Mr. Bean strikes T20 World Cup!

Zimbabwe put on an outstanding performance to defeat Pakistan by one run on Thursday in the T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe's bowlers delivered an outstanding performance despite being limited to a meagre score of 130/8 to ensure a thrilling victory for the team in Perth. 

While there are loads of praises for Zimbabwe for their incredible performance, some are calling it a “Mr Bean revenge".

Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the president of Zimbabwe, congratulated the Zimbabwe cricket team after the team's exciting triumph over Asian Giants Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Mnangagwa tweeted, “"What a win for Zimbabwe! Congratulations to the Chevrons. Next time, send the real Mr Bean...#PakvsZim".

Even before the match, Zimbabwe fans were slamming Pakistan and asking for “revenge" for a certain “fake" Mr Bean. “As Zimbabweans we wont forgive you...you once gave us that Fraud Pak Bean instead of Mr Bean Rowan ..we will settle the matter tommorow just pray the rains will save you (sic)," wrote one fan before the match.

So What's this controversy?

The issue dates back to 2016, when Pakistani comedian Asif Muhammad, known as Mr Pak Bean, performed a comedy routine in Harare impersonating British actor Rowan Atkinson’s iconic character Mr Bean.

The Zimbabwean, who uses the name Ngugi Chasura on Twitter, explained: “They gave us Pak Bean instead of Mr Bean on one of our local events called agriculture show”, adding: “We felt embarrassed in front of our families”.

Pak Bean was even given a police escort ahead of the event at the Harare International Conference Centre, which reportedly cost fans $10 apiece – but was a complete flop.

The drama quickly went viral, leading to the match between the two nations being described as the “Mr Bean Derby”.

In a stunning boilover, Zimbabwe beat the World Cup contenders by one run – and social media was abuzz with references to the country gaining revenge for the Mr Bean fraud.

Even Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa got in on the act, tweeting: “Next time, send the real Mr Bean”