Depleted Zimbabwe Drubbed By Pakistan In Tri-Series Opener

The Zimbabwe cricket team was defeated by 74 runs by Pakistan on Sunday in the opener of the Twenty20 International (T20I) triangular series. Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan batted first and scored 182 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Fakhar Zaman top scored with a career-best 61 runs. However, Zimbabwe’s batsmen failed to chase the seemingly imposing target and were all out for 108. Debutant Tarisai Musakanda top-scored for Zimbabwe with 43 runs.

Zimbabwe was not helped by the fact that five of its senior players, Brendan Taylor, Graeme Cremer, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine were not selected after they allegedly opted to sit out the series unless they were paid their outstanding salaries and match fees. Zimbabwe was also not helped by the fact that Hamilton Masakadza was selected as captain on the day before the match.