The Fatima Sana-led Pakistan are hosting Zimbabwe, led by skipper Nomvelo Sibanda, for a historic white-ball bilateral series, which includes a three-match ODI series, followed by a three-match T20I series from 4th May to 15th May 2026, as they prepare for the upcoming 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June.
The home side handed an international debut to the impressive left-arm spinner Momina Riasat, on the back of outstanding performances in Pakistan’s recently concluded domestic tournament.
Quartet of half-centuries from Shamas, Feroza, Amin and Alvi
The Zimbabwean skipper Nomvelo Sibanda won the toss and opted to bowl first at the National Stadium, Karachi. The Pakistan openers, Gull Feroza and Sadaf Shamas, cashed in on the opportunity, taking the Zimbabwean attack to the cleaners en route to their marathon 162-run opening stand. Kudzai Chigora broke the stand by sending Gull Feroza (50 off 60 balls) back to the pavilion in the 29th over of the innings, providing the much-needed 1st breakthrough for Zimbabwe.
The experienced veteran Sidra Amin joined Sadaf Shamas at the crease, and the duo took them closer to the 200-run mark with a brisk 33-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Experienced veteran Precious Marange broke the heart of the home fans by dismissing opening batter Sadaf Shamas (98 off 130 balls) just two runs short of her well-deserved century in the 34th over of the innings, providing the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
The visitors bounced back by chipping away with wickets at regular intervals, reducing Pakistan to 219/4 in the 40th over of the innings. However, the wicket-keeper batter Najiha Alvi provided ideal support to Sidra Amin as the pair clawed their way back into the game, pushing the winds out of Zimbabwe’s sails with a counter-attacking 96-run stand for the 5th wicket, which also pushed Pakistan’s total past the 300-run mark.
Skipper Nomvelo Sibanda prevented further damage by dismissing Sidra Amin (67 off 59 balls) in the 49th over of the innings, providing the 5th breakthrough for her side. However, wicket-keeper batter Najiha Alvi (56* off 30 balls) and skipper Fatima Sana’s cameo (11* off 3 balls) ensured Pakistan ended up with a massive total of 330/5 in their quota of 50 overs. The Zimbabwean bowlers conceded a hefty amount of runs (43) in extras, which significantly boosted Pakistan’s total.
Precious Marange (10-0-39-3) and Beloved Biza (10-1-45-0) were impressive with the ball for Zimbabwe, while skipper Nomvelo Sibanda (8-0-56-1) and Kudzai Chigora (6-0-52-1) picked up a wicket each.
Beloved Biza fights a lone battle for Zimbabwe
Chasing a daunting total of 331, most of the Zimbabwean batters succumbed to the scoreboard pressure, lacking the clarity to approach the run chase. Beloved Biza, who had a good day with the ball, showed fearless intent with bat in hand, registering a fighting half-century 53 (53 balls) coming in at number 4 under immense pressure in the run chase, smashing 8 boundaries in her knock.
Biza was eventually dismissed by Syeda Aroob Shah in the 28th over of the run chase, providing the crucial 7th breakthrough for Pakistan, landing a hammer blow on the hopes of the visitors. Zimbabwe were eventually bundled out for 162, in the 37th over of the run chase, falling 168 runs short of the target. Kelis Ndhlovu (31 off 47 balls), skipper Nomvelo Sibanda (17 off 32 balls), and Melinda Kachingwe (10 off 19 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits with the bat for the Zimbabweans.
Skipper Fatima Sana (5-1-28-2), Tasmia Rubab (7.4-0-21-2), and Syeda Aroob Shah (9-1-38-2) picked up a couple of wickets each, while Nashra Sandhu (7-1-33-1) and debutant Momina Riasat (8-0-38-1) were impressive in their respective spells with the ball for their side.
Sadaf Shamas (98 off 130 balls) was awarded the Player of the Match as she played a crucial role in setting up a solid platform at the top of the order, with an impressive knock to kickstart the series, as Pakistan go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.