On December 1, 2024, Pakistan national cricket team crushed Zimbabwe national cricket team by 57 runs in the opening T20I of their three-match series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Pakistan posted 165 for 4 in their 20 overs, then bowled out Zimbabwe for just 108 in 15.3 overs — a performance that underscored their dominance in a rivalry where they’ve won 38 of 48 meetings. The win wasn’t just a stat; it was a statement. Zimbabwe, still reeling from a narrow ODI series loss, had hoped to bounce back. Instead, they were dismantled by disciplined bowling and steady batting under pressure.
Pakistan’s Batting Sets the Tone
Pakistan’s innings lacked fireworks but delivered precision. With no single batter crossing 50, the team relied on partnerships and smart shot selection. Salman Agha, who later became a key figure in the series finale, anchored the middle order with a measured 32, while Arafat Minhas stayed not out on 22. The real difference came from the lower order — Jahandad Khan and Abbas Afridi chipped in with quick runs at the death, helping Pakistan reach 165 despite losing four wickets. The pitch offered little turn, and Zimbabwe’s spinners, including Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani, couldn’t contain the flow. It wasn’t a record score, but it was more than enough.Zimbabwe’s Collapse Was Stunning
Zimbabwe’s reply unraveled early. Brian Bennett and Dion Myers were both back in the pavilion by the end of the third over, leaving Zimbabwe at 18 for 2. The collapse was brutal. The middle order, which had shown promise in the previous ODI series, failed to rebuild. Marumani (38) and Burl (17) offered brief resistance, but the pressure from Pakistan’s pace attack — led by Afridi’s 3 for 24 and Jahandad Khan’s 2 for 18 — was relentless. By the 11th over, Zimbabwe was 92 for 5, and the writing was on the wall. They never recovered. The final wicket fell with 27 balls unused. Fans in Bulawayo sat in silence. It was the kind of performance that makes you wonder if Zimbabwe’s recent T20 World Cup qualifiers were a fluke.A Series Already in Hand
This match wasn’t just about the scoreline. It was the continuation of a pattern. Pakistan had already won the preceding ODI series 2-1, having lost the first match by 80 runs on November 24 but then demolished Zimbabwe by 10 wickets on November 26 and 99 runs on November 28. The T20I series began with Pakistan already riding a wave of momentum. By the time they took the field on December 1, they weren’t just playing to win — they were playing to send a message. And they did.
The Series Unfolds: Dominance, Then Drama
Pakistan didn’t stop there. Three days later, on December 3, they wrapped up the second T20I in just 5.3 overs, chasing down 57 with 10 wickets in hand. Zimbabwe’s innings of 57 was their lowest T20I total since 2021. But then came the twist. In the final match — played on December 5 — Zimbabwe, led by debutant Tinotenda Maposa, pulled off a stunning 2-run win. Pakistan scored 132 for 7, and Zimbabwe chased it down with eight wickets down in 19.5 overs. Maposa’s last-over heroics — a six off the penultimate ball — turned a certain defeat into a historic escape. Still, Pakistan had already sealed the series. The 2-1 result didn’t change the narrative: Pakistan’s depth, discipline, and experience were too much for Zimbabwe to handle over a full series.Historical Context: A One-Sided Rivalry
This wasn’t an upset. It was business as usual. Pakistan and Zimbabwe have met 48 times across formats since 1982. Pakistan has won 38. Zimbabwe has won four. The rest were ties or no-results. In T20Is alone, Pakistan leads 11-1. The last time Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in a bilateral T20I series was 2013. Since then, Pakistan has won every encounter. Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza, has been the exception — a rare bright spot — scoring 74 not out against Namibia in the T20 World Cup Africa qualifiers just weeks before this tour. But even he couldn’t carry a team lacking depth in pace bowling and power-hitting.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Pakistan heads into 2025 with momentum, preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies. This tour was a confidence-builder — especially for young bowlers like Abbas Afridi and Jahandad Khan, who proved they can deliver under pressure. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, faces a reckoning. Their top order is inconsistent. Their spinners are vulnerable against right-handed batters. And their pace attack, despite Richard Ngarava’s three-wicket haul in the Africa final, lacks consistency. The ICC’s new ranking system could see them slip further out of the top 10 if they don’t address these issues quickly. For now, they’re left with one shining moment — Maposa’s final-over six — but little else.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Pakistan manage to win despite no individual century in the first T20I?
Pakistan didn’t need a big score — they needed consistency. With no batter scoring over 50, the team relied on balanced contributions from the top to the bottom of the order. Salman Agha’s 32 and Arafat Minhas’s 22* provided stability, while lower-order runs from Afridi and Khan pushed the total to 165 — a competitive total on a slow Bulawayo pitch. The real win came from the bowling, which restricted Zimbabwe to just 108.
Why did Zimbabwe collapse so badly in their chase?
Zimbabwe’s top order, which had shown promise in the ODI series, faltered under pressure. Pakistan’s pacers exploited the lack of bounce and pace variation, with Abbas Afridi and Jahandad Khan consistently hitting the right lengths. Zimbabwe’s middle order, including Marumani and Burl, lacked aggression, and the death overs were poorly executed. Their batting depth — only seven players scored runs — exposed a fundamental weakness in their squad structure.
Who were the standout performers for Pakistan in the series?
Abbas Afridi was the series’ most impactful bowler, taking 5 wickets across the three matches at an economy of 5.8. Jahandad Khan added 4 wickets with tight lines, while Salman Agha and Arafat Minhas provided crucial lower-order stability. In the second T20I, both Agha and Minhas contributed to a record chase with minimal risk. Their calmness under pressure made them the backbone of Pakistan’s success.
What does this series mean for Zimbabwe’s cricket future?
It’s a wake-up call. Zimbabwe’s win in the final T20I was dramatic but unsustainable. Their top order remains fragile, and their pace attack lacks consistency beyond Richard Ngarava. Without structured development programs and exposure to high-pressure conditions, they risk falling further behind in ICC rankings. The debut of Tinotenda Maposa offers hope, but one hero moment won’t fix systemic issues in coaching and player development.
Has Pakistan ever lost a T20I series to Zimbabwe before?
No. Pakistan has never lost a bilateral T20I series to Zimbabwe. In their 12 previous T20I meetings, Pakistan has won 11, with one no-result. Their last series loss to Zimbabwe was in ODIs back in 2001. This 2024 tour extended their dominance, even though Zimbabwe won the final match. The series result — 2-1 — reflects Pakistan’s overall superiority, not Zimbabwe’s resurgence.
Where will the next Pakistan-Zimbabwe series be held?
The next bilateral series is scheduled for early 2025 in Pakistan, with matches expected in Lahore and Karachi. Zimbabwe will be looking to rebuild their confidence on home soil, but Pakistan will enter as heavy favorites. The series will be a crucial test for Zimbabwe’s young players and a chance for Pakistan to fine-tune their squad ahead of the 2025 ICC T20 World Cup.
