HARARE, Harare Province: Ahmed Shehzad struck an aggressive 70 to guide Pakistan to a strong total in the first Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Although Pakistan lost a couple of early wickets as Zimbabwe made a disciplined start in the field, Shehzad increasingly took control of the innings to guide the tourists to 161 for five on a dry pitch. Seamer Tendai Chatara did the damage up front, dismissing Nasir Jamshed and captain Mohammad Hafeez cheaply as Pakistan slumped to 21 for two.
However Zimbabwe let their visitors off the hook with a number of wides, allowing Shehzad to find his feet without feeling undue pressure.
After Umar Amin fell to spinner Prosper Utseya, who was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, Shehzad shared in a 55-run stand with debutant Sohaib Maqsood and added impetus to the innings by taking 17 runs from Elton Chigumbura's first over.
Shehzad struck six fours and a six in his 50-ball innings before he was eventually caught on the boundary off the bowling of Shingirai Masakadza. Shahid Afridi ensured that Pakistan finished strongly, hitting 23 not out from 16 deliveries.
