Pakistan, semi-finalists of the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, are certainly on the edge of bowing out of the group stages after their shocking defeat to Zimbabwe at Perth. This is Pakistan’s second consecutive loss in this edition after going down against India in the first game.
What will hurt the team in green will be the margin by which they lost the game. The game was in their hands, but at the last moment, Zimbabwe, who maintained their composure, just stole it from them. Under pressure, Pakistan was unable to hold its nerve.
Let’s look at some Twitter reactions to his historic win for Zimbabwe:
One for the history books 👏
Iconic moments captured after Zimbabwe's astonishing one-run win against Pakistan.#T20WorldCup #PAKvZIM pic.twitter.com/7Pr8XCbrpz
— ICC (@ICC) October 27, 2022
Aww man, @ZimCricketv celebrating after the game is joyful: pic.twitter.com/mXxQDjllU8
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) 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
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 27, 2022
Sikandar Raza's World Cup so far: 5 matches, 145 runs at a strike rate of 149, 8 wickets at 12, 3 player of the match awards
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) October 27, 2022
Absolutely brilliant from @ZimCricketv Big loss for @TheRealPCB This tournament will get alot more exciting from here onwards #PAKvsZIM #T20WC2022
— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) October 27, 2022
Incredible win by @ZimCricketv over Pakistan. Turning out to be quite a tournament this @T20WorldCup #PAKvsZIM
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) October 27, 2022
Superb bowling by Zim to defend 130! Pakistan’s batting was a mix of incompetence, false bravado and panic, ruining their own fine bowling effort of theClearly the team hadn’t been able to regroup after demoralising defeat v India. Today’s loss has brought them to brink of ouster
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 27, 2022
#zimbabarI don't know how many TV destroyed today in Pakistan 😅🤔❓
#T20WorldCup2022 #PAKvsZIM #zimbabar
Zimbabwe defeats Pakistan, we’re literally dancing in joy! What a match, well played Zimbabwe!❤️❤️😭😭 #PAKvsZIM #ZimvPak #PAKvsZIM pic.twitter.com/poVBf1tAzQ— Pavan dhangar Parihar (@PavanP16) October 27, 2022
INSHALLAH BOIS PLAYED WELL 🤣🤣 Zimbabar , Haider Ali , WHAT A MATCH
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.#BabarAzam𓃵 #ZimVsPak #PAKvsZIM #PAKvZIM #ZIMvPAK #zimbabar #Zimbabar #HaiderAli pic.twitter.com/FAxkImKG1a— Kohli Fans (@The81072245) October 27, 2022
Zimbabwe defeats Pakistan, we’re literally dancing in joy! What a match, well played Zimbabwe!❤️❤️😭😭 #PAKvsZIM #ZimvPak pic.twitter.com/LDUFTzVAVs
— Varunraj Nannaware 🇮🇳 (@Varunraj_n) October 27, 2022
What A Match , What A Win , What A World Cup ! 🔥@ZimCricketv ✨🇿🇼#PAKvsZIM | #T20worldcup22 pic.twitter.com/2TuPcLTHyX
— Naresh Chouhan (@iamNchouhan) October 27, 2022
What a match, this is tremendous from Zimbabwe!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 27, 2022
What a match 🔥🔥🔥
Congratulations to Zimbabwe for the historic victory 👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/2Fwdbet7V3— VARUNP (@VARUNP29887116) October 27, 2022
Last ball of Zimbabwe vs Pakistan 🔥🔥
Well played, What a match ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/KLrFS45RQX
— Rishabh pant fans club (@rishabpantclub) October 27, 2022
WHAT A MATCH
CONGRATULATIONS ZIMBABWE
HATS OFF TO YOUR BOWLING 🥶#PAKvsZIM pic.twitter.com/lmotYjQYbn— Glacierking (@Glacierking18) October 27, 2022
Zimbabwe hand Pakistan a shocking defeat
Zimbabwe was restricted to 130-8 in their 20 overs. Pakistan did well to prevent them from reaching 150 as the former lost three wickets in almost two overs. Shadab Khan had taken two wickets in consecutive deliveries, and Mohammad Wasim had taken four wickets in his quota of overs.
Pakistan hadn’t gotten off to the best start losing their openers early. There was a partnership brewing between Shan Masood and Shadab Khan, but Zimbabwe’s man in form, Sikander Raza, stood for them dismissing both Shadab Khan and Haider Ali in the same over. In his next over, he sent the well-set Shaan Masood back to the pavilion.
From there onwards, Zimbabwe was in control of the game to a certain extent. Exceptional bowling from Brad Evans in the last over helped see them across the line by the tiniest of margins. This game again reinforced the point of Pakistan’s overreliance on their openers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
If Pakistan loses another of their encounters, they will officially be eliminated from the tournament. Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be in action on Sunday against the Netherlands and Bangladesh, respectively.
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