PAK vs ZIM, T20 World Cup 2022: The World Cup of upsets, this is how it has panned out to be so far. The teams that were not even considered favorites have risen to the occasion and have surprised the big boys. Pakistan were still recovering from the treatment that India dished out to them on October 24, 2022, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but this is something that will play on their minds for a very long time now.
What was perceived to be a dead rubber ended up becoming a thriller. Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat first. Skipper Craig Ervine opened the proceedings with Wesley Madhevere but their stay was shortened by Haris Rauf and Wasim Jr. Milton Shumba tried to steady Pakistan's ship, but Shadab Khan dismissed him for 8 runs. Sean Williams brought some respite to Zimbabwe as he scored 31 off 28 deliveries. To Zimbabwe's dismay, Sikandar Raza couldn't go past 10 runs but they somehow cruised and registered a total of 130. Mohammad Wasim Jr made the ball talk for Pakistan as he scalped 4 wickets in his quota of 4 overs.
ALSO READ | Virat Kohli races ahead of Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam & Michael Hussey
When Pakistan came out to chase, it was certainly an easy task for them but they made a mockery out of it. Both their stalwarts Rizwana and Babar failed at the top of the order. It was their hero from the last match Shan Masood who scored 44 off 38 deliveries and kept the chase alive, but as soon as he departed, Pakistan's batting crumbled like a house of cards. It was Mohammad Nawaz who tried to execute some last-moment heroics for his team but their cause was long lost. It was Sikandar Raza who scalped 3 wickets and broke Pakistan's back.
Roads are pretty tough for Pakistan ahead as they have to put these losses behind them and prepare themselves to face the South African which certainly is going to be an uphill task.
ALSO READ | Relive Virat Kohli's historic sixes to Haris Rauf in Slo-Mo | WATCH VIDEO
Pakistan XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
Zimbabwe XI: Wesley Madhevere, Craig Ervine (c), Milton Shumba, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (wk), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
