Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket in the super 4 match of Asia Cup at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Nasim Shah (14 off 4 balls) hit a beautiful six in the last over and helped Pakistan to overhaul the 131 target for a win. The result reflected that there will be nil chance to India and Afghanistan to reach in the final as the men in blue had a little bit of chance before this. But India and Afghanistan will play their last super 4 match on Thursday at Dubai International Stadium.
After winning two matches consecutively in the super 4 phase, Sri Lanka qualified first for the final while Pakistan is the second team.
Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bowl first. Hazratullah Zazai (21 off 17 balls) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (17 off 11 balls) opened to bat and gave a good start to Afghanistan. Both batters stitched a 36-run partnership in 3.5 overs for the first wicket. Gurbaz was out at team’s 36. Then, top class batter Ibrahim Zadran (35 off 37 balls) came on the third number and guided Afghanistan to post 129/6 in 20 overs.
Afghanistan started good with the ball, but Pakistan chased down the target with four balls to spare in ebbs and flows way, reaching 131/9 in 19.2 overs. Medium order batter Shadab Khan(36 off 26 balls) was the highest scorer from the Pakistan side whereas Iftikhar Ahmed scored 30 runs off 33 balls.
Shadab has been named the player of the match for his crucial 36-run knock off 26 balls.
Brief Score Board:
Afghanistan- 129/6 in 20 ov
Pakistan- 131/9 in 19.2 ov (won the match by 1 wicket)
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