In a season of upsets, here comes the most shocking upset in the T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe has defeated Pakistan in a nail-biting thriller. Pakistan failed by a margin of just 1 run in a chase needing 131 runs. Zimbabwe, though dwindled while batting first, put on an exemplary bowling performance to earn a hard-fought win over Pakistan at the Super 12 stage. Skipper Sikander Raza turned out the MVP for Zimbabwe scalping 3 important wickets in the chase.
The toss and the first innings for the most part favored the favorites in the game. However, Zimbabwe presented a show of sheer determination as they attained a grip on the game in the second innings. Batting first, Zimbabwe dwindled as they lost four wickets within a span of two overs scoring no runs between the wickets. Skipper Sikander Raza also failed to impress with the bat as Mohammad Wasim Jr. stunned the opponents.
Also Read: “Not happy with my fifty,” says Rohit Sharma Post India’s win against Netherlands
However, Babar Azam failed to find his lost form as he lost his wicket in the powerplay itself with a mere score of 4 off 9. Rizwan followed suit as Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani scalped his wicket at the score of 16. Of all, Shan Masood showed the temperament to carry the game home for Pakistan. However, Masood failed to turn Pakistan’s dwindling batting performance into a win. Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Haider Ali departed cheaply giving Zimbabwe the domination of the match.
With the match on the wire in the last over, Mohammad Nawaz handed a fairly easy catch to Ervine at the mid-off at Brad Evan’s attack. In walked Shaheen Shah Afridi with 3 needed off the last bowl. Afridi could drive the bowl only to the long-on. And Chakabva ran Afridi out in his attempt to collect a second run. With the run-out, Zimbabwe seized the match and an engraved spot in cricket history. Pakistan is almost out of the World Cup as their campaign now stands at the mercy of other teams in Group 2. Also, Pakistan has yet again failed to register its maiden win on Australian soil.
