Imad Wasim stars in Pakistan’s T20 victory over Zimbabwe

Harare: Left-armer Imad Wasim took four wickets to spin Pakistan to a 13-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first of two Twenty20 internationals at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Although Zimbabwe put in a disciplined performance with the ball after losing the toss, restricting Pakistan to 136 for eight, they were unable to contend with Wasim’s bowling on a slow pitch and crumbled to 123 for nine in reply.

Zimbabwe have never beaten Pakistan in a Twenty20 international in seven attempts to date.

The 26-year-old finished with figures of 4 for 11 from four overs, and was named man of the match having also contributed 19 runs from just 12 balls. “Everything I touched turned into gold today,” Wasim said afterwards.

“I tried to bowl wicket-to-wicket and the basics paid off.”

Earlier, Chamu Chibhabha’s triple-strike rocked Pakistan’s top order and left the tourists to scramble to a mediocre total. (Photo: AFP)

Seamer Chibhabha struck three times in six deliveries to reduce Pakistan to 29 for three early on, from which the visitors only partially recovered to post 136 for eight after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Pakistan’s total was built around contributions from Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan, with Malik scoring 35 before he was bowled by a skiddy Sean Williams delivery, and Rizwan finishing 33 not out.

Pakistan handed an international debut to left-arm seamer Imran Khan following his wicket-taking exploits in their domestic Twenty20 competition earlier this month, while all-rounder Luke Jongwe made his Twenty20 international bow for Zimbabwe.

“We just lost too many wickets at the end,” Chigumbura reflected after the match.

Brief scores: Pakistan 136/8 in 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 35, Mohammad Rizwan 33, Chamu Chibhabha 3/18) beat Zimbabwe 123/9 in 20 overs (Elton Chigumbura 31, Imad Wasim 4/11).