Zimbabwe 130 for 8 (Williams 31, Wasim 4-24, Shadab 3-23) beat Pakistan 129 for 8 (Masood 44, Raza 3-25, Evans 2-25) by one run
Zimbabwe promised to cause as much damage as they could in the Super 12s and, two games in, they have inflicted a major blow. They defended 130 to deny Pakistan their first points and leave them at risk of not making the semi-finals, and they did in extraordinary fashion.
After a strong start in their batting, they slipped to 95 for 7 and set Pakistan a modest target on a pitch with good bounce and a big outfield. But Zimbabwe have an understated and varied attack and they gave Pakistan’s – which Shadab Khan proudly proclaimed the best in the tournament – competition for that label.
Zimbabwe’s pacers removed Pakistan’s openers in the first five overs before Luke Jongwe dismissed Iftikhar Ahmed to leave the score at 36 for 3. Shan Masood and Shadab got the chase back on track with a 52-run fourth-wicket stand but then came the surprises.
And now Pakistan are hanging by a thread. They need to win all of their remaining games, and hope South Africa lose to India, if they are to make the semi-finals.
More to follow
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