Set a daunting 215-run target, Zalmi rode on aggressive knocks from Mohammad Haris (47 off 28), Babar Azam (39 off 28), Kusal Mendis (31 off 17) and late fireworks from Michael Bracewell (35 off 17)* and Abdul Samad (33 off 11) to storm home at 218 for 5 in 19.1 overs.
For Bangladesh fans, the contest offered a head-to-head between Rishad Hossain and Shoriful Islam, with both making their presence felt in different phases of the match.
Earlier, Rawalpindi Pindiz piled up 214 for 4 after being sent in to bat, thanks largely to a brilliant 83 off 46 balls from Yasir Khan. He struck seven fours and six sixes, laying the foundation for a big total.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan added 41 off 32, while Kamran Ghulam injected momentum with a rapid 37 off 20. Useful late contributions from Daryl Mitchell (23 off 13) and Sam Billings (18 off 8)* pushed Pindiz past the 200-mark.
For Zalmi, Shariful Islam delivered a relatively tidy spell amid the run-fest, finishing with 0 for 31 in 4 overs. Though wicketless, the Bangladesh left-armer was one of the more economical bowlers on the night, especially compared to the heavy punishment taken by others in the attack.
In reply, Zalmi launched a strong chase through Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam, before Kusal Mendis kept the momentum going in the middle overs.
Rishad Hossain provided Pindiz with a crucial breakthrough when he dismissed Aaron Hardie, who was caught after scoring 8 off 10 balls.
The Bangladesh leg-spinner ended with 1 for 35 in 4 overs, showing control in an otherwise batter-dominated contest.
But Pindiz could not hold their nerve at the death. Bracewell and Abdul Samad shifted the game decisively, before Aamer Jamal’s unbeaten 17 off 5 emphatically sealed the chase.
