In the PSL 2024 Final, Pak Bean Returns and Reminds Cricket Fans of World Cup Revenge

“Pak Bean,” that is, the “fake” Pakistan On March 18, Mr. Bean returned to the stands for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) championship game in Karachi between Islamabad United and Multan Sultans. When the players changed ends between overs and the innings approached its halfway point, Pakistani comedian Asif Muhammad—clad in full Mr. Bean regalia, complete with the original Rowan Atkinson’s trademark expressions and brown coat—was seen taking enthusiastic selfies with onlookers.

One user on “X” questioned, “What’s Mr. Bean doing there?” This sparked a wave of images and videos of Pak Bean taking over social media. Another user nostalgically remembered the beginnings of Pak Bean, bringing up the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup match between Zimbabwe and Pakistan, which is when the figure first became well-known.

However, how did it all start? The incident began when pictures of the squad practicing for the Zimbabwe match were posted on Pakistan Cricket’s official Twitter account.

A frustrated Zimbabwean Twitter user responded by complaining about Pakistan’s purported deceit and charging them with bringing a “fake” Mr. Bean to their nation. Zimbabweans still harbor resentment against the episode, which saw the fake Pak Bean reportedly defrauding guests at a neighborhood gathering in Harare. As Zimbabweans, we won’t forgive you, he said.You used to give us that fake bean instead of Mr. Bean Rowan. We’ll resolve this tomorrow, just hope the rain comes to your rescue.#ZIMVSPAK (italics added).

Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan in a match that would go down in cricket history as a thrilling triumph, just as tensions on the internet were rising. Even the presidents of the two countries entered the conflict, with the president of Zimbabwe demanding that the “real Mr. Bean” be sent next time. “What a victory for Zimbabwe!” To the Chevrons, congratulations. “Send the real Mr. Bean next time. #PakvsZim (sic),” tweeted President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.

Since then, the term “Pak Bean” has come to symbolize bringing humor to the cricket rivalry between Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Internet fans couldn’t resist their laughter when he made a surprise reappearance at the PSL final, and they flooded social media with remarks and jokes.