: Usman Tariq bags T20I hat-trick, becomes fourth Pakistan bowler to do so

Published - 24 Nov 2025, 09:10 IST | Updated - 24 Nov 2025, 09:31 IST

In just his second international appearance for Pakistan, Usman Tariq claimed a hat-trick to send his team into the final of the ongoing tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Courtesy of his spell, the hosts ended up defeating Zimbabwe by 69 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, November 23 in the Match No. 5.

With this, Tariq also became only the fourth bowler from Pakistan to claim a hat-trick in the shortest format of the game, and only the second to have done it on the home soil. In fact, Tariq's second over was a triple-wicket maiden in which he secured the wickets of Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa and Wellington Masakadza.

The 27-year-old ended with figures of 4/18 in his allotted four-over quota. He bowled a total of 13 dot deliveries and secured the Player of the Match award for his exceptional performance. The visiting Zimbabwean side was eventually bowled out for 126 in 19 overs while chasing the 196-run target which set by the Men in Green.

Earlier in the contest, Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan put on a stellar display to score 74 off 52 and 63 off 41, respectively. The finishing touches of the innings were applied by Fakhar Zaman who played a blazing unbeaten 27-run cameo off the 10 deliveries he faced.

Ryan Burl ended up as the lone warrior with the bat for his side, scoring 67 off 49. Only Burl and skipper Sikandar Raza (23 off 18) were able to post a double-digit score. Every Pakistani bowler got a minimum of one wicket. The Green Shirts have already won their first three matches of the tri-series. Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on November 27 before and are currently awaiting their opposition for the finale.