With 11 needed of the final over, and 3 needed of the final delivery, Zimbabwe were able to hold on to their nerves as they beat Pakistan by 1 run. Pakistan only have themselves to blame though. After a splendid show with the ball, their openers failed second time in two successive games and the middle-order, bar Masood, just couldn't hung long enough to see their team through the finish line.
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Pakistan took a strong blow in the race for semifinals, as Babar Azam and Co. endured a one-run defeat against Zimbabwe in the Super 12 encounter at the T20 World Cup in Perth on Thursday. The low-scoring affair saw Pakistan manage 129/8 in response to Zimbabwe's 130/8.
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Sikandar Raza was the standout bowler from Zimbabwe camp, scalping three wickets in his four overs. Meanwhile, Babar Azam's struggle continued as he was packed cheaply on 4. Shortly after his dismissal Blessing Muzarabani cleaned up Mohammad Rizwan on 14.
Iftikhar Ahmed also fell for 5. Shan Masood and Shadab Khan then kept the scoreboard ticking before Raza scalped two wickets in consecutive deliveries. He then provided Zimbabwe with a crucial wicket of Masood, who was stumped on 44. With 11 needed of the final over, and 3 needed of the final delivery, Zimbabwe were able to hold on to their nerves as they beat Pakistan by 1 run.
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Earlier in the day, Mohammad Wasim scalped four wickets and Shadab picked three as Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 130/8 in 20 overs after they opted to bat first. Zimbabwe got off to a strong start, with openers Wesley Madhevere and Craig Ervine dealing in boundaries.
Haris Rauf then provided Pakistan with the first breakthrough and ever since they dictated the proceedings. There was a point when Shadab and Wasim combined to dismiss four batters in the span of six deliveries, handing Pakistan complete control.
