The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard from the December 2024 T20I series tells a story that is equal parts stunning domination, jaw-dropping collapse, and a last-ball thriller that had absolutely no right to be that good.
So grab your popcorn (or your chai, no judgement), and let’s break this down like a proper cricket nerd would.
Setting the Scene: Pakistan Tours Zimbabwe, December 2024
Pakistan arrived in Zimbabwe fresh off a tough tour of Australia and with one eye firmly on the 2025 Champions Trophy. Zimbabwe, led by the ever-reliable Sikandar Raza, had just lost the ODI series to the same opponents but were desperate to put on a show at home.
The three-match Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team T20I series was played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo — a ground that generally favours batters, offers decent pace, and occasionally turns square. A beautiful place for some cricketing drama.
Spoiler: drama is exactly what we got.
1st T20I – December 1, 2024: Pakistan Win by 57 Runs
Pakistan: 165/4 | Zimbabwe: 108 all out (15.3 overs)
Let’s start at the beginning. In the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard for Game 1, Pakistan batted first and posted 165/4 in their 20 overs — a decent score, but not a frightening one on a good batting surface.
The headline was a late-innings partnership between Tayyab Tahir (39* off 25 balls) and Irfan Khan (27*), who added 65 runs in just 34 balls to take Pakistan from a sluggish middle phase to something respectable. Earlier, Saim Ayub — fresh off being added to the squad just before the series — got things moving with his aggressive left-handed strokeplay.
Now, Zimbabwe’s response? Things were actually looking decent for a while. Tadiwanashe Marumani and Sikandar Raza were on fire. The hosts were sitting at 75 for 2 in eight overs. The crowd was buzzing. A famous chase was on the cards.
Then the wheels came off.
Completely, spectacularly, and very quickly.
Sufiyan Muqeem and Haris Rauf combined to dismantle the Zimbabwe lower order. The hosts lost their last 8 wickets for just 31 runs — one of the worst collapses you’ll see in a T20. They were bowled out for 108 in 15.3 overs.
Player of the Match: Tayyab Tahir (PAK) — 39* off 25 balls
2nd T20I – December 3, 2024: Pakistan Win by 10 Wickets
Zimbabwe: 57 all out (12.4 overs) | Pakistan: 61/0 (5.3 overs)
Oh dear.
This is the one that hurt Zimbabwe fans the most, and honestly, if you watched it, you’d understand why. The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard for the 2nd T20I reads like something out of a nightmare — and not the Pakistan-is-scary kind of nightmare. More like a “how did this happen to us?” kind of nightmare.
Zimbabwe batted first and started decently — 37 for no loss after 4 overs. Brian Bennett looked good, Marumani was punching boundaries, and the promise was there.
Then Sufiyan Muqeem happened.
This young left-arm wrist-spinner — barely known outside Pakistan cricket circles before this tour — delivered figures of 5/3 in 2.4 overs. Five wickets. Three runs. Let that sink in for a moment. Zimbabwe lost 10 wickets for just 20 runs, eventually limping to 57 all out in 12.4 overs. It was the lowest match aggregate (118 runs combined) involving Pakistan and Zimbabwe in T20I cricket history.
Pakistan knocked off the target in 5.3 overs, with Saim Ayub (36 off 18)* and Omair Yousuf (22)* not even breaking a sweat. Pakistan won by 10 wickets — the most comprehensive margin possible in cricket.
Series won. 2-0. Match over before lunch.
Player of the Match: Sufiyan Muqeem (PAK) — 5/3 in 2.4 overs
Series Scorecard Summary Table
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Dec 1, 2024 | Pakistan | 57 Runs | Tayyab Tahir (PAK) |
| 2nd T20I | Dec 3, 2024 | Pakistan | 10 Wickets | Sufiyan Muqeem (PAK) |
| 3rd T20I | Dec 5, 2024 | Zimbabwe | 2 Wickets | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
3rd T20I – December 5, 2024: Zimbabwe Win by 2 Wickets (Series Consolation)
Pakistan: 132/7 | Zimbabwe: 133/8 (19.5 overs)
Now this is the good stuff.
With the series already won, Pakistan may have taken their foot off the pedal slightly. But the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard for Game 3 turned into a genuine thriller that no one fully expected.
Pakistan scored 132/7 — a modest total, with Abbas Afridi picking up 3/24 to restrict them. Zimbabwe, chasing 133, flew out of the blocks: Brian Bennett (43 off 35 balls) set the platform and they were 56 for 1 after the powerplay. Comfortable. In control. On course.
Then came the familiar middle-order wobble. From 73 for 1, they crumbled to 94 for 5 as Pakistan’s bowlers — and debutant Tinotenda Maposa, by the way, was just warming up for his heroics — fought back brilliantly.
With 21 runs needed off 12 balls and Sikandar Raza just dismissed, most neutral fans assumed it was done. But the script hadn’t been consulted. Maposa, playing his first international game, hit the winning runs on the very last ball to give Zimbabwe a 2-wicket win and salvage some pride.
The final Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard read: Zimbabwe 133/8 in 19.5 overs. Pakistan series win: 2-1.
Player of the Match: Brian Bennett (ZIM) — 43 off 35 balls Player of the Series: Sufiyan Muqeem (PAK) — 9 wickets across the series
Key Players Who Made the Headlines
Here’s a quick look at the standout performers from the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team T20I series:
| Player | Team | Role | Series Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sufiyan Muqeem | Pakistan | Left-arm wrist-spin | 9 wickets in series; 5/3 in 2nd T20I |
| Saim Ayub | Pakistan | Opening batter | Aggressive starts throughout |
| Tayyab Tahir | Pakistan | Middle-order bat | 39* off 25 in 1st T20I |
| Brian Bennett | Zimbabwe | Opening batter | 43 off 35 in match-winning 3rd T20I effort |
| Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe | Captain/All-rounder | Consistent fighter, vocal leader |
| Tinotenda Maposa | Zimbabwe | Debutant | Match-winning finish in 3rd T20I |
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team: Historical Stats & Timeline
To understand this series, you need a little context. The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team stats tell a story of sustained dominance from the Asian side.
The two teams have faced each other 21 times in T20Is, with Pakistan winning 18 and Zimbabwe winning just 3. Before the 2024 series, Zimbabwe’s most famous moment was their stunning 1-run win over Pakistan at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Perth — a result that sent shockwaves through the cricket world and nearly derailed Pakistan’s campaign.
In terms of Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team timeline, they’ve been playing cricket against each other since the 1992 World Cup, with Pakistan winning that encounter by 53 runs. Since then, in all formats combined, Pakistan has dominated the head-to-head.
But Zimbabwe, despite the scorelines, has never been an easy team to beat when they’re on home soil and in the right mindset. This series — two heavy defeats followed by a famous late win — perfectly summarises that dynamic.
Where to Watch Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team
If you’re wondering where to watch Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team matches in the future, here are your options:
- India: FanCode app (affordable match passes available)
- Pakistan: PTV Sports and ARY ZAP
- Zimbabwe: SuperSport (sub-Saharan Africa)
- Global: ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz for live scoring and commentary
For future series, always check the official ICC website for confirmed broadcast details.
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team matches in December 2024 also highlighted a genuine concern for Zimbabwe: their middle-order fragility. Captain Sikandar Raza himself acknowledged it, noting that his side kept “making the same mistakes” against quality spin bowling. That’s something they’ll need to fix urgently.
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard from December 2024 is one for the books — not just for Pakistan fans celebrating a convincing 2-1 series win, but for cricket lovers everywhere.
You had a solid opening win built on the back of late fireworks with the bat. You had a historic, almost embarrassing collapse in the second match. And then — because cricket simply refuses to be boring — you got a nail-biting, debutant-driven, last-ball thriller in the finale.
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team rivalry may not be boxing at the same weight class on paper, but it consistently delivers moments that remind you why we love this game. Zimbabwe’s young players, guided by the veteran Sikandar Raza, are learning fast. Pakistan, with emerging stars like Muqeem and Tahir, are building something exciting.
The next time these two face off, expect more fireworks. And bookmark that Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard page — you’ll want to be watching live.
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FAQs
Q1. Who won the Zimbabwe vs Pakistan T20I series in December 2024?
Pakistan won the series 2-1. They took an unassailable 2-0 lead with victories in the first two matches before Zimbabwe won the third T20I by 2 wickets.
Q2. What was the lowest score in the Zimbabwe vs Pakistan T20I series?
Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 57 in the 2nd T20I — the lowest match aggregate (118 runs) in T20I cricket history between these two sides.
Q3. Who was the Player of the Series in the Zimbabwe vs Pakistan T20I 2024?
Sufiyan Muqeem of Pakistan was named Player of the Series, taking 9 wickets across the three matches, including an extraordinary 5/3 in the 2nd T20I.
Q4. Who won the 3rd T20I between Zimbabwe and Pakistan?
Zimbabwe won the 3rd T20I by 2 wickets off the penultimate ball. Debutant Tinotenda Maposa hit the winning runs to seal a memorable consolation victory.
Q5. Where were the Zimbabwe vs Pakistan T20Is played?
All three matches were played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Q6. What is the overall head-to-head record between Zimbabwe and Pakistan in T20Is?
In 21 T20I meetings, Pakistan have won 18 and Zimbabwe have won 3.
Q7. Where can I find the full Zimbabwe vs Pakistan T20I match scorecard?
You can find all match scorecards on ESPNcricinfo.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this breakdown of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team match scorecard, you might also love our previous blog on the Zimbabwe vs Pakistan ODI Series 2024 – Full Recap & Analysis.
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