Zim Zing stuns Pakistan

Zimbabwe pull off massive upset as they beat Pakistan by a solitary run; offie Sikandar claims 3-25 at Perth

Zimbabwe pulled off a stunning one-run upset over Pakistan on Thursday to put the Asian giants in danger of an early exit from the Twenty20 World Cup. Zimbabwe were restricted to 130-8 after electing to bat first but their bowlers choked Pakistan to 129-8 for a memorable win in the Super 12 match in Perth.

Masood’s 44 in vain 

Pakistan’s chase looked on course when Shan Masood, who made 44, put on a 52-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shadab Khan. But Sikandar Raza broke the stand with Shadab’s wicket and was to be Pakistan’s tormentor-in-chief, returning figures of 3-25. 

Raza, a finger spinner, then trapped Haider Ali lbw on the next ball for nought to be on a hat-trick that was averted by Mohammad Nawaz. Raza soon took down Masood (44 of 38 balls) and Nawaz attempted to get the remaining runs, 11 off the final over, but was run out on the penultimate ball of the 20th over.

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Three too much for Pak

Needing three on the final ball, new batsman Shaheen Shah Afridi ran one, but got run out when running for the second as Zimbabwe’s players erupted in celebration.  Earlier, skipper Babar Azam got off the mark with a boundary after seven dots, but soon got out to Brad Evans to extend his bad run in the tournament.

Mohammad Rizwan hit a four and a six but followed his partner back to the dug out after chopping an in-coming delivery from pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani on to his stumps. Pakistan were in trouble at 36-3 when Luke Jongwe sent back Iftikhar Ahmed for five, before Shan and Shadab pulled things back for a while. 

Zimbabwe’s openers Wesley Madhevere and Craig Ervine had used the pace of Pakistan’s seamers to good effect. But Shadab’s 3-23 with his wrist spin and pace bowler Mohammad Wasim’s 4-24 restricted Zimbabwe to 130-8.

Brief scores
Zimbabwe 130-8 in 20 overs (S Williams 31; M Wasim 4-24, S Khan 3-23) beat Pakistan 129-8 in 20 overs (S Masood 44; S Raza 3-25, B Evans 2-25) by one run

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