Young batting prospect Ollie Peake held his nerve under pressure to steer Melbourne Renegades to a dramatic four-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers at Perth Stadium on Wednesday night. Chasing 128 after bowling the hosts out for 127 in 19.2 overs, the Renegades stumbled late before Peake delivered on the final ball. With four runs needed, he shuffled across and lifted a full delivery from Aaron Hardie over fine leg for six, silencing a vocal home crowd. The chase had looked in trouble earlier. After Josh Brown provided a brisk start, the Renegades slipped from 1-51 after six overs to a prolonged slowdown. Boundaries dried up, and pressure mounted as wickets fell. In the 17th over, Peake appeared to be dismissed for 15 when Ashton Turner completed a tumbling catch. Replays, however, showed the ball brushed the turf, and the decision was overturned. Jeered by the crowd after the reprieve, Peake regrouped. He later shared a crucial 42-run stand for the sixth wicket with skipper Will Sutherland, keeping the chase alive. Speaking after the match, Peake said the moment felt special and said he was glad a slice of luck went his way on a memorable night. Earlier, Gurinder Sandhu led the Renegades’ bowling with four wickets for 28 runs, taking his season tally to 14 and moving to the top of the Golden Arm standings. The Scorchers’ innings faltered late, losing five wickets for 11 runs in the final stretch. Hardie top-scored for Perth with 44, but support was limited. Finn Allen and Cooper Connolly fell early, while Mitch Marsh edged behind after a steady start. The result capped a tense contest and sent the Renegades away with a narrow victory, as noted by PakistaniBano News.

The Desert Vipers survived a tense finish to defeat the Gulf Giants in the first-ever Super Over of the DP World ILT20 at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday. Chasing a target of 180, the Vipers matched the Giants’ total of 179 in their 20 overs, before sealing victory in the one-over eliminator. It was the Vipers’ third straight win of the season and extended their perfect record against the Giants to six wins in six matches.   In the chase, Sam Curran (44 off 36) and Dan Lawrence (56 off 31) led the recovery after an early collapse. The Vipers slipped to 14 for 2, with Fakhar Zaman and Andries Gous dismissed cheaply by Azmatullah Omarzai and Mark Adair. Impact Player Max Holden added 15 before falling to Haider Razzaq, leaving the Vipers 65 for 3 at the halfway stage and still needing 115 runs.   Curran and Lawrence then changed the momentum with a crucial 60-run stand. Curran struck one four and three sixes in his 44 before Nuwan Thushara removed him. Lawrence continued to attack, reaching his half-century in just 28 balls and keeping his side in the contest. Omarzai, however, swung the game again in the 18th over, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer (16 off 8) and Lawrence in quick succession. Late cameos from Hasan Nawaz (11 off 4) and others kept the Vipers in touch as wickets fell at the other end.   With 13 needed off the final over, Khuzaima Tanveer lofted Omarzai for a vital six, but a sharp catch by Rahmanullah Gurbaz ended his stay. Vriitya Aravind then held his nerve, finding the gaps to level the scores and force the Super Over. The pressure finish under lights added extra drama to what was already one of the most gripping games of this ILT20 season, widely followed by fans across the region, including Pakistani cricket followers tracking the league through platforms like PakistaniBano News.   Earlier, the Gulf Giants had posted 179 for 5 after being asked to bat. Pathum Nissanka (56 off 29) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41 off 31) gave the Giants a flying start, taking 14 runs off Naseem Shah in the opening over. The pair raced to a 50-run stand inside five overs and powered the side to 58 in the powerplay. Nissanka continued his strong form, bringing up his third consecutive half-century off 27 balls before Noor Ahmad dismissed him immediately after he hit his fourth six, breaking a 73-run opening partnership.   Gurbaz then took charge, with captain James Vince contributing a measured 25 off 22 deliveries. Their 54-run stand was broken when Tanveer removed Vince and then struck again two balls later to dismiss Gurbaz, leaving the Giants 129 for 3 at the end of the 14th over. The Vipers’ bowlers slowed the scoring in the final phase. Noor picked up his second wicket by dismissing Omarzai (20 off 13), while David Payne removed Moeen Ali (11 off 11). The Giants managed only 38 runs in the last five overs and closed on 179 for 5, a total that looked strong but not out of reach.   Omarzai still produced a standout spell with the ball, taking 4 for 32 and causing repeated problems in the Vipers’ chase. Thushara supported him with figures of 2 for 33, while Razzaq and Adair chipped in with important breakthroughs. The lower order of the Vipers, however, refused to fold, turning a difficult position into a tied finish and setting up the Super Over.   In the one-over shootout, the Vipers batted first. Lawrence struck a boundary and scored 10 runs, with Hetmyer adding three more as the Vipers reached 13 for 1 off Thushara. Chasing 14, the Giants sent out Moeen Ali and Tom Moores, but Naseem Shah delivered a tight over, conceding just nine runs. The Giants finished on 9 without loss, handing the Vipers victory by four runs in the Super Over.   Speaking after the match, stand-in Vipers captain Sam Curran said the team was happy with their perfect start. “It has been the trend recently, but I am not complaining — three wins from three,” he remarked. Praising Tanveer’s role under pressure, Curran added that the all-rounder had worked hard on his batting and showed his progress with a crucial six and disciplined bowling.   Gulf Giants’ stand-in skipper Moeen Ali admitted that his side let the game slip. He said they made mistakes at key moments and allowed the Vipers back into the contest. Moeen noted that when the Giants needed tight deliveries, they instead offered scoring opportunities and stressed that in T20 cricket, the game is never over and this was a match they could easily have closed out.   Brief Scores   Desert Vipers beat Gulf Giants in the Super Over   Gulf Giants: 179/5 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 56, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 41, Khuzaima Tanveer 2 for 23, Noor Ahmad 2 for 47)   Desert Vipers: 179/9 in 20 overs (Dan Lawrence 56, Sam Curran 44, Azmatullah Omarzai 4 for 32, Nuwan Thushara 2 for 33)   Super Over   Desert Vipers: 13/1 in 1 over (Dan Lawrence 10, Shimron Hetmyer 3*, Nuwan Thushara 1 for 13)   Gulf Giants: 9/0 in 1 over (Moeen Ali 5*, Tom Moores 1*, Naseem Shah 0 for 9)   Player of the match: Dan Lawrence

Pakistan survived an early collapse and a spirited bowling performance from Zimbabwe to secure a five-wicket victory in the second match of the T20 tri-series in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. Chasing 148 on a surface offering grip and inconsistent bounce, the hosts recovered from 31 for 3 through a calm, match-shaping partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan, before Mohammad Nawaz finished the chase with a composed late cameo. Zimbabwe, after flying to 91 for 1, crashed dramatically to 147 for 8, losing seven wickets for just 56 runs. Their seamers reignited the contest by dismantling Pakistan’s top order, but crucial missed chances and Pakistan’s middle-order resilience ultimately decided the game.   Zimbabwe Collapse After Electric Start Zimbabwe appeared in complete control early, racing to 60 inside seven overs, with Innocent Kaia and Brian Bennett smashing 11 fours and a six between them. Pakistan’s spinners were taken for 26 runs in their first two overs, and the visitors looked ready to post a total in excess of 180. But Mohammad Nawaz changed the tone of the innings immediately upon introduction. Bowling quicker and flatter than Pakistan’s leg-spinners, he forced a miscue from Tadiwanashe Marumani at deep square leg. Although the dismissal came off a full toss, it sparked the collapse Pakistan desperately needed. Nawaz then removed Ryan Burl with deceptive pace and used subtle variations to restrict boundaries. His four-over spell of 2 for 22 not only broke Zimbabwe’s rhythm but also produced the lowest economy rate among all bowlers who delivered a full quota. Between the 11th and 19th overs, Pakistan’s spinners — Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub — completely suffocated Zimbabwe. In this eight-over phase, Zimbabwe managed only 30 runs, lost six wickets, and even suffered two pressure-induced run-outs. Sikandar Raza provided late resistance, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 24 to avoid a total collapse. But a finish of 147 for 8 was well below what Zimbabwe looked set for at one stage.   Zimbabwe’s Pacers Shake Pakistan Early Defending 148, Zimbabwe began brilliantly with the ball. Brad Evans produced a magnificent over, removing both Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam with sharp movement. Farhan fell lbw while Babar nicked off to slip — a dismissal rarely seen in Rawalpindi T20s. Tinotenda Maposa then trapped captain Salman Agha to leave Pakistan at 31 for 3, and Graeme Cremer, returning to T20Is after seven years, dismissed Saim Ayub to push Pakistan deeper into trouble. At 54 for 4, the run rate was touching nine per over, and Zimbabwe sensed a major upset.   Fakhar and Usman Steady Nerves Under pressure and with five specialist bowlers still to face, Pakistan finally found stability through Fakhar Zaman. Playing his comeback T20I innings, Fakhar countered spin with smart footwork and punished anything remotely short or wide, scoring 44 off 32. Usman Khan played the perfect foil. Calm at the crease and decisive against spin, he rotated the strike superbly and ensured Pakistan did not allow Zimbabwe to build dot-ball pressure. Their 61-run stand resurrected the chase, stabilizing the innings exactly when Pakistan needed a long partnership. When Fakhar fell trying to clear midwicket, Pakistan still required quick runs — but they had enough resources left.   Nawaz Completes the Job After a Lucky Escape Mohammad Nawaz, already Pakistan’s standout bowler, walked in with the required rate climbing again. He was dropped at midwicket by Bennett on nine — a chance that could have changed the complexion of the final moments. At that stage, Pakistan needed 15 off 10 balls. Nawaz capitalized on the reprieve, cracking a six and two fours to swing the game back instantly. His 20 off 12 balls ensured Pakistan avoided panic and crossed the finish line with four balls to spare. He then sealed victory with a boundary, capping off a superb all-round performance.   Key Turning Points Nawaz’s introduction: Broke Zimbabwe’s momentum after their explosive start.   The 11–19 over choke: Zimbabwe scored only 30 in this phase, losing six wickets.   Zimbabwe’s early triple strike: Reduced Pakistan to 31 for 3.   Fakhar–Usman stand: Steered Pakistan from danger to control.   Bennett’s dropped catch: A decisive turning moment with 15 needed off 10.     Stat Highlights Zimbabwe: 91/1 to 147/8 — collapse of seven wickets for 56 runs.   Nawaz: Best economy rate (5.50) among full-quota bowlers.   Evans: 2 for 26 — highest impact bowler for Zimbabwe.   Pakistan: Middle order (5, 6, 7) scored 101 of the 151 runs.     Match Summary Zimbabwe 147/8 (Bennett 49, Raza 34*, Nawaz 2-22) Pakistan 151/5 (Fakhar 44, Usman 37*, Nawaz 20*) Result: Pakistan won by five wickets Player of the Match: Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)  

Pakistan overcame a dramatic top-order collapse and a tricky batting surface to defeat Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening match of the T20 tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The hosts were rescued by a composed middle-order performance led by Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, and Player of the Match Mohammad Nawaz, after Zimbabwe’s pace attack reduced Pakistan to 31 for 3 inside four overs. Zimbabwe, who opted to bat first after losing veteran Craig Ervine to injury during warm-up, posted a competitive but below-par 147 for 8, despite a brisk start powered by Brian Bennett and Innocent Kaia. Pakistan’s spinners, particularly Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed, applied the brakes in the middle overs and prevented Zimbabwe from capitalising on their powerplay momentum. The victory gave Pakistan a crucial early advantage in a tournament that also features New Zealand, with the top two sides contesting the final on November 23.   Zimbabwe Start Brightly, But Middle Overs Hurt Momentum Zimbabwe began with intent, racing to 59 for 0 in six overs, their fastest T20I powerplay of the year. Bennett, typically aggressive against spin, targeted the shorter boundary and forced Pakistan to shuffle their field placements early. Kaia provided steady support, rotating strike effectively and punishing width. However, the innings unravelled immediately after the power play. Abrar Ahmed struck with his first over, removing Kaia with a sharp googly, before Nawaz dismissed Bennett for 49 after a mistimed slog to deep mid-wicket. Both dismissals came at crucial moments when Zimbabwe appeared set for a total above 165. From 59 without loss, Zimbabwe slipped to 89 for 4, losing momentum on a surface offering grip and occasional low bounce. Captain Sikandar Raza played a fighting hand worth 34 from 25 deliveries, but received minimal support from the rest of the lineup. Richard Ngarava’s late cameo briefly threatened to push the total closer to 160, but Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf executed tight death overs to restrict scoring. Zimbabwe managed only 49 runs in the final eight overs, a phase that ultimately defined their innings.   Pakistan’s Top Order Collapses Under Early Pressure Chasing 148, Pakistan made a disastrous start. Brad Evans trapped Sahibzada Farhan lbw with a full ball that straightened sharply, drawing the crowd into stunned silence. Two balls later, Evans induced a thick edge from Babar Azam, who was taken safely at slip — a rare dismissal for the former captain in home conditions. When debutant Tinotenda Maposa dismissed Agha Salman with a sharp inswinger, Pakistan were reeling at 31 for 3, and Zimbabwe’s confidence surged. The visitors’ aggressive use of seam and swing troubled the batters, with Maposa in particular finding a late dip that forced defensive errors. Saim Ayub played a brief counterattacking cameo but fell attempting to clear mid-off, leaving Pakistan at 54 for 4 and in danger of a major upset.   Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan Reverse Momentum With Pakistan struggling, Fakhar Zaman absorbed pressure with veteran calm, anchoring the innings while punishing loose deliveries. His 44 off 32 balls featured clean hits over the leg side and deft placement through gaps — a much-needed stabilising knock on a slowing pitch. Usman Khan, returning to the national side after domestic success, complemented Fakhar with controlled aggression. His footwork against spin stood out, and his ability to rotate strike prevented Zimbabwe from building dot-ball pressure. The pair added 61 crucial runs, turning the match back in Pakistan’s favour. During their partnership, Raza tried multiple bowling changes, including double-spin from both ends, but Pakistan’s calculated approach kept them ahead of the asking rate. Fakhar’s dismissal, holing out while attempting a slog sweep, gave Zimbabwe a brief opening. Yet Usman held firm, finishing unbeaten on 37 and guiding the lower order with composure.   Nawaz Finishes the Job in Style With 17 needed off the final 12 balls, Pakistan seemed at risk of dragging the match into the final over. But Mohammad Nawaz, already the star with the ball, delivered a composed finishing act. Striking two boundaries off Evans in the penultimate over, Nawaz swung momentum decisively. Pakistan completed the chase with five balls remaining, avoiding late drama and securing a confidence-boosting victory ahead of their clash with New Zealand.   Captain Reactions Salman Agha (Pakistan captain) “We didn’t start well with bat or ball, and that’s an area we must improve. The spinners controlled the game brilliantly and our middle order showed maturity. We’ll rest, recover and prepare harder for the next game.” Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe captain) “A few extra runs would have made this interesting. We probably left 15–20 runs on the field. Credit to Pakistan — their bowlers adapted quickly and their middle order played sensibly.” Mohammad Nawaz (Player of the Match) “Rawalpindi usually offers more pace, but today it was slower. I tried to keep things simple. The wicket also suited my bowling. Always happy to contribute in both departments.”   Key Takeaways Pakistan’s top order remains a concern, collapsing again to disciplined seam bowling.   Zimbabwe’s opening stand was promising, but poor middle overs and a lack of finishing cost them.   Pakistan’s spinners turned the match decisively, picking 5 wickets in the 12 overs between them.   Usman Khan’s calm knock strengthens his case for a permanent middle-order role.   Nawaz’s all-round performance (2 wickets + match-winning cameo) proved the difference.     Match Summary Zimbabwe: 147/8 (Bennett 49, Raza 34; Nawaz 2-21, Abrar 2-28) Pakistan: 148/5 in 19.1 overs (Fakhar 44, Usman 37*; Evans 2-27, Maposa 1-18) Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets Player of the Match: Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)