Zimbabwe pulled off a shocking 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.
It was Pakistan's second straight loss after their agonising, opening defeat to arch-rivals India, who top the group with two victories out of two. Soon after Pakistan failed to clinch victory in the thrilling match, Twitter had a meltdown as fans, celebrities expressed disappointment and shock over the loss.
"Disappointed. No words. Absolutely no words," Asim Azhar shared on the bird app.
Disappointed. No words. Absolutely no words.
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 27, 2022
While he expressed his disappointment, he also shared that he will always back up our men in green. "Wish I was a seasonal fan like many others, would be really easy to hate/abuse and take out my frustration right now," the Habibi crooner shared.
Wish i was a seasonal fan like many others, would be really easy to hate/abuse and take out my frustration rn. As much as I’m angry - this is still my team, thru the ups & thru the downs. The game was heartbreaking but these boys will always be my boys. Baaki sab ki apni marzi. https://t.co/iTS13Ua4EE
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 27, 2022
"As much as I’m angry - this is still my team, through the ups and through the downs. The game was heartbreaking but these boys will always be my boys. The rest of you can do as you please."
He added, "You can criticise, but don't abuse. With that being said, we were very rubbish today. Big changes to be done!"
Bhai criticism karain, leken abuse nahi.
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 27, 2022
With that being said, we were very rubbish today. Big changes to be done! https://t.co/I4Cn9VXeHQ
He concluded by saying, "We were rubbish today. Deserved to lose. But anyone who wears the star on their chest has my support and will always do. Not just only when their playing world-class. But ALWAYS. That’s the kind of fan I am. With that being said, I request everyone to criticise but do not abuse."
We were rubbish today. Deserved to lose. But anyone who wears the star on their chest has my support & will always do. Not just only when their playing world class. But ALWAYS. That’s the kind of fan I am. With that being said, i request everyone to criticise but DO NOT abuse. 🙏🏽
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 27, 2022
Haroon Shahid tweeted, "Well played Zimbabwe! Sorry to say, even if we had pulled this off, this was still embarrassing to watch how much we struggled against them. Can't get my head around the fact why would you go for that shot when you knew you had settled the game? Pathetic show!"
Well played Zimbabwe!! Sorry to say, even if we had pulled this off, this was still embarrassing to watch as how much we struggled against them. Can't get my head around the fact why would you go for that shot when you knew you had settled the game. Pathetic show! #PAKvsZIM
— Haroon Shahid (@Haroon_5hahid) October 27, 2022
Fahad Mustafa pointed out where the team lacked and shared, "So we can't play pace, we can't play spin. We can only hit when pitched up and that too when the pace is around 130."
So we cant play pace
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) October 27, 2022
We cant play spin
We can only hit when pitched up and that too when the pace is around 130 🤨
Malala, too, was shocked. "What just happened!" the Nobel Prize laureate shared. Phenomenal performance by Team Zimbabwe, especially Raza!"
What just happened!!! 🤯
— Malala (@Malala) October 27, 2022
Phenomenal performance by Team Zimbabwe especially Raza!
#PAKvsZIM #T20WC2022 pic.twitter.com/9mxF06s4Y6
Filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi commented, "Well played Zimbabwe, unfortunately, the Pakistan team is not ready to play modern and aggressive cricket, we need the Pakistan team to be number one, not the players!"
Well played Zimbabwe, unfortunately pak team is not ready to play modern and aggressive cricket, we need pakistan team to be on number 1, not the players ! #PAKvsZIM
— Nabeel Qureshi (@nabeelqureshi) October 27, 2022
Zimbabwe, who came through the first round in Australia to reach the Super 12, are third in Group 2 behind South Africa. Only the top two reach the semi-finals.
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.
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. He fell for a duck against India. Mohammad Rizwan hit a four and a six but followed his partner back to the dugout after chopping an in-coming delivery from pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani onto his stumps.
Pakistan were in trouble at 36-3 when Luke Jongwe sent back Iftikhar Ahmed for five with his medium-pace bowling, before Shan and Shadab pulled things back for a while. 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.
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