Captain Babar Azam hit a fluent half century and spurred Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in a Twenty20 international on Saturday.
Azam made 82 off 55 balls to reach his 15th half century in Twenty20s as Pakistan eased to 157-4 in 18.5 overs for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
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Captain Babar Azam hit a fluent half century and spurred Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in a Twenty20 international on Saturday.
Earlier, 20-year-old Wesley Madhevere hit nine fours and a six to score an unbeaten 70 but Pakistan's pace still restricted Zimbabwe at 156-6.
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Pakistani spinner Usman Qadir, center, celebrate with teammate Mohammad Rizwan, left, after taking the wicket of Zimbabwe's batsman Sean Williams, right, during their 1st Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Zimbabwe's batsman Sean Williams, right, is bowled out by Pakistani spinner Usman Qadir while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, left, watches during their 1st Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Mohammad Hafeez scored 36 off 32 balls and together with Azam shared an 80-run stand as fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani finished with 2-26.
Zimbabwe's batsman Ryan Burl is bowled out by Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf during their 1st Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Earlier, 20-year-old Wesley Madhevere hit nine fours and a six to score an unbeaten 70 but Pakistan's pace still restricted Zimbabwe at 156-6.
Elton Chigumbura, who will retire after the series ends on Tuesday, made a quickfire 21 off 13 balls, but Zimbabwe's top order struggled to accelerate against fast bowlers Haris Rauf (2-25), Wahab Riaz (2-37) and Mohammad Hasnain (1-25).
The second match will be played Sunday before Zimbabwe, which lost the ODI series 2-1, wraps up its limited-overs tour to Pakistan on Tuesday.
Pakistani wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, left, tries to run out Zimbabwe's batsman Elton Chigumbura, right, during their 1st Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
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Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf, second left, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Zimbabwe's batsman Brendan Taylor during their 1st Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Pakistani spinner Usman Qadir, center, celebrate with teammate Mohammad Rizwan, left, after taking the wicket of Zimbabwe's batsman Sean Williams, right, during their 1st Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Zimbabwe's batsman Sean Williams, right, is bowled out by Pakistani spinner Usman Qadir while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, left, watches during their 1st Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)