Absolute madness at Cricket World Cup as Mr Bean rivalry explodes

A truly bonkers rivalry has exploded at the T20 World Cup on the back of a Presidential swipe, a Hollywood impersonator and an insane upset.

Well absolutely nobody saw this coming.

The most unlikely of rivalries has exploded at the T20 World Cup on the back of a Presidential swipe, a Hollywood impersonator and an insane upset.

Zimbabwe is celebrating one of its biggest wins in recent times after a stunning one-run upset over Pakistan on Friday morning (AEDT) in Perth.

Suddenly Asian giant Pakistan is in danger of an early exit from Australia following the memorable Super 12 thriller.

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But the result is being overshadowed somewhat by an extraordinary tweet from Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

The post has sparked a social media frenzy and has given birth to what is now being referred to as the “Pak Bean Cup” rivalry between the two countries.

The President’s wild swipe centres around a previous social media storm when a Mr Bean impersonator’s 2016 show in Zimbabwe flopped dramatically with widespread calls from fans to have their money returned.

An entertainer referred to as Pak Bean, who impersonates English comedian Rowan Atkinson’s iconic character, was referenced in a tweet by a fan before the match and it has since gone viral with 31,000 likes.

Pak Bean is not what the cricket world expected to be talking about today.

Pak Bean is the spitting image.

“As Zimbabweans we wont forgive you... you once gave us that Fraud Pak Bean instead of Mr Bean Rowan. We will settle the matter tomorrow just pray the rains will save you,” the fan wrote.

Following Zimbabwe’s boilover win, the Zimbabwean leader couldn’t help himself.

“What a win for Zimbabwe! Congratulations to the Chevrons. Next time, send the real Mr Bean,” he wrote.

His tweet has almost 200,000 likes.

What a win for Zimbabwe! Congratulations to the Chevrons.

Next time, send the real Mr Bean…#PakvsZim 🇿🇼

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) October 27, 2022

The ridiculousness of the drama has sent the cricket wold into a spin.

Indian cricket great Virender Sehwag posted on Twitter the Zimbabwe revenge had “struck a nerve” of Pakistan.

Indian comedian Danish Sait also posted: “When Zimbabwe ask for Mr. Bean, you give them Mr. Bean. This Pak Bean revenge has been taken”.

The drama was equally as bonkers on the field.

Zimbabwe were restricted to 130-8 after electing to bat first but their bowlers, led by Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza, choked Pakistan to 129-8.

It was Pakistan’s second straight loss after their agonising, opening defeat to arch-rivals India, who top Group 2 with two victories out of two.

“It’s the best victory that I have been a part of with Zimbabwe,” man-of-the-match Raza told reporters.

“This is the World Cup, the biggest stage, and to beat Pakistan by one run.... the modest total, you have got to do everything to defend it, and we did.”

The photos tell the story.

Bradley Evans of Zimbabwe celebrates. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Zimbabwe's players celebrate their victory. Photo by TREVOR COLLENS / AFP.

Zimbabwe, who came through the first round in Australia to reach the Super 12, are third behind South Africa.

Only the top two reach the semi-finals.

“It’s so special, especially for the work that we did to get into the Super 12s and we didn’t want our tournament to end there,” said Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine.

“We wanted to come in and play some really good cricket against some top teams, and I thought we did that exceptionally well today.”

Muhammad Wasim of Pakistan reacts as a wicket falls. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Pakistan’s chase looked on course when Shan Masood, who made 44, put on a 52-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shadab Khan.

But Raza broke the stand with Shadab’s wicket and was to be Pakistan’s tormentor-in-chief, returning figures of 3-25.

Raza, a finger spinner, then trapped Haider Ali lbw on the next ball for nought to be on a hat-trick that was averted by Mohammad Nawaz.

Raza soon took down Masood (44 off 38 balls) and Nawaz attempted to get the remaining runs, 11 off the final over, but was run out on the penultimate ball of the 20th over.

Zimbabwe celebrate their moment. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images.

Needing three on the final ball, new batsman Shaheen Shah Afridi ran one but got run out when sprinting for the second as Zimbabwe’s players erupted in celebration.

Pakistan are fifth in the group and next play the Netherlands at the same Perth venue on Sunday.

They must win their remaining three matches and hope other results go their way to stand any chance of moving into the final four.

“To be honest, it’s hard, but it’s two days to go (before the next match) so we will sit together and come back strongly,” said skipper Babar Azam.

In Pakistan’s reply, Azam got off the mark with a boundary after seven dots, but soon got out to Brad Evans to extend his bad run in the tournament. He fell for a duck against India.

Mohammad Rizwan hit a four and a six but followed his partner back to the dugout after chopping an in-coming delivery from pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani on to his stumps.

Pakistan were in trouble at 36-3 when Luke Jongwe sent back Iftikhar Ahmed for five with his medium-pace bowling, before Masood and Shadab pulled things back for a while.

Zimbabwe’s openers Wesley Madhevere and Ervine had used the pace of Pakistan’s seamers to good effect with a string of boundaries in a 42-run stand.

But all-rounder Shadab’s 3-23 with his wrist spin and pace bowler Mohammad Wasim’s 4-24 held Zimbabwe — whose opening match in the Super 12 in Hobart was a washout — to what seemed a below-par total.

Zimbabwe lost four wickets on 95 -- Sean Williams, Regis Chakabva, Raza and Jongwe — before Brad Evans took his team past the 120-run mark.

Williams was Zimbabwe’s top scorer with 31 off 28 balls.

— with AFP