December 5, 2024

Tinotenda Maposa’s Last-Over Heroics Secure Thrilling Win for Zimbabwe

The final T20I of the series was an intense, low-scoring match that ended in dramatic fashion. Pakistan had already won the series, but Zimbabwe’s performance on Wednesday brought the crowd in Bulawayo to life. In a game full of ups and downs, Zimbabwe took control, lost it, and then reclaimed victory in a thrilling finish. The winning moment came when Richard Ngarava’s shot hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end, creating a moment of hesitation. With a quick single, Zimbabwe secured a two-wicket victory, a win that, despite being just a consolation in a 2-1 series loss, felt incredibly important to the team and their supporters.

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Zimbabwe’s dramatic chase sealed in the final over

Chasing a target of 133 after a disappointing batting display by Pakistan, Zimbabwe’s openers, Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani, seemed to make the chase straightforward with a quick 50 in just five overs. However, Zimbabwe’s middle order is known for being fragile, so no game is ever guaranteed. Even when Zimbabwe was comfortably placed at 73 for 1, with over half the overs still to play, Pakistan sensed an opportunity, especially with Sufiyan Muqeem dominating the middle overs again. In a dramatic five-over spell, Zimbabwe’s score dropped from 73 for 1 to 94 for 5, as Muqeem intensified the pressure and Abbas Afridi chipped in with crucial wickets. With four overs left, the required run rate surged to nearly 12 per over.

Pakistan saw Sikandar Raza as the last hurdle, and when he was dismissed for a weak shot caught at long-on off Jahandad Khan, Zimbabwe’s chances seemed to vanish. With 12 needed from the final over and 21-year-old Tinotenda Maposa on T20 debut facing the last over, the odds were against them. But then came a turning point: a scrambled boundary, followed by a powerful six over square leg, brought Zimbabwe within two runs of victory. More drama unfolded when Tashinga Musekiwa attempted a big shot and mistimed it, but the spirited crowd in Bulawayo, singing their hearts out, willed their team on, and this time, Zimbabwe secured the win.

Disciplined Zimbabwe leave Pakistan in trouble

Rebounding from harsh criticism following their collapse in the second T20I, Zimbabwe took the field with renewed determination. Blessing Muzarabani struck first, dismissing Omair Yousuf for a duck, and Wellington Masakadza, who bowled with consistent accuracy, then outfoxed Sahibzada Farhan. The third wicket came when Usman Khan’s cautious shot off Muzarabani was caught, giving Zimbabwe a clear edge in the powerplay.

Sikandar Raza recognized that Pakistan was struggling against spin and brought himself, Ryan Burl, and Brian Bennett into the attack during the middle overs. Pakistan’s batting lineup was stretched thin, forcing them to rebuild through this period. Salman Agha formed valuable partnerships with Tayyab Tahir and Qasim Akram, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Late cameos from Arafat Minhas and Abbas Afridi helped Pakistan reach over 100 runs. It was only a sloppy 13-run final over from Muzarabani that allowed Pakistan to cross 130, against a Zimbabwean bowling attack that had been tight and effective throughout. Despite this, it was still nearly enough for Pakistan to secure the win.

Bennett and Marumani dominate Pakistan

Pakistan were defending a low total, and Zimbabwe’s openers quickly took control of the chase. The intent was clear from the start when Bennett smashed Mohammad Hasnain to the square leg boundary on the first ball. Marumani, who had consistently outplayed Jahandad throughout the series, struck two boundaries through the offside in the second over, setting Zimbabwe on an aggressive path.

When Hasnain returned for his second over, he was taken to task by Bennett. His inconsistent line and length allowed Bennett to exploit the opportunities, scoring 19 runs off the over with boundaries on both sides of the wicket. In response, Salman brought himself into the attack, but Marumani audaciously reverse-swept him for a boundary on the first ball. In just 19 balls, Zimbabwe raced to 40, reducing the required run rate to under five.

Muqeem’s brilliance almost upsets Zimbabwe’s chase

Muqeem’s impact in T20I cricket was evident as Pakistan turned to him in their bid for a breakthrough and to control the run rate. No batsman seemed able to pick his wrong-un, and while his figures of 4-1-19-1 don’t fully capture his skill, they highlight his dominance. Several deliveries narrowly missed the outside edge, and a couple of top edges could have easily been caught at slip. His spell reached its peak in a captivating final over to Musekiwa, who, under pressure, tried to survive and even played out a maiden as the required rate climbed with each delivery. On another day, Muqeem might have sealed the win before his spell concluded. Judging by this series, there will be many more occasions where he delivers such performances.

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