Sports Bulletin Report
Perth (AUS): Zimbabwe recorded only their second victory over Pakistan in 18 T20Is, first in a World Cup, when they won a crucial Group 2 Super-12 fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 by one-run here on Thursday.
Needing 11 runs in the final over, Pakistan scored eight runs off the first three balls but managed only one in the next three balls to finish at 129 for eight in reply to Zimbabwe’s 130 for eight.
The turning point in the last over was the dismissal of Mohammad Nawaz (22) on the penultimate ball when he was caught at mid-off off Brad Evans. Shaheen Shah Afridi was able to connect the last delivery of the innings, but his effort was not enough to secure two runs that were needed for a Super Over as he was run-out by a distance despite a fumble by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva.
The result has left Pakistan winless after two matches, while India and South Africa have four and three points, respectively from as many matches. This makes Pakistan’s passage to the semifinals extremely difficult as even wins against The Netherlands (30 October in Perth), South Africa (3 November in Sydney) and Bangladesh (6 November in Adelaide) will not absolutely guarantee them a place in the last four.
India’s remaining matches are against South Africa (30 October), Bangladesh (2 November) and Zimbabwe (6 November), while South Africa, after their 30 October and 3 November matches against India and Pakistan, respectively will play their last match against The Netherlands on 6 November.
Pakistan, in their pursuit of the 131 runs target and despite losing Babar Azam (4), Mohammad Rizwan (14), Iftikhar Ahmed (5), Shadab Khan (17), Haider Ali (0) and Shan Masood (44), needed 37 runs from 29 balls. Though they were able to score 18 runs through boundaries (3x4, 1x6), the remaining 25 balls yielded only 17 runs, which in the end made all the difference between winning and losing.
Shan top-scored with a 38-ball 44 with three fours, while Nawaz’s 18-ball 22 included a four and a six. Mohammad Wasim finished with a 13-ball 12 not out with two fours.
For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza picked up three wickets for 25 runs to walk away with the player of the match award. Brad Evans bagged two wickets for 25 runs.
Earlier, Zimbabwe, electing to bat after winning the toss, were restricted to 130 for eight following a brisk 42-run first wicket stand in five overs. Haris Rauf accounted for Craig Ervine (19) and Mohammad Wasim dismissed Wessly Madhevere (17) as Zimbabwe slipped to 43 for two in the space of three balls before Pakistan picked up four wickets in six balls as Zimbabwe slipped from 95 for three to 95 for seven.
At that stage, Ryan Burl (10 not out) and Brad Evans (19) put on 31 priceless runs for the eighth wicket to help Zimbabwe reach 130 for eight. Sean Williams was the batter who provided some resistance in the middle-order when he scored a 28-ball 31 before Shadab bowled him.
For Pakistan, 21-year-old Wasim, who replaced Asif Ali in the playing eleven, produced his career-best figures of four for 24, while Shadab picked up three for 23.
Scores in brief
Match 24 – Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by one-run
Zimbabwe 130-8, 20 overs (Sean Williams 31, Mohammad Wasim 4-24, Shadab Khan 3-23)
Pakistan 129-8, 20 overs (Shan Masood 44, Mohammad Nawaz 22, Shadab Khan 17, Mohammad Rizwan 14, Mohammad Wasim 12 not out; Sikandar Raza 3-25, Brad Evans 2-25)
Pakistan’s next match – vs The Netherlands, Sunday, 30 October (12pm PKT)
