Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe by one run in a last-ball nail-biter in their second game of the Super 12 of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Perth on Thursday. 

The loss is likely to deal a blow to the team’s hopes of moving into the semifinals of the group stages.

Chasing a target of 131 to win, Pakistan’s opening batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan were dismissed fairly early. Six over later, the team hadn’t managed to gain much ground, sitting at 28 for 2, with Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood at the crease.

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The two managed a partnership of 52 runs off 36 balls until the fourth wicket was taken. The duo single handedly made it seem like Zimbabwe was on track to lose. But their valiant stand was not to be as Iftikhar was caught behind thanks to Luke Jongwe. 

Three down at 36, Pakistan managed to climb to 94 for 6 while chasing their target. Zimbabwean off-spinner Sikandar Raza struck gold in the 14th over, taking Haider Ali and Shadab Khan off the field. Though Masood was still on the crease, he ended up being stumped off a wide ball in the 16th over with Raza walking away with 3 wickets off 25 balls. 

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What followed was Pakistan’s demise as Zimbabwe turned on the heat with its bowling and excellent fielding. With Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz on the field, Pakistan needed 11 to win, with an over remaining. Despite his efforts, Brad Evans conceded seven runs, including a four from Wasim.

Nawaz was on strike and despite his best efforts to send the ball into the stands, it was not to be. He failed to connect on the fourth delivery before being caught on the fifth. 

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Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi came on with the responsibility of making three runs off the last ball. Despite a confident hit, Zimbabwean fielding trumped as the ball made its way from the grounds to the hands of Chakabva who after fumbling for a second took the bails off the wickets and registering the country’s stunning win.