Zimbabwe batter run out during T20I series loss to Pakistan

Pakistan picked up a T20I series-win against Zimbabwe, despite losing the final match of the series in Bulawayo today (December 5). Here's the updated team rankings following the series.

The tourists only managed 137-7 off their 20 overs batting first, losing their top three during the powerplay. In a thriller, Zimbabwe chased the target with just a ball to spare, with Brian Bennett named Player of the Match for his 35-ball 46. Richard Ngarava hit the winning runs off his first ball in the middle after Zimbabwe almost threw away a routine chase with a middle-order collapse following a fast-start.

Despite the result, Pakistan still take home the series win, having won the two previous matches. Abbas Afridi was named Player of the Series for his five wickets coming at 7.60 apiece.

The series hasn't made much of an impression on the T20I rankings, with Pakistan still sitting in seventh and Zimbabwe still outside of the top 10. Neither Pakistan nor Zimbabwe have automatically qualified for the next men's T20 World Cup, as neither finished in the top eight sides of the tournament in 2024; Zimbabwe didn't even qualify for the 20-team event. The three sides outside of that top eight who have the highest place in the rankings before the 2026 tournament will also automatically qualify. The rest of the sides will go through Qualifier tournaments.

Pakistan currently occupy one of the three automatic qualification spots, while Zimbabwe do not.

ICC Men's T20I team rankings: Updated standings after Pakistan beat Zimbabwe

Position Team Matches Points Rating
1 India 70 18,747 268
2 Australia 48 12,417 259
3 England 45 11,497 255
4 West Indies 56 14,060 251
5 New Zealand 51 12,578 247
6 South Africa 44 10,770 245
7 Pakistan 51 12,217 240
8 Sri Lanka 45 10,467 233
9 Bangladesh 53 11,898 224
10 Afghanistan 39 8,682 223
11 Ireland 49 9,629 197
12 Zimbabwe 53 10,283 194

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