, with Wellington Masakadza becoming the hat-trick victim after trying to hit a big shot to long-on, only to find Babar Azam positioned perfectly.
Teammates rushed to congratulate Tariq as he achieved this milestone, joining an elite list of Pakistani bowlers who have taken T20I hat-tricks. His spell broke the back of Zimbabwe’s chase and effectively sealed the match for Pakistan.
Babar Azam Equals Virat Kohli Record
With his 74-run knock, Babar Azam drew level with Indian superstar Virat Kohli in a significant T20I record. The achievement adds another feather to Babar’s cap as he continues to cement his legacy as one of the format’s finest batsmen.
This milestone demonstrates Babar’s consistency and class across all formats of cricket. Despite stepping down from captaincy, his batting form remains as sharp as ever, proving crucial for Pakistan’s success in the tri-series.
Pakistan’s Explosive Batting Display
Pakistan’s total of 195/5 represents the highest first-innings score in the current tri-series, well above the average of 150 runs. The innings showcased the team’s batting depth and aggressive intent.
Key contributions came from:
- Babar Azam: 74 runs off 52 balls
- Sahibzada Farhan: 63 runs off 41 balls
- Partnership: 103-run stand between Babar and Farhan
The batting performance was particularly impressive given the 70-meter boundaries at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Running between the wickets became crucial, and Pakistan excelled in this aspect, as emphasized in their team meeting.
Sikandar Raza was Zimbabwe’s best bowler with 2 wickets for 39 runs, but even his efforts couldn’t stem the flow of runs as Pakistan accelerated brilliantly in the final overs.
Zimbabwe’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 196, Zimbabwe needed a strong start, but their aggressive approach backfired spectacularly. The team was reduced to 60/5 in just 9.2 overs, effectively ending their hopes of victory.
Naseem Shah struck early, getting Tadiwanashe Marumani to chip a simple catch to cover point. Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor fell soon after, unable to provide the stability Zimbabwe desperately needed.
Ryan Burl provided a late counterpunch with an unbeaten 67 off 49 balls, showcasing excellent control and timing. His innings included 5 fours and 2 sixes, minimizing some of the damage to Zimbabwe’s net run rate. However, by the time he got going, the match was already beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.
Mohammad Nawaz also played a crucial role in Pakistan’s bowling attack, claiming 2 wickets for 21 runs. His arm ball proved particularly effective, beating batsmen with pace and trajectory.
Pakistan Secures Final Berth
This victory confirmed Pakistan’s place in the T20I Tri-Series final. Having won their first three matches, the hosts demonstrated their dominance throughout the tournament.
Zimbabwe’s heavy defeat significantly damaged their net run rate, keeping Sri Lanka in contention for the second final spot. Zimbabwe will need to perform exceptionally well in their remaining matches to qualify.
Captain Salman Agha emphasized the team’s focus on consistency and execution. He praised the players for backing up their excellent performance against Sri Lanka with another comprehensive victory.
Key Points
- Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 69 runs in 4th T20I match
- Pakistan scored 195/5; Zimbabwe bowled out for 126
- Babar Azam scored brilliant 74 off 52 balls
- Sahibzada Farhan contributed 63 off 41 balls
- 103-run partnership between Babar and Farhan
- Usman Tariq took historic T20I hat-trick (4/18)
- Babar Azam equaled Virat Kohli’s T20I record
- Ryan Burl scored unbeaten 67 for Zimbabwe
- Mohammad Nawaz claimed 2/21
- Pakistan qualified for tri-series final
- Match played November 23, 2025, in Rawalpindi
Summary
Pakistan delivered a commanding 69-run victory over Zimbabwe in the 4th match of the T20I Tri-Series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 23, 2025. The hosts posted 195/5, powered by Babar Azam’s majestic 74 runs off 52 balls and Sahibzada Farhan’s quickfire 63 off 41 deliveries. Their 103-run partnership laid the foundation for Pakistan’s highest first-innings score of the series. In response, Zimbabwe crumbled to 126 all out in 19 overs, with Usman Tariq’s sensational hat-trick (4/18) proving decisive. Mohammad Nawaz supported well with 2/21, while Ryan Burl’s unbeaten 67 provided late resistance but came too late to change the outcome. The victory confirmed Pakistan’s spot in the final with three consecutive wins. Babar Azam’s innings also saw him equal a significant T20I record held by Virat Kohli, adding historical significance to an already memorable performance. Zimbabwe’s heavy defeat damaged their net run rate, keeping Sri Lanka in contention for the second final spot. Captain Salman Agha praised his team’s perfect execution and consistency throughout the tournament.
