An unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 65 by Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan set up Pakistan for a 57-run victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
Pakistan, which is chasing a white-ball double in Zimbabwe having already won the ODI series 2-1, won the toss in Bulawayo and posted 165-4 while Zimbabwe was all out for 108 in 15.3 overs.
The tourist was 100-4 with 34 deliveries remaining at Queens Sports Club when Tahir and Khan came together to slam a rapid 65 runs as they punished poor bowling and careless fielding.
Tahir made 39, including a six and four fours, to be joint top-scorer with Usman Khan, who struck four boundaries, two of them sixes.
Irfan Khan finished on 27 from 15 balls with three fours.
“Irfan and I were talking to each other and decided to run hard, hit every ball and if we cannot make a six, then run,” player of the match Tahir told reporters.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who…
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