Afghanistan 133 for 3 (Gurbaz 44, Ibrahim Zadran 38, Zaman 1-22) beat Pakistan 130 for six (Imad 64*, Shadab 32, Farooqi 2-19) by seven wickets
But, as soon as extra, Nabi was there for Afghanistan. A smeared six over midwicket off the primary ball of Naseem’s ultimate over handed the benefit to his aspect, earlier than Najibullah bookended that over with one other large six over long-on. Zaman Khan did his greatest to maintain Afghanistan sincere in his try and defend 5, however that was a bridge too far, even for him. A slash to deep third, a failed try at a catch, and a ball that burst via to the boundary, and victory was full. Afghanistan have by no means had something given to them straightforward, however what they’ve simply gone out and earned will style the sweetest of all.
Farooqi’s first-over magic
Afghanistan shot out Pakistan’s prime order on Friday thanks largely to Fazalhaq Farooqi. The Afghan quick bowler repeated the dose in a sensational first over in the present day, sending down a double-wicket maiden to start proceedings. Moments after Pakistan had opted to bat first as soon as extra, it took two balls for Saim Ayub to slice one to the keeper, Gurbaz taking a shocking catch low to his left. Farooqi piled on the distress on Abdullah Shafique subsequent ball, an inswinging fuller supply condemning him to his fourth-successive T20I duck. Mohammad Haris was good for just a few breezy boundaries, however actually, it was all Afghanistan, with the opener nicking off to Gurbaz for a 9-ball 15.
Imad, Shadab strike again
When Pakistan misplaced half their aspect for 63, getting to a few figures regarded a problem. But Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim discovered a technique to maintain off a surging Afghanistan bowling assault, first by consolidating, after which by attacking. Rashid Khan’s spell was seen off; the primary 5 overs of the stand noticed no boundaries scored in any respect. But having taken the sting out of the assault, the duo started to slowly flip the tables. A six from Imad was the catalyst for a counter-attack; it introduced up a 45-ball half-century earlier than Shadab joined in. The ultimate 4 overs noticed 42 runs scored, and Pakistan had a complete they may have a go at defending.
Pakistan’s barren squeeze
Gurbaz struck a wonderful six off Naseem in an costly first over, however that over apart, Pakistan have been smothering each him and his aspect within the chase. The runs got here in singles relatively than boundaries, and no matter rare 4 the hosts managed to grab dried up fully after the Powerplay ended. Gurbaz struggled to search out any fluency on a sluggish floor, and a scratchy innings from Ibrahim on the different finish did not ease their required-rate woes, both. It was a barren squeeze as Pakistan managed simply the one wicket in 15 overs, however by now, the run fee had slipped beneath a run-a-ball. Just one boundary had been scored within the earlier 9 overs, and it confirmed in the way in which Gurbaz perished.
Getting determined in his quest for a boundary, he arrange for a change hit, however solely dragged a mistimed hoick to quick third. He set off for a single, solely to be turned again, however Naseem’s direct hit gave him no probability. Gurbaz fumed as he walked off, and Afghanistan’s probabilities regarded to go up in smoke. But crucially, Afghanistan had not thrown away wickets whereas Pakistan’s bowlers have been on prime, and that mattered in the long run.
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com
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