Pakistan knocked Zimbabwe out of the T20I tri-nation series in Harare in a closely-fought encounter Wednesday, beating the host by seven wickets with five deliveries to spare.
Opener Fakhar Zaman top-scored for Pakistan with 47 before captain Sarfraz Ahmed overcame a spirited Zimbabwean fightback and saw his side home with an unbeaten 38.
Their efforts meant that Zimbabwean allrounder Solomon Mire's bellicose innings earlier went in vain.
Mire struck 94, the highest score by a Zimbabwean in T20Is, but Zimbabwe's 162 for 4 was not enough to overcome the world's top-ranked T20I side.
Zaman said Pakistan was always confident they could pull off a successful chase.
Pakistan given a rapid start by Zaman and fellow opener Haris Sohail, who took 56 from the Powerplay.
Solomon Mire dismissed for 94:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) July 4, 2018
- The highest individual T20I score for Zimbabwe. (Prev: 93* by H Masakadza)
- The highest individual T20I score vs Pakistan. (Prev: 91 by Evin Lewis)#ZIMvPAK
Sohail holed out soon afterwards, but Zaman continued to show the sort of touch that made him vital to Pakistan's successful Champions Trophy run last year.
Mixing aggression with an ability to manoeuvre the ball around the field, he cracked four fours and a six.
The tactic spoke volumes about his development as a limited overs batsman.
He may have learnt even more from Sarfraz's innings of calm precision that kept Pakistan up with an asking rate that hovered around eight for much of the match.
Executing his attacking strokes perfectly, Sarfraz found the gaps and the boundaries whenever they were needed.
He displayed a particularly deft touch with his late cut, taking boundaries off left-arm spinners Tendai Chisoro and Wellington Masakadza with the stroke.
Solomon Mire makes Zimbabwe's highest T20I score as the hosts set Pakistan a target of 163 https://t.co/D9Heo6QzjL #ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/sYhgLKnY7X
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 4, 2018
With four runs needed from the final over, it was also the shot he used to end the game, gliding seamer Chris Mpofu to the third man boundary.
Where Sarfraz's innings was one of finesse, Mire's 63-ball 94 for Zimbabwe showcased big-hitting ability.
Mire started slowly, but hit his first six into the stands beyond long leg to move into the 20s and was soon smashing Pakistan's attack to all corners of the ground.
Mire's fourth six took him to a 32-ball half century, his first in this format, and he wasn't done there.
He collected a fifth six with a huge strike down the ground off Mohammad Nawaz's left-arm spin, and then lifted fast bowler Mohammad Amir for the biggest hit of the day, over the roof of the three storey stand beyond midwicket.
He eventually fell for 94 attempting another big hit, but his 64-run third wicket stand with Tarisai Musakanda boosted Zimbabwe to a respectable total after two poor outings in this tournament.
Pakistan have never conceded a century in T20Is. Solomon Mire’s 94 today is the highest score by any batsman against them beating 91 by Evin Lewis last year. #ZIMvPAK
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 4, 2018
It was not enough to beat Pakistan, however, who are now assured a place in Sunday's final against Australia.
BRIEF SCORE
Pakistan 163/3 in 19.1 overs (Fakhar 47, Talat 44) beat Zimbabwe 162/4 (Mire 94, Musakanda 33) by seven wickets
