T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe Beat Pakistan By One Run

• Image Credit: Google

• Oct 27, 2022 | Dhupali Das

This was Pakistan's second defeat in two games, and their path to the semifinals has become tougher...

Digital Desk: In a nail-biting Super 12 match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 at Perth Stadium, Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan by one run on Thursday.

This was Pakistan's second defeat in two games, and their path to the semifinals has become tougher.

Mohammad Wasim Jr (4/24) and Shadab Khan (3/23) bowled brilliantly to help Pakistan restrict Zimbabwe to 130/8 in 20 overs. Wasim and Shadab combined for seven wickets to spark a dramatic collapse, aided by Haris Rauf (1/12), who proved difficult to score off.

Chasing a modest score, Pakistan was in difficulty after losing the wickets of Mohammad Rizwan (14) and Babar Azam (4) in the powerplay.

After that, Shan Masood played a valiant knock (44 off 38) to keep his team in the run chase. However, once he was out, the game began to slip away from Pakistan, as Zimbabwe bowlers were not offering any freebies.

However, Mohammad Nawaz (22) and Mohammad Wasim Jr (12 not out) did not give up. However, Pakistan's hopes were dashed when Nawaz was caught off the second last ball of the innings. In the end, they were bowled out for 129-8 in 20 overs, losing by 1 run.

With his outstanding figures of 3/25, Sikandar Raza was Zimbabwe's most successful bowler. Brad Evans (2/25) was also excellent.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Zimbabwe jumped out to a quick start, with a brave Wessley Madhevere and skipper Craig Ervine playing some eye-catching strokes inside the first two overs. Zimbabwe got off to a fantastic start, scoring 10 runs per over, with five boundaries in the opening three overs.

Some of the early momentum was lost when Ervine was pushed back by Haris Rauf and his partner was stranded in front by Wasim on the following over. Shadab Khan removed Milton Shumba before Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza began the resurrection process.

Soon after, Shadab sent back Williams and Regis Chakabva off successive deliveries, the latter dismissed off a sensational grab at first slip by Babar Azam.

Shadab finished a spectacular spell of 4-0-23-3, but Zimbabwe was in for more from the opposite end. Following two wickets falling to Shadab in consecutive balls, Zimbabwe lost two more wickets in the very next over when Mohammad Wasim removed Raza and Luke Jongwe.

Once 95/3, which appeared to be a decent start, Pakistan's bowlers went on a rampage in Perth, swiftly turning it into 95/7. With a little assistance from Bradley Evans down the order, they eventually put up 130/8 on the board.

Brief Score: Zimbabwe 130/8 in 20 overs (Sean Williams 31, Brad Evans 19; Mohammad Wasim Jr 4/24, Shadab Khan 3/23) beat Pakistan 129-8 in 20 overs (Shan Masood 44, Mohammad Nawaz 22; Sikandar Raza 3/25, Brad Evans 2/25) by 1 run.