2nd T20I, Sharjah, March 26, 2023, 09:30 PM
Pakistan
130/6(20.0ov)
Afghanistan
133/3(19.5ov)
Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 7 wickets
Right then, that is all we have from this game. Afghanistan have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in this three-match series and it has been a historic series so far. Can Afghanistan whitewash Pakistan? We will find it out on Monday, 27th of March. That game will start at 9.30 pm IST (4 pm GMT). Do join us for the build-up. Cheers!
Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that it is a proud moment for them to win against Pakistan and they feel good. Says that their bowling was excellent, and they were good in the Powerplay. He says that 130 was a good total and they gave their best. Ends by saying that the strategy was always to take the game deep and win it and the guys did well.
Shadab Khan, the skipper of Pakistan says that the way they started with the bat, they got to a good score at the end. Tells that if one loses so many wickets in the Powerplay, 70 per cent of the games you will lose. Mentions that the youngsters were a bit nervous and conditions have changed as well but adds that they need to back their players. States that sometimes you don’t perform but attitude matters and the young players do have talent. Feels that these players will become great and they will play for pride in the next game.
Fazalhaq Farooqi is the Player of the Match. He speaks in his local language. He says that it is a special moment for everyone as they defeated Pakistan. Adds that he kept it simple and just aimed at the wickets. Ends by saying that Pakistan is a strong team and it is a proud moment for them to win the series.
Time for the Presentation...
Pakistan, on the other hand, tried hard with the ball but have been outplayed again by a clinical Afghanistan unit. Imad Wasim played well in the first half and took his team to a respectable total of 130 after they were under the pump with three wickets down in the Powerplay. With the ball. they did not took wickets in the middle overs but managed to keep themselves in the game with some tight overs. However, the 17-run penultimate over from Naseem Shah took the game away from them as the equation came down to Afghanistan needing just 5 from the last over. It was too much to ask from young Zaman Khan in the final over and this could well be a big learning curve for this young Pakistan unit.
Afghanistan once again were good with the ball and managed to restrict Pakistan to 130 which was just a par score on this wicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the bowlers for Afghans and rocked Pakistan in the first over with a double-wicket maiden. With the bat, Afghanistan lost Ghani in the fourth over but Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran managed to steady the ship. However, both of them lost their wickets in quick succession and the pressure was back on them with 29 needed off 16 balls when Ibrahim Zadran departed. However, that’s when the duo of Najibullah Zadran and Nabi got together and for the second time in a row, they have finished off the chase.
Afghanistan have created history here in Sharjah! They have registered their first-ever series victory against Pakistan and the Afghan crowd has gone wild. Incredible scenes here and this will mean a lot to Afghanistan cricket, it will surely give them a lot of confidence.
In over# 20
4
1
1b
1
0
Zaman Khan 22/1(3.5)
19.5
4
FOUR! Full and outside off, Najibullah Zadran looks to loft it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes aerially and lands just short of the fielder at third man who makes a diving attempt. He fails to stop it as the ball races away towards the fence. Afghanistan win by 7 wickets!
19.4
1
Full and on off, Mohammad Nabi digs it towards mid off for a single. 2 needed off 2 now!
19.3
1b
Short and outside off, Najibullah Zadran looks to pull it but misses but runs anyway. The keeper fails to hit the stumps and they collect a bye.
19.2
1
Short and on off, Mohammad Nabi pulls it to mid-wicket for one.
19.1
.
Too full, on middle, Mohammad Nabi miscues his flick towards the man at short covers.
In over# 19
6
1
2
1b
1
6
Naseem Shah 39/0(4)
18.6
6
SIX! All the way. On a length and on off, Najibullah Zadran hangs back and heaves it over cow corner as the ball sails into the stands for a maximum. Just 5 needed off the final over now!
18.5
1
Short and on off, Mohammad Nabi pulls it towards deep square leg for one.
18.4
2
A yorker, on off, Mohammad Nabi flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.
18.3
1b
On a length and down leg, Najibullah Zadran shuffles across to loft it but misses. The keeper fails to collect it as the batters cross for a bye.