Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in a thrilling contest to qualify for the finals of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022. The victory also eliminated both Afghanistan and India from the multi-team tournament. The Men in Green will now face Sri Lanka in the final fixture.

Chasing a paltry target of 130, Pakistan were in a spot of bother, losing two wickets for just 18 in 3.1 overs. Before the Afghans could add more pressure, Mohammad Rizwan (20) and Iftikhar Ahmed (30) partnered to stabilize the innings.

The duo added 27 runs for the third wicket before Rashid Khan dismissed the dangerous Rizwan. Ifthikhar and Shadab Khan formed another vital partnership for Pakistan of 42 runs for the fourth wicket, which took the team’s total to 87 before Fareed Ahmed removed Iftikhar.

The twist in the tail was waiting to greet Pakistan as Afghanistan picked up four more wickets in quick succession to reduce Pakistan to 118/9 with just 7 balls left in the contest. However, Naseem Shah, the 19-year-old sensation, held his nerves and smashed two back-to-back sixes to get Pakistan home.

Earlier, Pakistan bowled brilliantly to restrict Afghanistan for just 129/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Pacer Haris Rauf picked up two wickets for 26 runs in his quota of 4 overs. All other bowlers, Naseem (1/19), Mohammad Hasnain (1/34), Mohammad Nawaz (1/23), and Shadab (1/27), all bagged one scalp each.

For Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran, with 35 from 37 deliveries featuring two fours and a six, was their top scorer. Rashid played a cameo of unbeaten 18 from 15 balls to push his team’s total near 130.

Here is how Twitter reacted:


#Twitter #reactions #Pakistan #win #nailbiting #thriller #eliminate #Afghanistan #India #Asia #Cup


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