SHARJAH: Pakistan won a close thriller by one wicket against Afghanistan after Naseem Shah hit 2 sixers in the last over in a low scoring match in Sharjah short while ago. Chasing the target of 130 runs set by Afghanistan, Pakistan successfully reached 131 for 9 wickets in 19.2 overs. The outcome of this match means Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play in the Asia Cup 2022 finals on Sunday. India and Afghanistan are knocked out of the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan batting first struggled against the Pakistani bowlers and ended with 129 for 6 wickets off the 20 overs. Openers Zazai and Gurbaaz put together 36 runs in quick times however Haris Rauf broke the Partnership in the fourt over of the innings. Afghanistan lost quick wickets thereafter and it Ibrahim Zadran who held the innings together with 35 runs. Haris Rauf picked up 2 wickets for 26 runs while Naseem Shah was the most economical only giving away 19 runs in 4 overs and picked up the Afghan skipper Mohamed Nabi for no runs.
Chasing the modest score Pakistan got on to a bad start with Pakistani skipper Babar Azam losing his wicket for zero. Afghanistan kept things tight and by the end of 10 overs Pakistan reached 52 runs only for the loss of 3 wickets. Afghan star bowler Rashid Khan bowled viciously to keep Pakistan batsmen in check (2 for 25 runs). Afghan fielding was top notch and saved many runs in the field. Pakistan required 25 runs in the last 3 overs with 5 wickets in hand. However, Farooqui bowled fearlessly and picked up 3 wickets. Pakistan was 9 wickets down and needed 11 runs in the last over. Pakistani Naseem Shah hit 2 sixers against Farooqui to reach 131 runs for 9 wickets and march towards the Asia Cup final.
India will play against Afghanistan on Thursday at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. (RZ) Image credit : ESPN cricinfo
