Pakistan oust Zimbabwe
Pakistan knocked Zimbabwe out of the Twenty20 tri-series in Harare in a closely-fought encounter on Wednesday, beating the hosts by seven wickets with five deliveries to spare.
Opener Fakhar Zaman top-scored for Pakistan with 47 before captain Sarfraz Ahmed overcame a spirited Zimbabwean fightback and saw his side home with an unbeaten 38.
Their efforts meant that Zimbabwean all-rounder Solomon Mire's bellicose earlier innings earlier went in vain.
Mire struck 94, the highest score by a Zimbabwean in Twenty20 internationals, but Zimbabwe's 162 for 4 was not enough to overcome the world's top-ranked T20 side.
Zaman said Pakistan was always confident they could pull off a successful chase.
"We have a very deep batting line-up, so we were confident we could chase it," he said.
Pakistan given a rapid start by Zaman and fellow opener Haris Sohail, who took 56 from the Powerplay.
Pakistan assured a place in Sunday's final against Australia.
SCORES IN BRIEF
ZIMBABWE: 162 for 4 in 20 overs (Zhuwao 24, Mire 94, Musakanda 33; Amir 1-25, Talat 1-10)
PAKISTAN: 163 for 3 in 19.1 overs (Zaman 47, Talat 44, Ahmed 38 not out; Mire 1-15)
Result: Pakistan won by seven wickets.
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