Cricket
Pakistan defeated Afghanistan with just three balls to spare in a nail-biting Asia Cup encounter on Friday.
Updated : Sep 22, 2018, 01:39 AM IST
Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in an absolute nail-biter in the 2018 Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The Super Fours encounter went right down to the wire, with the experienced Shoaib Malik hitting the winning runs in the last over.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first in humid conditions at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. They managed to score 257/6 in 50 overs thanks to Hashmatullah Shahidi's unbeaten 97 and skipper Asghar Afghan's 67. Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with three wickets for 57 runs.
In reply, Pakistan looked on course for the most part before Afghanistan pulled things back. At the start, Fakhar Zaman fell for another duck, but the innings was resurrected due to Imam-ul-Haq's 80 and Babar Azam's 66.
Rashid Khan, the brightest young talent in world cricket, brought Afghanistan back in the game by picking three wickets. It looked like Pakistan wouldn't be able to get over the line but Malik had other plans. The veteran right-hander dug deep to remain unbeaten on 51 and take his team home with three balls to spare.
Twitter was full of praise for the valiant effort by the Afghan team.
Well Played Afghanistan. Came So Close Till The End. Your Never Say Die Approach Won Our Hearts. Better Luck Next Time. #AFGvsPAK #PAKvAFG #PAKvsAFG #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/0T0V6Ifj1Z
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) September 21, 2018
Dear Afghanistan , do not get disappointed, you were the real winners ! You played like a champions . The future is in great hands ! Hats off . #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/IkNhSFtOin
— Zoya Malik PTI (@ZoyaMalikPTI) September 21, 2018
Pakistan win a thriller in Abu Dhabi!
— ICC (@ICC) September 21, 2018
Afghanistan are denied a maiden victory against their neighbours as Shoaib Malik takes Pakistan home with 3 balls remaining to win by 3 wickets! What a game! #PAKvAFG scorecard https://t.co/Sa2zeTsbZ4#AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/DOP6NjEjq4
Well played, Pakistan. Well fought, Afghanistan....finally a thriller in #AsiaCup #PakvAfg
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2018
Pakistan will next face India in another blockbuster encounter in Dubai on Sunday.