The Zimbabwean President’s “Mr. Bean” jibe drew an angry response from Pakistan’s Prime Minister after Babar Azam’s team lost a T20 World Cup match.
Before the T20 World Cup Super 12 Group 2 match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, those who dismissed the “Mr. Bean” controversy were in for a rude awakening when the Craig Ervine-led team shocked Babar Azam’s team by one run on Thursday at the Optus Stadium in Perth, eliciting responses from the President of Zimbabwe and the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The president of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, initially mocked Pakistan by saying, “Next time, send the real Mr. Bean,” to which Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, immediately responded, “have a propensity of bouncing back.”
“While Pakistanis have an odd propensity for returning, we don’t have the real Mr. Bean, but we do have real cricketing devotion. I appreciate it, Mr. President. Your team performed a fantastic job today, The handclap emoji was used in the Pakistani Prime Minister’s writing.
Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, congratulated the cricket team on their win over Pakistan on Thursday, but his allusion to Mr. Bean raised some eyebrows. What great news for Zimbabwe! Congratulations, Chevrons. Next time “He composed,” send the real Mr. Bean.
Asif Muhammad, a Pakistani comedian who is Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean, was made fun of by President Emmerson. Asif traveled to Zimbabwe in 2016 while posing as Mr. Bean. Before their match against Zimbabwe, the Pakistan Cricket Board posted a photo of the team’s players practicing on their official Twitter account. Zimbabweans won’t forgive you since you once gave us the Fraud Pak Bean rather than Mr. Bean Rowan, according to a tweet from Ngugi Chasura. Just wait for the rain to save you; tomorrow we’ll settle this. #ZIMVSPAK.”
The tweet sparked a barrage of social media comments, and the Pakistan-Zimbabwe match even earned the nickname “Mr. Bean derby.”
After limiting Zimbabwe to a respectable 130-8 at Perth Stadium on Saturday, Pakistan collapsed to 129-8 in 20 overs, ending their campaign. In their first match on Sunday, Pakistan was startled by an unbelievable last-ball defeat to arch-rivals India.
Mohammed Nawaz’s tournament woes continued as he was caught for 22 by Brad Evans (2-25), who had an 11-run lead in the final over after a dismal last over against India that cost his side the match.
When Shaheen Afridi was run out on the final ball, the Zimbabwean players erupted in jubilation on the pitch.
Man-of-the-match “I genuinely, honestly believe in this bunch of youths,” Raza told the media. It was our best victory since I started playing cricket for Zimbabwe, in my opinion. There is no greater location. The World Cup is the biggest stage of them all.
