Zimbabwe stunned Pakistan in the Group 2 match in the 20-20 World Cup 2022 on in Perth on October 27, Thursday, as they won the thrilling encounter by 1 run. Pakistan failed to chase down the target of 131 and finished their innings at 129/8 in 20 overs. Following Zimbabwe’s emphatic win, their President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa congratulated the cricket team with a hilarious message for Pakistan.
Mnangagwa took to Twitter on Thursday to congratulate Zimbabwe on the historic win, however, the Tweet grabbed attention for his witty statement that he directed towards Pakistan. He wrote, “What a win for Zimbabwe! Congratulations to the Chevrons. Next time, send the real Mr Bean…#PakvsZim”
What a win for Zimbabwe! Congratulations to the Chevrons.
Next time, send the real Mr Bean…#PakvsZim ??
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) October 27, 2022
Emmerson was referring to Pakistan’s comedian Asif Muhammad, a doppelganger of Mr Bean who had travelled to Zimbabwe in 2016 posing as the actual Mr Bean, originally played by the actor Rowan Atkinson. Among the many replies that the Tweet got, one was from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who responded with a subtle dig.
Shehbaz Sharif responded to Zimbabwe President’s tweet and wrote, “We may not have the real Mr Bean, but we have real cricketing spirit .. and we Pakistanis have a funny habit of bouncing back:) Mr President: Congratulations. Your team played really well today,” accompanied by a clap emoticon
We may not have the real Mr Bean, but we have real cricketing spirit .. and we Pakistanis have a funny habit of bouncing back 🙂
Mr President: Congratulations. Your team played really well today. ? https://t.co/oKhzEvU972
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 27, 2022
Coming back to the match, Zimbabwe could only manage to score 130/8 after electing to bat first. Sean Williams finished as the top-scorer of the innings scoring 31 off 28 balls with the help of three fours. Muhammad Wasim junior was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan who scalped four wickets for 24 runs in his four overs. Shadab Khan also picked up three wickets for 23 runs.
In reply to Zimbabwe’s total, Pakistan’s chase got off to a miserable start as they lost openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the third and fourth over of the innings. Shan Masood tried to stabilise the innings with his knock of 44 off 38 but Sikandar Raza’s brilliant spell in the middle brought Zimbabwe back into the match.
Raza ended up picking 3/25 in his four overs to break the back of Pakistan. Brad Evans defended 11 runs in the final over to guide his team to a thrilling win.
