Minnows Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan beating them by one run in a thrilling ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 match that went down to the last delivery at the Perth Stadium.
The result meant it was Pakistan’s second defeat in two games, making their path to the semifinal fairly difficult after losing to arch-rivals India in their campaign opener.
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Mohammad Wasim Jr (4/24) and Shadab Khan’s (3/23) excellent bowling helped Pakistan restrict Zimbabwe to 130/8 in 20 overs. Wasim and Shadab took seven wickets together to trigger a collapse, and were supported by Haris Rauf (1/12) who was aggressive with his bowling.
Chasing an easy target, Pakistan lost Mohammad Rizwan (14) and Babar Azam (4) in the powerplay. Babar was squared up by Brad Evans for just four runs off nine balls while Blessing Muzarabani cleaned up Mohammad Rizwan following an inside edge for 14 (16).
Soon, Iftikhar Ahmed (5) was also dismissed but Pakistan came back after a solid partnership between Shan Masood and Shadab Khan as they reached 88/3 with over six overs still remaining.
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However, Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza claimed two wickets in two balls to remove Shadab (17) and Haider Ali (0), before getting Masood (44) stumped in his next over to give Zimbabwe hope. Mohammad Nawaz (22) and Mohammad Wasim Jr (12 not out) batted their hearts out as Pakistan needed 11 to win off the last over.
Wasim hit a boundary to bring the equation to three from three with Mohammad Nawaz at the crease. However, Brad Evans produced three dream deliveries when it mattered the most.
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In the first of the three deliveries, Evans sent a bouncer that Nawaz failed to connect. Then, a miscue off the penultimate ball had Nawaz caught at mid-off by skipper Craig Ervine.
With three to win, Shaheen Afridi played the final ball down the ground, and made a desperate attempt for a second run which would have tied the match. Wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva failed to collect a throw initially, but recovered to take the bails off with Afridi still short of his crease, handing Zimbabwe a thrilling one-wicket win.
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Sikandar Raza was the most successful bowler for Zimbabwe with figures of 3/25 while Brad Evans took 2/25.
Brief Scores
Zimbabwe 130/8 in 20 overs (Sean Williams 31, Brad Evans 19; Mohammad Wasim Jr 4/24, Shadab Khan 3/23)
Pakistan 129/8 in 20 overs (Shan Masood 44, Mohammad Nawaz 22; Sikandar Raza 3/25, Brad Evans 2/25)
