RAWALPINDI – Sikandar Raza, captian of Zimbabwe cricket team who is also Pakistan-born shared a heartfelt note on his return to home country after wrapping up Tri Nation Series.
He pulled out his phone and typed from the heart. “Thank you Pakistan and @TheRealPCB for hosting us,” he posted on X. “We all thank you for the hospitality and the love you shared with us. We shall be back again in sha Allah. Khuda Hafiz.”
The words spread quickly. Thousands liked, shared, replied with folded hands and Pakistani flags. For Raza, the tri-series was never just cricket.
Pakistan lifted the trophy on Saturday night under floodlights at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. They chased down Sri Lanka’s modest 114 with six wickets and eight balls to spare. Yet the loudest cheers were not only for the win; they were for the bridges rebuilt.
Sri Lanka had started brightly. Kamil Mishara played the innings of his life, striking 59 from 47 balls with effortless timing. But once Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed found their rhythm, the innings folded fast. From 84 for 1, Sri Lanka slipped to 114 all out.
Pakistan lost early wickets too. Sahibzada Farhan fell to a beauty from Eshan Malinga. Saim Ayub and Salman Agha threw starts away. But Babar Azam stayed calm, nudging and driving his way to an unbeaten 37. When he hit the winning runs, the stadium erupted.
Mohammad Nawaz, with four wickets across the tournament and vital runs lower down, walked away with both Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Also read: Pakistan Clinches T20 Tri-Series Title with Victory Over Sri Lanka
