In a spectacular display of spin bowling, mystery spinner Usman Tariq scripted history with a stunning hat-trick that propelled Pakistan into the T20 tri-series final with a commanding 69-run victory over Zimbabwe at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Tariq's Magical Over Turns the Game
The match witnessed a dramatic turning point in the 10th over when Usman Tariq worked his magic, completely dismantling Zimbabwe's middle order. The over began with Zimbabwe at 60-4, but within three deliveries, the visitors collapsed to 60-7, thanks to Tariq's exceptional bowling performance.
The hat-trick sequence unfolded with precision: first, Tony Munyonga was caught at short fine leg, then Tashinga Musekiwa was clean bowled on the very next delivery. The crowning moment came when Babar Azam leaped to take a spectacular catch at mid-off to dismiss Wellington Masakadza, completing Tariq's memorable hat-trick.
Not content with just the hat-trick, Tariq added another wicket to his tally by bowling Tinotenda Maposa with a perfectly executed googly, finishing with remarkable figures that cemented Pakistan's dominance in the crucial encounter.
Historic Achievement for Pakistan Cricket
With this extraordinary performance, Usman Tariq became only the fourth Pakistani bowler to claim a T20 hat-trick, joining the elite company of Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, and Mohammad Nawaz. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that this was only Tariq's second T20 international match since making his debut against South Africa earlier this month.
Speaking after his match-winning performance, Tariq revealed the secret behind his success: "There's a big process behind my bowling action. I need to take care of pace and spin variations. I wasn't expecting a big shot on the hat-trick ball, thanks to the batter."
Babar Azam's Commanding Batting Display
While Tariq's bowling stole the spotlight, Babar Azam continued his excellent form with a masterful half-century that laid the foundation for Pakistan's imposing total. The star batsman scored 74 runs, showcasing his class and timing throughout his innings.
Babar received solid support from Sahibzada Farhan, who contributed a valuable 63 runs, as the pair built a strong partnership. The innings gained late momentum thanks to Fakhar Zaman's explosive cameo of 27 not out from just 10 balls, helping Pakistan post a challenging 195-5 in their 20 overs.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who took two wickets during Pakistan's innings, acknowledged his team's struggles against spin bowling: "I thought apart from the last over, it was a typical Pindi wicket. If you're not ahead of the game, teams will find you out... the manner we've played spin we can't carry on like that. We'll help each other out and find our feet."
The comprehensive victory not only secured Pakistan's place in the tri-series final but also served as a strong statement of intent as they continue to build momentum in the T20 format. The team's balanced performance, featuring both batting fireworks and bowling excellence, makes them strong contenders for the tournament title.
