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Babar Azam fifty helps Pakistan win 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe

Babar Azam smashed a fifty and led from the front as Pakistan won the first Twenty20 International against Zimbabwe with ease in Rawalpindi.

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Babar Azam has been in fine form in white-ball cricket and he once again put on a great show to help Pakistan beat Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Rawalpindi.
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Babar Azam’s 15th Twenty20 International fifty reaffirmed his class as he led from the front in grand style to help Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets in the first T20I at Rawalpindi on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Zimbabwe were looking good for a big score thanks to an aggressive fifty from Wesley Madhevere but good bowling from Wahab Riaz and Haris Rauf helped Pakistan restrict the visitors as they chased the total down without any hassles. Zimbabwe chose to bat and they were immediately dealt a blow in the first over with Mohammad Hasnain getting rid of Chamu Chibhabha for 0.

Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams looked in great touch, with Williams hitting two boundaries off Hasnain. However, Haris Rauf got the big wicket of Brendan Taylor as Zimbabwe struggled in the powerplay. Usman Qadir, making his debut for Pakistan, had a rough start when Williams and Wesley Madhevere hit a boundary and a six in his first over which went for 13 runs. However, Qadir had his revenge when he got the wicket of Williams for 25.

Madhevere kept hitting the boundaries, including two in one over bowled by Faheem Ashraf. The youngster notched up his fifty and celebrated it with two boundaries off Ashraf in the 15th over. However, Zimbabwe struggled in the death overs as Pakistan kept a tight check on the runs but Elton Chigumbura, who announced that he was retiring from international cricket after the end of the Pakistan series, hit a four and a six in the final over bowled by Wahab Riaz as Zimbabwe crossed 150 to end on 156/6.

Babar Azam masterclass

Pakistan started off in a blaze with Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam taking the attack to the Zimbabwe bowlers. Fakhar Zaman hit a four and a six off Blessing Muzarabani but the bowler had the last laugh as the batsman top-edged a short ball to depart for 19. However, Babar Azam was in a different league and he smashed two boundaries off Tendai Chatara. Haider Ali departed cheaply but Babar Azam found good support in Mohammad Hafeez.

Babar Azam neared his fifty with a four and a slog swept six off Richard Ngarava and he notched up his fifty off 34 balls. The game was sealed when Muzarabani dropped Babar Azam on 66 in the 14th over and Mohammad Hafeez added salt to the wounds by hitting a four and a six off Sikandar Raza.

Babar Azam fell for 82 and despite losing a couple of wickets, Pakistan managed to win the game without much pressure. The second game wil be played at the same venue on Sunday.

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