Rauf breaks Pakistan record in 57-run win over Zimbabwe

Haris Rauf became Pakistan's all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is as he starred in a 57-run win over Zimbabwe.

Pakistan tallied up 165-4 from their 20 innings in Bulawayo on Sunday, with Usman Khan and Tayyab Tahir top-scoring with 39 each, the latter going unbeaten in the opening match of a three-game series.

Rauf and Pakistan's bowlers then took centre-stage, with Abrar Ahmed (3-28) bowling Brian Bennett and Dion Myers in the third over, before Tadiwanashe Marumani (33) was run out in the ninth.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza offered some resistance with a stubborn 39, but Rauf sent Ryan Burl packing and Clive Madande was taken out by Sufiyan Muqeem, who took 3-20.

Wellington Masakadz scored just five before Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu were all dismissed for ducks as Pakistan wrapped up a comfortable victory.

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 57 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.#ZIMvPAK #VisitZimbabwe https://t.co/eYaNe7a8zu pic.twitter.com/4tFtdinkeP
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) December 1, 2024

Data Debrief: Rauf the top of the lot

Rauf started Sunday's match level with Shadab Khan on 107 T20I wickets for Pakistan, and his figures of 2-17 ensured he now has the all-time record all to himself on 109.

Pakistan have won only one of their last eight multigame bilateral T20I series (D2 L5) – a 2-1 victory against Ireland (May 2024). They have lost each of their two series since then, the last time they recorded a longer losing run was a span of three from February to November in 2019, so they made a good start in their bid to snap that record.