Usman Tariq’s Magical hat-trick seals Pakistan’s place in tri-series final
Mystery spinner Usman Tariq produced a spell for the ages, grabbing a breathtaking hat-trick and finishing with stunning figures of 4 for 18 to guide Pakistan to a commanding 69-run victory over Zimbabwe in their T20I tri-series clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday night.
The win secured Pakistan’s spot in the November 29 final.
Chasing a daunting 196, Zimbabwe crumbled to 126 all out in 19 overs, with their innings imploding from 60 for 4 to 60 for 7 during a sensational 10th over bowled by the 25-year-old Usman. The Rawalpindi crowd erupted as the unorthodox spinner became only the fourth Pakistani to take a T20I hat-trick.
Zimbabwe’s troubles began early against Pakistan’s fiery pace attack. Naseem Shah struck in his opening over, removing Tadiwanashe Marumani for four, while Mohammad Wasim Jr uprooted Brian Bennett’s stumps to leave the visitors reeling at 14 for 2. Brendan Taylor’s scratchy eight ended tamely when he offered a simple catch to Babar Azam off Faheem Ashraf.
Captain Sikandar Raza briefly counterattacked with 23 off 18 balls—including a massive six off Faheem—but his dismissal to Mohammad Nawaz sparked the dramatic collapse.
Only Ryan Burl resisted, crafting a brilliant unbeaten 67 from 49 balls with eight fours and two sixes, including a 101-metre slog-sweep—the biggest six of the evening. But with wickets tumbling around him, his effort was in vain.
The match’s defining moment came in Usman’s unforgettable 10th over:
- Tony Munyonga top-edged a sweep to short fine leg,
- Tashinga Musekiwa was bowled playing too early,
- Wellington Masakadza skied a slog-sweep to long-on—completing Usman’s hat-trick.
He later returned to bowl Tinotenda Maposa, sealing his career-best figures.
Burl added a defiant last-wicket stand of 44 with Richard Ngarava, who was run out off the final ball, but the contest was long settled.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a strong 195 for 5, powered by a blistering late cameo from Fakhar Zaman, who hammered an unbeaten 27 from just 10 balls, including three sixes. His 25-run demolition of Brad Evans in the final over—helped by a crucial no-ball—lifted Pakistan’s finish after a steady middle phase.
A classy 103-run stand between Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan laid the foundation. Farhan continued his fine form with 63 off 41, while Babar grew into his innings, striking 74 off 52 before falling to Raza.
Despite a brief middle-order wobble, Fakhar’s late fireworks propelled Pakistan to a total that always looked formidable on a pitch offering grip and occasional low bounce.
