Madhevere’s history-making effort in vain as Pakistan ease home in first T20I

Wessly Madhevere scored an unbeaten 70 but that counted for nought as Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the first T20I of a three match series at Rawalpindi on Saturday.

The score meant that Madhevere, at 20 years and 64 days became the youngest Zimbabwean to call a half century in T20 internationals. What even impressed more was that his effort came off just 48 balls with nine fours and one of only two maximums in match.

And he needed to after Zimbabwe had the worst possible start. Having won the toss they lost captain Chamu Chibhabha with the third ball of the innings. He reviewed when it looked plum and the umpire’s decision stayed. He faced two balls and scored off neither of them.

Sean Williams joined Brendan Taylor for the final ball of the first over with the score still on 5.

The pair then set about building a partnership, scoring boundaries regularly before Taylor flicked one off his pads only to find Haider Ali at deep midwicket for 20.

In stepped Madhevere, playing with a lot of fluency and intent and together with Williams put togther 36 runs.

Usman Qadir got his first wicket on debut when Williams danced down the wicket only to swing and miss for 25. The ball crashed into his leg stump.

After that Zimbabwe struggled to make runs until Elton Chigumbura, who anounced his intention to retire from international cricket at the end of this tour stepped in and swung his willow making 21 off off 13 before he got out off the final ball.

Zimbabwe made 156/6

It was always 20 runs too short on a flat pitch and the star batsman and Pakistan captain Babar Zaman showed why he is the best in the format across the world. His 83 off 55 balls anchored the Pakistan innings as they got to their target with seven balls to spare.