Pakistan vs Zimbabwe: Usman Qadir powers hosts to eight-wicket win to complete T20 series whitewash

Rawalpindi: Leg spinner Usman Qadir grabbed four wickets to guide Pakistan to a 3-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe with an eight-wicket victory in the third Twenty20 in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Qadir — son of the late star spinner Abdul Qadir — finished with 4-13 from four mesmerising overs to restrict Zimbabwe to a paltry 129-9 in 20 overs. That proved a walk in the park for the home team, which cruised to victory in 15.2 overs losing just two wickets. Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman (21) and Haider Ali (27) but debutant Abdullah Shafique top-scored with 41 and saw Pakistan home with Khushdil Shah (36 not out). [caption id=“attachment_9000501” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  Pakistani spinner Usman Qadir, right, delivers a ball while Zimbabwe’s batsman Wesley Madhevere during their 3rd Twenty20 cricket match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, 10 November, 2020. AP[/caption] Khushdil hit a six off Faraz Akram to bring up victory. This was Pakistan’s 14th win in as many T20 internationals against Zimbabwe, and are now fourth in the international T20 rankings. Zimbabwe allrounder Elton Chigumbura was accorded a warm farewell by his teammates, but he scored just two runs in his last international match. An emotional Qadir acknowledged his father’s contribution in his career. “It was quite emotional to remember my father,” he said of Abdul Qadir, who died in September last year. “He played a key role in my career and I was remembering him with every wicket I got because they are all for him.” Abdul Qadir took 236 Test and 132 one-day international wickets in a glorious career between 1977-93. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was all praise for Usman Qadir. “We gave chances to a number of players in both the series,” said Azam, whose team won the preceding three-match one-day series 2-1. “It’s good to see him taking wickets and he will bowl better in future. Every win gives confidence so that’s an important win for us.” Zimbabwe skipper Chamu Chibhabha said the series defeat was disappointing. “It’s not ideal to lose 3-0 and we are disappointed,” said Chibhabha. “Still, there are a few positives with some young players coming to the fore and with more exposure our team will get better.” Earlier, the visitors, who won the toss and batted, were derailed by Qadir, who recorded the third-best figures by a Pakistani bowler against Zimbabwe in T20s. Qadir started the slide with the wicket of Chibhabha (31), before dismissing Wesley Madhevere (nine), Milton Shumba (11) and Elton Chigumbura (two) to finish behind Mohammad Hafeez (4-11 at Harare in 2011) and Imad Wasim (4-13 at Harare in 2015). The home team won the first match by six wickets and the second by eight. Chibhabha hit three boundaries and a six in his 28-ball knock, the highest of the innings. Number eight Donald Tiripano scored a 22-ball 28 to help Zimbabwe cross the 100-run mark. Pakistani left-arm spinner Imad Wasim finished with 2-27.