Mostly, the root of storied rivalries is rooted in the social and historical conditions of the teams than the actual sport itself. It is the conflicting relationship between India and Pakistan that makes the game between them such an intense affair. But Pakistan, it seems, to have found a new and unexpected rival, and they are coming for them. They are Zimbabwe.  

It all started when a person named Ngugi Chasura accused Pakistan of sending a ‘Fake Mr. Bean’ to an agriculture show. Expecting Rowan Atkinson to grace the occasion, Chasura paid $10 dollar to attend the event, but was greeted by a Mr. Bean imitator from Pakistan. 

“As Zimbabweans we wont forgive you…you once gave us that Fraud Pak Bean instead of Mr. Bean Rowan ..we will settle the matter tomorrow just pray the rains will save you…#ZIMVSPAK,” replied the user on a post from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

When quizzed about Pakistani Mr. Bean, he also tweeted a picture from the event. This is the fuck called Pak Bean who imitates Mr. Bean stealing people’s money,” he added.

The screenshot of his tweets has gone viral on the internet. One user wrote, “Tomorrows game between Pakistan and Zimbabwe has turned into a war of words, Zimbabwe aren’t happy that Pakistan didn’t send them the real Mr. Bean for a business venture, they sent this chap below. Pakistan have great impersonators, currently have a clown pretending to be a PM.” 

Another wrote, “deeply condemn the Pakistani mr bean controversy with Zimbabwe. expecting an immediate apology & a thorough explanation from our foreign office in this regard. we can not afford new cricket rivalries.” 

The Fake Mr. Bean is Asif Muhammad, a Pakistani impersonator of this iconic character played by Rowan Atkinson. He is also seen in a few advertisements. 

The tweet has piqued up interest in Pakistan vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup clash, set to be played at Perth Stadium on 27 October. Having lost the first game against India, Pakistan knows that this going to be a must-win game for them, as losing points here will put their campaign in jeopardy. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be hoping for a full contest, after they were saved by the rains in their first game. 

Lead Image: PCB/Twitter