The Tri-Nation Series, A Review!
The number one T20 side since 2016, with a winning streak of 7 games team Pakistan landed Zimbabwe with high moral and an aim to maintain all that they have as a world class T20 side. Sarfaraz XI was on their imprints to confront the host, and Australia as the Zimbabwe Tri-Nation Series kicked off.
The opening match of the series was set between Masakada XI and Green Shirts. A convincing start for Pakistan as accumulate a great looking total of 181 runs, opener Fakhar Zaman with his career-best 61 acted as the backbone while the called of future star Asif Ali and well experienced Shoaib Malik obeyed supporting parts. All went in the same tune when bowler strike with class and outclassed the host at 108 in 17.5 overs, this handed 74 runs victory to Pakistan and increment in winning chain. From the 2nd innings, Muskanada stood as the highest run scorer with his 43 runs, before he was caught by Shahdab of Usman Khan. From bowling court, Mohammad Nawaz for Pakistan and Chisoro for Zimbabwe maintained the best economy in the wake of tossing4overs, 2.75 and 7.0 respectively, both collected 2 wickets in their account.
As the series continues, the second clash was set between Aussies and Pakistan, it was expected to be a good game of cricket as both were sufficiently capable to posture one. The green camp was in endeavors of adding another W(win) to their 8W’s while Australia was under pressure as they have a losing streak of the match (from all formats) behind them, 3 tests from South Africa, 5ODI’s and a T20 from England. Going with the ball first, Aussies made it obvious that they are here to steal the show. The batting line collapsed like a salt wall, and the team somehow managed to collect 116 on board with Shahdab’s 29 as the highest individual score. Stanlake and Tye shake the opponent's side and sent 4 and 3 players to pavilion, respectively. Such small total was not defendable by Pakistani bowlers, thus both of the streaks were over with this game. The winning cable was broken, and Australia brushed off the top T20 team. Captain Sarfaraz said it was important toss and we have to work on plenty of things “Toss is very important, if you lose too many wickets in first six overs, you can't survive in the match. Credit to Stanlake, he bowled with pace and bounce. Plenty to work on.”
Next game, that held between the host and Finch XI marked a massive world record and high scoring play. Going first on the crease, Aussies batsmen smashed at maximum. With Captains inning of 172 runs (comprised of 76 balls), the batting side posed a gigantic total of 229 runs, losing just 2 wickets. A huge score is already enough to shiver chasing confidence, and Zimbabwe as a small side was sounding to be in trouble. But somehow, Masakda’s boys played 20 overs but handed a 100 runs victory to Australia as they scored 129 runs by the end of innings. This 172 by skipper is now highest individual T20 score.
The tour was comprised on 7 matches. 2 games with each other and a final. So, the next 3 plays were going to be a repeating cycle. Zimbabwe takes on Pakistan in the 4th clash and depicted a much-improved performance. Batting first, they did a hard-hitting and posted 162 as the target. The best innings was played by Mire, 94 of 63, guided by 6 fours and 6 sixes. That was not a bowling day for Pakistan, each of the bowler faced at least 6.0 economy. The batting side started it smoothly, and the opener Fakhar Zaman with his 47 runs once again directed the side towards ease, accompanied with Hussain Talat’s 44 and supported with 38 by the skipper. With this defeat by 7 wickets, Zimbabwe was out from the race although they had a very good game day and it was certain that Australia will confront Pakistan in the finals.
The finalists were head to head before the final in game 6. Here, it was the time for Sarfaraz's gang to get the game and accelerate the confidence before the final clash, likewise, it was time for Finch & Co. to hammer the side again and boost up their selves for raising the trophy. On that day the green side was way too different than off game 2, the body language was loud, clear and confident! Going with the bat first, team Pakistan did a decent job, with Fakhar’s valuable 73 runs they put on card 194 as winning mark. The middle order here contributed with small yet helping individual scores. The under-19 star, Shaheen Shah Afridi shinned here and collected 3 valuable wickets, as the bowling side kept it under control, Aussies were restricted at 149 and a pleasing 45 runs victory landed to Pakistani side.
Zimbabwe plays last listed match with Aussies and had another day with some good game yet ended with defeat. With this, the host ended up their journey in the home Tri-Nation series but they managed to collect some moments with improved games.
For being the champions, the two teams locked horns in the final battle. It was opening blustering type of series, some fire hitting, and sensible innings were witnessed throughout the series. Same happened as Australia took the pitch first, Short with the partner opened the game in a fast manner. It was on 95 runs when bowling side gets its’s first breakthrough as Shahdab sent Aron back. After this dismissal, the bowling side strikes, and the table started turning. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir picked 3, the young gun Shadab Khan discharged 2 and this calmed the destructive start. The Kangaroos who were heading towards 200 or plus wrapped their inning at 183. As said, it was opening hitting game, Fakhar maintained the class. It was constant yet upsetting that Pakistan failed to maintain a proper opening couple, Haris Sohail didn’t get enough with the bat as a go with opener hence, it marked the debut of bench player Sahibzada Farhan. But the trend didn’t fade out, Farhan got stumped on the first ball of his career, from then the star opener carried the game in pure heroic style! With a blustering 91 runs, Fakhar saved another final for his side. Shoaib Malik’s 43 and Sarfraz’s 28 was all about how experience play on the pitch! A sight of smile, celebration, and relief was witnessed as Asif Ali guided the ball for 4 in the last over and that was added as winning runs!
The team shrugged all point that would have dragged them back and step with steadiness to secure the best spot and to make it obvious that why they are the number 1 seeded T20 side. For all the magic he spread throughout the series, Fakhar Zaman was awarded the man of the match and series.
After having a successful series Fakhar jumped to 2nd spot in ICC T20 latest batsmen ranking. With the class he is following with bat it is highly expected that the opener can achieve the landmark of scoring most runs in the calendar year. The record now is resting beside the name of Indian skipper, Virat Kohli who scored 641 in 2016, while Zaman has scored 516 runs in 2018 till date. He needs 126 runs to surpass it and crowned this honor.
