Afghanistan had by no means defeated Pakistan in a T20I match earlier than the three-match sequence which acquired underway in Sharjah final week. (*66*) Khan’s aspect managed to create historical past by not solely profitable back-to-back T20I matches towards former T20 World Champions Pakistan but in addition annexe the three-match sequence.
Heading into the third sport on Monday (March 27), Afghanistan had the chance to whitewash Pakistan in a T20I sequence for the primary time of their cricketing historical past. But Pakistan, who’ve rested 5 frontline gamers after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023, defeated Afghanistan within the remaining sport by 66 runs to regain a semblance of pleasure.
Pakistan lastly got here good to publish a difficult 182-7 then bowled out Afghanistan for 116 with 8 balls remaining. Pakistan interim captain Shadab Khan and younger quick bowler Ihsanullah shared six wickets. Shadab, with 3-13, grew to become the primary Pakistan males’s participant to achieve 100 wickets in T20s. Ihsanullah acquired 3-29 along with his pacey short-pitched deliveries.
Shadab supplied a late flourish with the bat by smashing a 17-ball 28 after Saim Ayub missed out on his maiden T20 half-century by one run. Defeat within the useless rubber could not spoil Afghanistan’s history-making effort in profitable its first match and sequence 2-1 towards Pakistan in any format.
“It’s a special occasion to be part of this team,” Afghanistan captain (*66*) Khan stated. “We won the series, but we have some areas to improve on. We responded well under pressure. We have struggled under pressure in the past but I’m happy that we chased in a couple of games.”
Najibullah Zadran retired damage off the primary ball he confronted after he was struck on the grille by Ihsanullah. Concussion substitute Azmatullah Omarzai made 21 earlier than he was the final man to be dismissed. Pakistan made solely 92-9 and 130-6 within the first two T20s however tailored nicely to the situations.
Exchanges between the edges following the completion of the T20I sequence in Sharjah ____#SpiritOfCricket | #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/nfzFCeMOLW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 27, 2023
Left-hander Saim batted fluently towards the tempo and spin of (*66*) Khan, hitting two sixes and 4 boundaries, whereas Abdullah Shafique made 23 off 13 balls and eventually broke his drought after failing to attain in his earlier 4 T20s. Iftikhar Ahmed, taking part in his first match within the sequence, made 31 off 25 balls and along with Shadab accelerated nicely within the demise overs to assist Pakistan tally its finest whole of the sequence.
“We wanted to finish on a high note and we have done that,” Shadab stated. “We needed to play for Pakistan’s pride and we did it. The main motive of this series was to give the youngsters a chance. Hopefully, they will get confidence from these matches and it will help them in the long run.”
Afghanistan struggled to get any momentum within the chase, and misplaced its final seven wickets for 45 runs.
(with PTI inputs)
