Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Saturday launched a scintillating attack on the Zimbabwean bowlers to achieve a comfortable win for the hosts in the first Twenty20 international of the series. Azam’s 55-ball 82 anchored Pakistan’s chase of a modest 157-run target in 18.5 overs at the Rawalpindi Stadium.

Only a couple months ago, Babar Azam has lost his top spot in the ICC T20 chart to England’s Dawid Malan. However, the 26-year-old took no time to prove his worth and acquire 36 runs from boundaries alone and a six coming later. This win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, their 12th straight win over Zimbabwe in all Twenty20 international cricket. Babar and Mohammad Hafeez (36) stitched a 80-run stand for the third wicket.

Earlier in the day, after electing to bat first Zimbabwe got on to a wobbly start, losing their openers in 25 balls. However, it was Wesley Madhevere, who struck his maiden half-century to get Zimbabwe to a respectable 156-6.

Azam was finally caught in the 17th over, as was Hafeez in the 19th, but the target was never beyond Pakistan. Paceman Blessing Muzarabani finished with 2-26.

Azam said his victorious side still had room for improvement.

“Whatever is my game I try to execute that and enjoy my batting,” said Azam, whose 50 was his 15th in T20Is. “We executed the plan in bowling but still need work on our fielding.”

Zimbabwe skipper Chamu Chibhabha admitted his team was short on runs.

“We were 20 runs short,” said Chibhabha, who was dismissed for a second-ball duck. “Madhevere batted very well but we lost our way in the middle overs which was disappointing, but we will try to improve in the next game.”

Zimbabwe, who upset Pakistan in the third one-day international at the end of their 2-1 loss in the preceding series, were never able to stop Azam’s free-flowing stroke play despite dismissing Fakhar Zaman (19) and Haider Ali (seven) by the eighth over.

Earlier, Zimbabwe added 46 in the last five overs with Madhevere in the lead.

Madhevere, the 20-year-old right-hander, struck a 48-ball 70 not out with nine boundaries and a six to help Zimbabwe post a respectable total.

Madhevere, who had only four runs in his previous two Twenty20 appearances, added 34 runs for the sixth wicket with Elton Chigumbura, who made a 13-ball 21 with a six and two boundaries.

Sean Williams (25) and Brendan Taylor (20) were the other contributors.

For Pakistan, pacemen Haris Rauf and Wahab Riaz took two wickets apiece.

Pakistan gave a Twenty20 international debut to 27-year-old spinner Usman Qadir, son of the great Abdul Qadir, who died last year.

The teams will meet again at the same venue on Sunday and Tuesday.