Zimbabwe and Pakistan locked horns in the Super 12 round of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022 game at the Optus Stadium in Perth. It was a must0win game for both teams. Pakistan had lost agonizingly to arch-rivals India to start their campaign. On the other hand, Zimbabwe's first game of the second round against South Africa was washed out. After the game, the Red Army shared one point with their African neighbors.
Talking about the game, the Craig Ervine-led side won the toss and elected to bat first. They had a good start as the openers, Ervine, and Wessly Madhevere scored 42 runs in five overs. However, they couldn't make it big as they lost three wickets for 64 runs in 9.4.overs. The likes of Sean William and Sikandar Raza tried to stabilize the innings with a partnership of 31 runs.
However, two wickets each from Shadad Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jr derailed the Southern African team's innings. They somehow managed to amass 130/8.
Pakistan makes a mess of the chase
In reply, the 2009 winners started poorly once again as they lost their in-form openers, skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan inside the powerplay. Iftikhar Ahmed, who did well against India, was caught down the leg side after scoring only five runs. At 36/3, the likes of Shadab Khan and Shan Masood put together 52 runs to bring some stability to the chase.
At this stage, it looked like the Green Brigade will chase down the target easily. However, Pakistan-born Zimbabwe player Sikandar Raza had other ideas. He took the wickets of Khan, Masood, and Haider Ali in different overs to change the complexion of the game. The likes of Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Wasim Jr took the game close and looked like winning it. However, when the team needed three runs off as many balls, Nawaz played a dot ball, followed by getting caught at mid-off.
On the last ball, the Asian team needed three runs. However, Shaheen Afridi couldn't complete the second run to take the game to the Super over. He got run out and the team lost the game by one run.
This is how Twitter reacted
We are officially the biggest chokers in world cricket.
β Haroon (@hazharoon) October 27, 2022
Brad Evans ne ghanta baja diya #BabarAzamπ΅ #PAKvsZIM #T20WorldCup2022
β Wasay Habib (@wwasay) October 27, 2022
First Ireland defeated England & now Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan. Cricket is a game of uncertainties and possibilities. No team should be branded as a minnow. Looking forward to rest of the matches #T20WC2022 well done @ZimCricketv #PAKvsZIM
β Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 27, 2022
Pic 1 - Pakistan After 20 overs of Zimbabwe batting
β Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 27, 2022
Pic 2- Pakistan after 20 overs of their batting. #PAKvsZIM pic.twitter.com/amXnUFprQy
Well played, Zimbabwe! π
β KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 27, 2022
A special win for Zimbabwe! πΏπΌ#PAKvZIM | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/IBnZUchk9A
β The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) October 27, 2022
Wonβt call the result an upset, if you watched the match you know Zimbabwe played top cricket from ball #1 and showed how to defend a low total on a batting pitch. Congratulations @ZimCricketv on the win, your passion and hard work shows #PAKvsZIM
β Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 27, 2022
πππ speechless #PAKvsZIM #ICCT20WorldCup2022
β Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 27, 2022
What a game - and what a win for Zimbabwe! πΏπΌ
β Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 27, 2022
They triumph by one run as Pakistan lose a last-ball thriller for the second match in a row! π΅π°
Reaction to a #T20WorldCup classic on Sky Sports Cricket πΊ pic.twitter.com/gTEezqQwu4
Pakistan were like ΰ€ΰ€΅ΰ€Ύΰ€ΰ₯ ΰ€ΰ€Ύΰ€ΰ€΅ this game. Absolutely clueless #PAKvsZIM #ZimvsPak #T20WorldCup2022
β Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 27, 2022
Pakistan can still qualify for the semifinals if they win all their upcoming matches and South Africa lose to both Pakistan and India. #T20WorldCup
β Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 27, 2022
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