Chasing a modest total of 147, Pakistan suffered early blows as Sahibzada Farhan (16), Saim Ayub (22), Babar Azam (0), and captain Salman Ali Agha (1) were dismissed within the first half of the innings.
Fakhar Zaman then anchored the chase with a fluent 44 off 32 balls, forming a vital 61-run partnership with Usman Khan for the fifth wicket before falling to Richard Ngarava.
Usman Khan contributed 37 off 28 deliveries, while Mohammad Nawaz’s quick 21 off 12 helped steer Pakistan to 151 for 5 in 19.2 overs, securing victory with four balls to spare.
Mohammad Nawaz was named Player of the Match. Brad Evans was Zimbabwe’s standout bowler, claiming 2 for 26, while Tinotenda Maposa and Graeme Cremer took one wicket each.
Earlier, Zimbabwe, batting first, posted a competitive 147 for 8 in their 20 overs. Openers Brian Bennett (49 off 36) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (30 off 22) laid a solid foundation with a 72-run opening stand.
Skipper Sikandar Raza contributed 34 off 24 balls, including three boundaries and a six, while Brendan Taylor added 14. The rest of Zimbabwe’s batting lineup struggled to build momentum.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz led the bowling attack with 2 for 22, supported by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Salman Mirza, Saim Ayub, and Abrar Ahmed, who each took a wicket.
Up next, Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe on Thursday, followed by Pakistan facing Sri Lanka on Saturday.
