Pakistan continued their 100% winning run in this T20 World Cup, with a nervy win over a valiant Afghanistan in the Super 12s.
Having elected to bat first and dismissing the dew factor, Afghanistan struggled for consistency at the top as Pakistan pacers reduced them to 39/4 inside the powerplay. Spinners then came to the party as Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan further dented Afghan hopes leaving them 76/6 with only 7 overs left.
However, captain Mohammad Nabi forged a game changing partnership with Gulbadin Naib, both scoring 35 runs and adding 71 runs in the process.
The Asif Ali Show
Although Mohammad Rizwan departed for just 8 runs, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman guided the chase with little worry only having to see out Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s spell carefully. Fakhar then fell to Mohammad Nabi and soon Rashid Khan had sent back Mohammad Hafeez with Pakistan 97/3.
Babar reached his 50 but then got out playing a rash shot of Rashid Khan. Fast bowler Naveen-ul-haq then bowled a brilliant 18th over in which he dismissed Shoaib Malik to turn the game on its head.
Of the last ball of that over Asif Ali refused a single holding strike for the penultimate over, which would prove to be decisive. Pakistan now needed 24 of 2 overs.
Asif Ali hit Karim Janat for a six of the first ball followed by a dot ball. Next delivery another six and after that another dot ball. Asif would then hit two thundering sixes of the last two balls to amass 24 of the over and send Pakistan fans into a frenzy and virtually book a semi final spot.
(Featured image : AP)
