Pakistan have beaten Zimbabwe by 31 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series on Sunday (December 1). Tayyab Tahir's quick-fire 39* and Irfan Khan's little cameo of 27* helped Pakistan get to 165 on the board. In reply, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem shared three wickets each to hand Pakistan a superb 31-run victory.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan lost Omair Yousuf earlier on. Saim Ayub too played a little cameo of 24 from 18 deliveries before falling to Masakadza. Wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan played the perfect anchoring knock, as he made 39 from 30 balls.

At the backend of the innings, it was Tayyab Tahir and Irfan Khan's cameos of 39* and 27* which uplifted Pakistan to a competitive 165 on the board.

In reply, Abrar Ahmed had a breathtaking start as he removed Brian Bennett and Dion Myers cheaply. Wicketkeeper batter T Marumani and captain Sikandar Raza stitched a quick-fire partnership of 59 runs which was steering Zimbabwe comfortably. But Jahanbad Khan removed Raza as Pakistan came back into the game.

Sufiyan Muqeem then teared apart Zimbabwean middle order as he picked up three wickets to help his side have a superb 57-run victory to go 1-0 ahead in the series.