Mystery spinner Usman Tariq delivered a career-defining performance on Sunday night, ripping through Zimbabwe with a stunning hat-trick and extraordinary figures of 4 for 18, propelling Pakistan to a commanding 69-run win and a place in the November 29 tri-series final at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Usman Tariq Turns the Match on Its Head
Chasing 196, Zimbabwe crumbled to 126 all out, undone by a devastating collapse from 60 for 4 to 60 for 7 — all within five balls during Usman’s magical 10th over.
The 25-year-old became only the fourth Pakistani in history to claim a T20I hat-trick, sending the Rawalpindi crowd into a frenzy.
Zimbabwe’s innings never recovered after early blows from Pakistan’s pacers.
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Naseem Shah removed Marumani (4) early.
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Wasim Jr bowled Brian Bennett (9) with a sizzling inswinger.
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Faheem Ashraf dismissed Brendan Taylor (8).
Captain Sikandar Raza fought briefly with a brisk 23, but once he fell to Mohammad Nawaz in the eighth over, Zimbabwe’s resistance collapsed.
The only bright spot for the visitors was Ryan Burl, who crafted a brilliant 67 off 49* with eight fours and two sixes, including a massive 101-metre slog-sweep, the biggest six of the match.
The Hat-Trick That Shattered Zimbabwe
Usman’s unforgettable over included:
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Munyonga top-edging a sweep,
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Musekiwa bowled playing too early,
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Masakadza skying a slog-sweep to complete the hat-trick.
He later bowled Tinotenda Maposa to finish with his best T20I figures.
Fakhar Zaman’s Late Carnage Pushes Pakistan to 195
Earlier, Pakistan had posted an imposing 195 for 5, thanks to a brutal late cameo from Fakhar Zaman, who smashed 27 off just 10 balls, including three sixes and a match-turning 25-run final over against Brad Evans.
A composed 103-run stand between Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan provided the backbone of the innings.
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Farhan struck a classy 63 off 41.
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Babar paced his innings beautifully, crafting 74 off 52 before falling late.
Despite a brief middle-order stumble, Fakhar’s fireworks ensured Pakistan ended with a total well beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.
Result: Pakistan Win by 69 Runs — Final Awaits on November 29
With Usman Tariq’s hat-trick lighting up Rawalpindi and Pakistan’s batting firing at the death, the hosts sealed their spot in the tri-series final in emphatic style.
