Zimbabwe stun winless Pakistan in last-ball thriller

Zimbabwe produced the second T20 World Cup upset in as many days with a thrilling one-run win over Pakistan in Perth subjecting their opponents to a second straight last-ball defeat and leaving their hopes of reaching the semi-finals hanging by a thread.

After Ireland shocked England at the MCG on Wednesday to blow Group 1 wide open, Zimbabwe beat Pakistan on Thursday to severely dent the 2009 champions’ hopes of progressing from Group 2.

Pakistan, who suffered an agonising last-ball loss to India on Sunday, may miss out on the knockout stages even if they win their final three matches against Netherlands, South Africa and Bangladesh.

Chasing 131 for victory at Optus Stadium, Pakistan slumped to 36-3 inside eight overs and then 94-6 in the 16th, only for Mohammad Nawaz (22 off 18) – whose error-strewn, nine-ball final over had cost his side in Sunday’s MCG classic – and Mohammad Wasim (12no of 13) to cut the requirement to four from four balls.

However, Nawaz was then caught at mid-off with three needed from two balls before Shaheen Afridi was run out off the last trying to complete a two that would have taken the game to a Super Over.