ZIM VS PAK - 4th Match, Australia and Pakistan in Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series, 2018

Pakistan vs Australia - Sunday - Big final. But hello, there is action between the two before that as well and that is tomorrow. Zimbabwe have been knocked out but that was not something unprecedented. They were missing out on a few key players and it became more difficult for them to turn the tables around. Mire's entertaining 94 was the highlight of the day and we had immense pleasure in bringing that to you. Buhbye for now!!

Sarfraz Ahmed: The bowlers did disappoint and I was not happy with that. After our bowling got over, it looked like a good batting track. We need to finish games as well but that did not happen despite two batsmen getting into the 40s. Big game tomorrow as we would try to take the winning momentum into the finals.

Hamilton Masakadza: Definitely much better from the boys as they put up a much better fight. They bowled well at the death and we ended 10 or 15 runs short. The guys did not operate well under pressure. We don't get too many international games so every game is important.

Solomon Mire, Man of the Match: Was a good day and it came off today. The game plan was to have one of the top three guys to kick on and get a big score. I had an operation after the WC qualifiers and have been struggling with the ball a bit. Felt better today.

The series has gone as per script. As per form and class as well. Zimbabwe not exactly outclassed but were always behind the 8-ball. Pakistan were set a middling target of 163 and thanks to Fakhar Zaman's quick start off the blocks, the base was set. Hussain Talat showed urgency and their skipper did what he does best like a busy bee. Zimbabwe earlier in the day were propelled by Solomon Mire's 94, the highest score by a Zimbabwean batsman in a T20I. He though did not get much of a hand from the other end and that has meant that they have been eliminated with a game for them still to go. We will back with the captain comments and the award ceremony.

Mpofu to Sarfraz, FOUR, that should be it. Pakistan win this by 7 wickets and qualify for the final! Another solid display with the bat with a few minor glitches. That was short, the batsman ran it down towards third man and got the desired four to put an end to the game

Muzarabani to Shoaib Malik, no run, length delivery wide outside off and the batsman trying to slog it away, misses. We will see action in the final over then. 4 runs still needed

Muzarabani to Sarfraz, 1 run, backs away and taps the ball into the off-side for a single

Muzarabani to Sarfraz, FOUR, full and wide, four! That was a nail in the coffin. The man at sweeper cover had no chance. He did not try to hit it hard and relied on timing it

Muzarabani to Sarfraz, 2 runs, they get a brace! Yeah, they do. Poor backing up job from the bowler as the throw came in from long-on. That allowed the ever alert Sarf to take the second run after he yorked the ball out to long-on

Muzarabani to Sarfraz, 2 runs, right up there and has been blocked out into the on-side for a brace as the man at square leg failed to stop the couple. 11 off 10 balls should be done without any more hiccups

Muzarabani to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, walks at a full toss and clips the ball away to find the man at square leg, who fumbles and allows the single

Mpofu to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, backs away and chops the ball away to point to get a single. Sarf pushing the batsman to take the single. 14 needed now. Two blows and it has completely changed the equation, which was starting to look a little iffy

Mpofu to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, comes down the track and heaves the ball away on the on-side to get it between deep square and deep mid for a four. The man at deep mid might have missed the tracjectory of the ball there

Mpofu to Shoaib Malik, 2 runs, slower delivery at the pads and was pushed down to long-on to pinch a double. Superb piece of running for the veteran

Mpofu to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, backs away and hammers the cut over point for a four. Straightaway gets into the act and delivers the big blow. 21 off 15 balls

Shoaib Malik, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Mpofu to Talat, out Caught by Zhuwao!! Slapped on the up and it finds the man at point. That was full and wide, the batsman went after the room but failed to place it. Is there a twist in the tale? Pakistan though still have their skipper in the middle with 25 needed off 16 balls. Talat c Zhuwao b Mpofu 44(35) [6s-1]

Mpofu to Talat, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Mpofu to Talat, wide, shuffles, and Mpofu goes wider. Talat goes back to his leave