Naseem Shah’s heroics in the second ODI helped Pakistan win a last-over thriller over Afghanistan.
The Green Shirts won the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare after a thrilling one-wicket victory in the second PAK vs AFG ODI.
Naseem Shah, who led Pakistan to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the last Asia Cup with two final-over sixes, led Pakistan to another close triumph over the same opposition.
Despite half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, as well as Shadab Khan’s brave 48, the right-arm pacer stole the show with a frantic finale.
With Pakistan needing 11 runs in the last over, the tense game heated up when Fazalhaq Farooqi mankaded Shadab on his run-up to bowl the first ball.
Afghanistan started things steadily after winning the toss, as their openers dealt with Pakistan’s pace attack sensibly.
Shadab’s dismissal, who scored a crucial 35-ball 48, had Afghanistan sniffing their first-ever victory over Pakistan in ODIs but Pakistan’s tailenders Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf displayed the nerves of steel to devoid the hosts of creating history as Pakistan sealed the victory on the penultimate delivery.
Naseem Shah scored an unbeaten 10 off five deliveries, hitting two boundaries, while Haris Rauf scored three crucial runs.
Chasing 301 in the second PAK vs. AFG, Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman (30) and Imam-ul-Haq provided a solid start with a 52-run partnership before Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed the former in the ninth over.
Imam was subsequently joined at the crease by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, and the pair quickly stitched together an anchoring 118-run stand for the second wicket.
Babar appeared to have calmed down before miscuing one-off Farooqi in the 31st over, just after reaching his half-century. Babar scored 53 runs in 66 balls, including six boundaries.
With Babar out, Pakistan lost four wickets in quick succession, including their mainstay Imam, to drop to 211/6 in the 39th over.
With a measured 105-ball 91 that included four boundaries, Imam remained Pakistan’s top-scorer.
Following the dip, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan anchored the run chase with a conservative 47-run combination till the former was dismissed for 17 off 24.
Afghanistan achieved a respectable total of 300/5 after electing to bat first in the second PAK vs AFG ODI, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s long 151-run performance.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz charged at Pakistani bowlers, while Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings, much to the chagrin of Pakistani bowlers, who bowled Afghanistan out for 59 in 20 overs in the previous encounter.
Afghanistan’s openers put on a stunning 227-run opening stand, the second-highest in ODI cricket against Pakistan. During the partnership, Rahmanullah Gurbaz reached his fifth ODI century, which was broken by Usama Mir.
Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed after scoring 101 runs off 80 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes.
Meanwhile, Rahmanullah Gurbaz kept going and hit 150 runs before being caught behind off Shaheen Afridi. His 151-run innings included 14 boundaries and three sixes.
Pakistani bowlers bowled brilliantly in the late overs, limiting Afghanistan to 300 in the allotted 50 overs.
Shaheen Afridi took two wickets, while Usama Mir and Naseem Shah both provided one.
