Not by the Playbook - How a fake Mr Bean caused a cricketing rivalry

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Six years after a performance at an agricultural show in Zimbabwe in 2016, a Pakistani comedian’s impersonation of the fictional character Mr Bean hit the headlines. Just as Zimbabwe were about to take on Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, one Zimbabwean Twitter user predicted revenge for his country over Pakistan for sending a fake Mr Bean.

He was correct. Zimbabwe won a thrilling match by one run, prompting tweets from the President of Zimbabwe and Prime Minister of Pakistan, both referencing the impersonator. We tracked down the man at the heart of it, comedian Asif Muhammad. The only problem? As Caroline Barker attempted to find out the full story, he stayed in full character as Mr Bean.

We also speak to an Afghan refugee basketballer who has just been given resettlement in the United States of America after nine months of living in Eastern Europe. The woman, who wished to be known as 'Maryam' in order to protect her identity, along with 18 other female refugees will begin their new lives in America next month. Their acceptance into the country comes over a year on from the devastation of being turned away from Canada, after they chose to flee Taliban rule.

Elsewhere, ahead of his attempted defence of snooker's second biggest tournament, the UK Championship, we hear from Chinese star Zhao Xintong. One of his favourite hobbies is karaoke, so we managed to get him to belt out a tune for us.

Plus, we get immediate reaction from the final of the women's Rugby World Cup in Auckland, we stop by the world's first vegan rugby club, plus we cross live to the Etihad Stadium ahead of Manchester City against Brentford in the English Premier League.

Image credit: Asif Muhammad

Published on Saturday, 12th November 2022.

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