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Spirited Zimbabwe pull off stunning win against Pakistan

Published

2 years ago

October 27, 2022

PERTH – Zimbabwe produced one of the all-time World Cup upsets with a brilliant performance in Perth to beat Pakistan by one run in a match that went down to the very last delivery on Thursday.

Pakistan needed 11 to win off the final over of a pulsating evening, and that equation came down to three from three with the well-set Mohammad Nawaz at the crease.

But 25-year-old Brad Evans produced three stunning deliveries right when it mattered.

First, he fizzed through a pacy bouncer that Nawaz failed to connect with.

And a miscue off the penultimate ball had Nawaz caught at mid-off by captain Craig Ervine, a wicket that saw both batters sink to their knees, with heartbreak again for Nawaz in the second successive match.

Shaheen Shah Afridi punted the final ball down the ground, tearing back in a desperate attempt for a second run to tie the match.

Wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva fumbled the throw at first, but recovered to whip off the bails with Afridi still short of his ground, sparking jubilant scenes among the Zimbabwe players and supporters.

Pakistan’s flawed reply

Pakistan had made a measured start to the chase of 131 to win, but two huge Powerplay wickets gave Zimbabwe a sniff as the big-name opening pair both went cheaply.

Babar Azam was squared up by a lovely piece of bowling from Brad Evans to be sent back for just four runs off nine balls.

And the outstanding Blessing Muzarabani cleaned up Mohammad Rizwan via an inside edge for 14 (16).

After Iftikhar Ahmed was also removed cheaply, Pakistan seemingly got the match under control with a solid partnership between Shan Masood and Shadab Khan to reach 88/3 with six and a half overs still remaining.

But the inspired Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza took two wickets in two balls to remove Shadab and Haider Ali, before having Masood stumped in his very next over to give Zimbabwe hope and set up a big finish.

Zimbabwe’s flying start

After opting to bat first, Zimbabwe got off to a flier as a daring Wessley Madhevere and skipper Craig Ervine played some eye-catching shots inside the first two overs.

With five boundaries inside the first three overs, Zimbabwe had a fabulous start, racing away at 10 runs per over.

Some of that early momentum toned down when Ervine was sent back by Haris Rauf and his partner got trapped in front by Wasim in the following over.

Shadab Khan prized out Milton Shumba before Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza went about the resurrection work.

Things turned south pretty quickly when Shadab sent back Williams and Chakabva off successive deliveries, the latter dismissed off a spectacular grab at first slip by Babar Azam.

Shadab completed a brilliant spell of 4-0-23-3 but there was more in store for Zimbabwe from the other end.

In the very next over after losing two wickets off back-to-back balls to Shadab, Zimbabwe lost a further two as Mohammad Wasim dismissed Raza and Luke Jongwe off successive balls.

95/3, and what appeared to be a solid start, quickly turned into 95/7 as Pakistan’s bowlers went on a rampage in Perth.

Eventually, they put up 130/8 on board with some help from Brad Evans down the order.

It seemed unlikely to be enough, but a superb bowling display from Zimbabwe ensured otherwise. – ICC

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Tsholotsho burglar lands six-month jail term

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY COURT REPORTER

A Tsholotsho man’s life of crime came crashing down when he was sentenced to six months in prison for burglary.

Mengesi Sibanda, 26, from Susumani line, was convicted of stealing ZAR1600 in cash from a complainant’s bedroom on January 9.

The court heard that Sibanda had unlocked the complainant’s bedroom door and made off with the cash. He then gave ZAR1500 to his accomplice, Zikhiye Ncube, who transported the stolen money to South Africa and handed it over to Sibanda’s wife.

Meanwhile, Sibanda blew ZAR100 of the stolen cash on beer at local outlets.

In passing sentence, the Tsholotsho Magistrates’ Court condemned Sibanda’s actions, saying he had shown no remorse for his crime.

Sibanda was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended on condition of restitution. He will serve an effective six months behind bars.

Lupane

Lupane man jailed for 12 months over domestic violence

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Lupane man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for physically abusing his wife on two separate occasions.

The incidents occurred on December 27, 2024, and January 2 this year, with the accused assaulting his wife with open hands, fists, and a whip, causing injuries to her face and body.

The court heard that the first incident was sparked by a domestic dispute over the complainant’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve.

The accused became violent, assaulting his wife, who managed to escape and seek refuge at her aunt’s homestead.

In a shocking turn of events, the accused visited his wife at her aunt’s homestead, seeking forgiveness, and she agreed to return home with him.

However, upon their arrival, the accused again accused his wife of infidelity and assaulted her multiple times with a whip.

The court sentenced the accused to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended on condition of good behavior.

In Zimbabwe, domestic violence is a serious crime, and perpetrators can face up to 10 years in prison under the Domestic Violence Act [Chapter 5:16]. The court’s decision in this case sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.

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Prof. Gandiwa appointed new ZimParks director general

Published

1 day ago

January 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has announced the appointment of Professor Edson Gandiwa as its new Director General, effective immediately.

According to a statement released by ZimParks, Prof. Gandiwa brings over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation and higher education to the role. Previously, he served as Director of Scientific Services at ZimParks from 2021 to 2025.

Prof. Gandiwa’s impressive academic credentials include a PhD in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, as well as a Master’s degree in Tropical Resource Ecology from the University of Zimbabwe.

A renowned expert in his field, Prof. Gandiwa has authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications and currently chairs the African Elephant Fund Steering Committee under the United Nations Environment Programme.

His appointment follows the departure of Dr. Fulton Mangwanya, who has taken up a new role as Director General in the President’s department.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo welcomed Prof. Gandiwa’s appointment, saying his expertise would be invaluable in driving the organization’s conservation efforts forward.