NEW: Zimbabwe in historic T20I win against Pakistan

CHEVRONS captain Craig Ervine has described their historic victory over Pakistan as a special one for Zimbabwe.

“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 Ervine.

A player-of-the-match performance by Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza ensured that the Chevrons continued with their fine run at the ICC T20 World Cup, as they eked out a one-run victory over Pakistan in their second Super 12 fixture in Perth, Australia.

That victory left the Chevrons and their skipper purring.

Ervine heaped praise on his bowling attack for restricting Pakistan to 129 runs in 20 overs.
“We wanted to come in and play some really good cricket against some top teams, and I thought we did that exceptionally well today.

“I thought after our batting performance that we were maybe 20 or 25 short.

“But our seamers hit their straps early on and there was just a little bit more in the wicket compared to when we started off.

“Raza came to the party as he always does and picked up a few crucial wickets in the middle there,” he added.

Chevrons coach Dave Houghton had made it known that Zimbabwe would not be in the Super 12 just to add numbers.

And the disciplined show on Thursday proved that they can claim some big scalps in this World Cup.

True to their coach’s word, the Chevrons did it in a nail-biting and thrilling fashion, as they beat a much-fancied Pakistan side.

After winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat first.

The Chevrons started off their innings on a high note, scoring 47 runs in the power play, before a collapse of the middle order.

Zimbabwe had to hold their nerves with the ball as they went on to defend a 130-run score inside 20 overs.

Their 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 Khan got the chase back on track with a 52-run fourth-wicket stand, but then came the surprises.

Raza, in the form of his life, took two wickets in two balls and another in his next over to leave Pakistan on 94 for 6.

Still, they could fancy their chances.

Pakistan needed 38 runs in the last five overs and Zimbabwe had scored 32 in theirs.

The equation was more than doable.

It still was at three required off three, but try telling Bradley Evans – playing his first game of this World Cup – the fast bowler who went on to flip the entire script. – Online Reporter/Cricinfo