KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The biggest rivalry at the 2022 International Cricket Council Men's T20 World Cup is shaping up to be between Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

The bizarre reason for the tension apart from the love of cricket?

Rowan Atkinson's beloved British sitcom character, Mr Bean.

The mind-boggling reason ultimately led to leaders of both sides trading cackle-worthy barbs on Twitter.

It all began with Pakistan posting a series of pictures of players preparing for the game against Zimbabwe on Thursday.

A Zimbabwe supporter had replied to the post by saying they would "never forgive" Pakistan for sending a “fake" Mr Bean to Zimbabwe.

“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...#ZIMVSPAK,” he wrote.

Many were left wondering what Mr Bean had to do with anything.

Pressed for more information, the fan shared images of a man named Asif Muhammad from Pakistan, who reportedly travelled to Zimbabwe for a comedy show at the Harare International Conference Centre in 2016 that was eventually a complete flop.

The Pakistani Mr Bean impersonator even appears to have a police escort, with 'fans' seeming oblivious to the fact that he was not the real deal.

While the humorous reference was worth a giggle, things took a turn when Zimbabwe then went on to beat Pakistan on Thursday by just one run.

Zimbabwe fans took to Twitter to celebrate the win with the meme.

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa even got in on the act, celebrating the win on Twitter yesterday by telling Pakistan to “Next time, send the real Mr Bean.”

In response, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif quoted the tweet and said while they may not have the real Mr. Bean, the had the real cricketing spirit.