Summary Zimbabwe needed 162 to win the first of two T20s in Harare on Friday.
HARARE (AP) - Opener Ahmed Shehzad made 70 to send Pakistan to 161-5 in the tour-opening Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Shehzad kept Pakistan going after the team slumped to 51-3 with the loss of Umar Amin in the ninth over, and eventually struck six fours and a six in a 50-ball knock to anchor the tourists total.
Pakistan had hit early trouble when Nasir Jamshed was out for 2 in the second over and captain Mohammed Hafeez dismissed for 3 in the fourth over to leave it 21-2.
Shehzad took control with his second T20 half-century and had put Pakistan back on course when he was out in the 18th over to Shingirai Masakadza at 135-5.
Sohaib Maqsood hit 26 on debut and Shahid Afridi was 23 not out with a four and a six, adding 26 off 16 balls with Anwar Ali (10 not out) at the end.
Seamer Tendai Chatara took 2-30 off four overs for Zimbabwe s best bowling figures and offspinner Prosper Utseya bowled four well-controlled overs for his 1-15. Masakadza (1-37) and Elton Chigumbura (1-30) had a single wicket each.
Zimbabwe needs 162 to win the first of two T20s in Harare. The countries will also play three one-dayers and two tests over the next three weeks.
