It is not common for a cricketer from a Full Member nation to make a professional debut in any format at the international cricket. However, after being completely outplayed in the first two T20Is of the three-match series, Zimbabwe gave out a T20I (and T20) cap to Maposa.

Now only 21, Maposa had made his first-class debut in February 2023 and his List A debut exactly a month ago, but – as mentioned – had never played the shortest format. Known more for his seam bowling (he took 5-61 and 2-41 for the Tuskers against the Mountaineers earlier this year), he has nevertheless hit four fours and two sixes to score 39 off the 28 balls he has faced across three innings in List A cricket.

Twice in the series had Zimbabwe imploded in spectacular fashion. In the first T20I, they seemed in control at 77-2 in the ninth over in pursuit of 166. They folded for 108. They fared worse in the second T20I, despite being 37-0 after 4.3 overs. They lost all 10 wickets for 20 runs – the worst 10-wicket collapse in the format – to be bowled out for 57, their lowest ever total.

There was a feeling of deja vu in the dead-rubber third T20I as well. After Pakistan made 132-7, Zimbabwe were cruising at 40-1 and then 73-2 before they plunged to 94-5. The sixth wicket added 18, but they lost another wicket, and were left to chase 13 in seven balls.

At this point Maposa walked out to face his first ball in international cricket. Earlier in the day, he had Tayyab Tahir caught-behind, but had given away 12 in his only over. Now he inside-edged the ball from Abbas Afridi and managed to keep the strike.

Jahandad Khan, playing in his fourth T20I, bowled the last over. Maposa charged and edged, and the ball sped past wicketkeeper Usman Khan to the fence. Jahandad improvised by taking the pace off the ball, but Maposa connected his swing, and the ball soared over mid-wicket for six.

Zimbabwe needed to score only two in four balls. Maposa played the next ball back to Jahandad and, in his keenness to level the scores, set off – but Jahandad missed the stumps. Jahandad had Tashinga Musekiwa caught the next ball.

Richard Ngarava hit the next ball straight back to hit the wicket at the non-striker’s end. As the ball deflected off the stumps, the two batters scampered for the single that got Zimbabwe their third T20I win against Pakistan. Pakistan had won the first 18 matches between the sides, but the equation reads 3-3 since then.

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