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New Delhi: Pakistan made a winning start by defeating Zimbabwe by 5 wickets in the first match of the triangular series. Batting first Zimbabwe scored 147/8 in 20 overs and Pakistan achieved the target in 19.2 overs. Useful innings from Fakhar Zaman Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz secured the victory. Zimbabwe had a good start but the middle order faltered. Zimbabwe started quickly and scored 59 runs in the powerplay. Brian Bennett scored 49 runs off 36 balls while Tadiwanashe Marumani added 30 runs off 22 balls to put the team in a strong position. Captain Sikandar Raza also played a crucial innings of 34 runs off 24 balls. However wickets continued to fall in the middle overs preventing the team from posting a big total. Controlled bowling by Pakistani bowlers Pakistans bowlers made a strong comeback in the middle and final overs of the innings. Mohammad Nawaz was the most successful bowler taking 2 wickets for 22 runs. Saim Ayub Abrar Ahmed Salman Mirza and Shaheen Afridi took 1 wicket each. Pakistans tight bowling in the death overs restricted Zimbabwe to 147. Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan anchored the innings Chasing the target Pakistan got off to a poor start. The team had lost three key batsmen—Farhan Babar and Salman Agha—by just 30 runs. Fakhar Zaman played a crucial innings of 44 runs off 32 balls. He along with Saim Ayub steadied the team. After Fakhars dismissal Usman Khan took charge and put the team on the path to victory with an unbeaten 37 off 28 balls. Nawazs explosive finish Pakistans winning start In the end Mohammad Nawaz made the match easy by scoring an unbeaten 21 off 12 balls. Pakistan scored 151/5 in 19.2 overs to win the match by 5 wickets. This victory proved to be a confidence booster for Pakistan in the series. Story Highlights Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 5 wickets. Fakhar Zaman (44) and Usman Khan (37*) anchored the innings. Zimbabwe could only manage 147/8 with Nawaz taking 2 wickets. Nawazs 21* helped Pakistan achieve the target in 19.2 overs.