30 April,2010 07:39 AM IST | | AFP
Zimbabwe humbled defending World Twenty20 champions Pakistan with a 12-run win in their final warm-up at St Lucia before the 2010 tournament gets underway later today.
Zimbabwe, who defeated Australia by one-run earlier in the week, made 143-7 from their 20 overs with big-hitting Elton Chigumbura smashing 49 not out from 35 balls to rescue his team from a precarious 64 for 5 in the 12th over.
Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi shone with the ball taking 4-24.
Kamran Akmal hit 37 from 27 balls as Pakistan started their reply, but they were in deep trouble at 67 for 5 after 10 overs.
Fawad Alam and Misbah-ul-Haq added 51 in 7.4 overs for the sixth wicket, before spinner Prosper Utseya turned the game around for the Africans, getting rid of both men on his way to figures of 4 for 15 in four overs.
Pakistan finished on 131 with Chigumbura also starring with the ball, claiming 3 for 16 in three overs.
Pakistan begin their campaign on Saturday against Bangladesh in St Lucia while Zimbabwe start against Sri Lanka in Guyana on Monday.
In Thursday's other warm-ups, Australia recovered from their defeat to Zimbabwe by crushing the Windward Islands by 101 runs, also at St Lucia.
David Warner hit 51, his second successive half-century, and David Hussey made 49 as Australia piled up 189-8 off their 20 overs before the Windwards were dismissed for just 88.
Australia play their first group match against Pakistan in St Lucia on Sunday.
At Barbados, England defeated South Africa by five wickets.
South Africa were limited to 125-5 off their 20 overs before Eoin Morgan top-scored with 63 from 62 balls to lead England to victory after his side had been reeling a 9-3.
England face West Indies in Guayna on Monday while South Africa start against India in St Lucia on Sunday.
