Zimbabwe scripted a memorable one-run upset over Pakistan on Thursday to put the Men in Green in danger of an early exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.
The Chevrons were restricted to 130/8 after electing to bat first, but their bowlers performed outstandingly well, stopping Pakistan at 129/8 and registering a stunning win at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Notably, it was Pakistan’s second straight loss after they faced a defeat in their opening fixture to arch-rivals India in Melbourne.
The fans in Zimbabwe were watching with bated breaths as the last over began, with Pakistan needing 11 runs. Pacer Brad Evans didn’t start well and got tonked for a 3 and a four with fuller balls. He then adjusted his line and hit the hard lengths to trim the equation down to three required off the last ball.
With Shaheen Afridi at the strike, Evans went for a full delivery, and the batter could only hit to mid-on. The batting pair ran hard, and there was even a fumble by the wicketkeeper Regis Chakabwa, but he managed to recover in time and affected a run-out as Zimbabweans burst into crazy celebrations.
Zimbabwe Cricket’s media manager Yvonne Mangunda shared a video from Harare on her Twitter handle, where fans can be seen celebrating wildly. The video caption read: “The way people sang throughout the innings at Harare Sports Club was out of this world. I had to capture the final moments of the innings. A pitch invasion over a match on TV. A first and a lovely first.”
Here is the video:
The way people sang throughout the innings at Harare Sports Club was out of this world. I had to capture the final moments of the innings.
A pitch invasion over a match on TV. A first and a lovely first pic.twitter.com/dNPFkZWKVh
— Yvonne Mangunda 🇿🇼 (@yvonnemangunda) October 27, 2022
“So special. I want to thank the Zimbabwean supporters that came out today to support us. You guys really lift our spirits wherever we go, so special thanks,” said Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine after the game.
