Last Updated: March 27, 2023, 02:21 IST
This was Afghanistan’s first bilateral T20I collection in opposition to any of the highest six groups — India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. (Image: Afghanistan Cricket Board/Twitter)
Pakistan’s 130-6 in 20 overs was constructed round a sedate 57-ball 64 not out by all-rounder Imad Wasim — his maiden T20I half century
Afghanistan overcame late nerves within the closing overs to beat Pakistan by seven wickets within the second Twenty20 worldwide on Sunday and take an unassailable 2-0 lead within the three-game collection.
Needing 30 off the final three overs, and 22 from the final two, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi hit a six every off tempo bowler Naseem Shah within the penultimate over to scale back the goal to 5 runs.
Zadran then hit the successful boundary off Zaman Khan’s final over to chase down the 131-run goal with one ball to spare.
“It’s a fantastic honour and pleasure to guide this excellent workforce,” said Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan.
“It was a great effort with the ball, and then we took it deep and finished it.”
He added: “I believe 130 was a superb whole. We tried our greatest to take it deep and end it. Our technique was to go on the market and ensure you take accountability. We have gamers to complete it like Nabi and Najib.”
Pakistan’s 130-6 in 20 overs was built around a sedate 57-ball 64 not out by all-rounder Imad Wasim — his maiden T20I half century.
This was Afghanistan’s first bilateral T20I series against any of the top six teams — India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
They have previously won a T20I series each against the West Indies and Bangladesh and five in five against Zimbabwe.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (44 off 49 balls) and Ibrahim Zadran (38 off 40 balls) set the platform during their 56-run second wicket stand.
However, their slow batting left Afghanistan needing to score 46 off the last 30 balls.
Najibullah (23) and Nabi (14) remained unbeaten to seal the victory.
“Our motive for this series was to check out talented young players and we have to back them in the future,” mentioned Pakistan captain Shadab Khan.
Earlier, Pakistan’s restoration was led by Imad who hit two sixes and three boundaries to rescue Pakistan from 63-5 after successful the toss and batting.
Imad and Shadab (32) added 67 for the sixth wicket.
Pakistan had obtained off to a disastrous begin with left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi claiming Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, each for nought, within the first over of the innings.
Farooqi completed with 2-19 in his 4 overs.
Shafique has now been dismissed for nought on 4 successive events in 5 T20Is since making his debut in November 2020.
Mohammad Haris hit a six and two boundaries in his nine-ball 15 whereas Tayyab Tahir scored a 23-ball 13.
The stockily constructed Azam Khan, who rose to fame together with his energy hitting within the current Pakistan Super League, fell to spinner Rashid Khan, scoring only one after his nought within the first sport.
Shadab, who’s deputising for rested skipper Babar Azam, hit three boundaries in his 25-ball knock.
Imad’s earlier better of 47 had come in opposition to Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2019.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
