This is the new Pakistan, one that dares, one that dreams, one that never gives up on chasing the dream.
Babar Azam’s team recorded their third win of the T20 World Cup in breathtaking fashion as they muscled past a spirited Afghanistan in Dubai on Friday. The five-wicket win was a statement of how mature this current Pakistan team is. They were under huge pressure as the Afghans threatened to pull off a stunning win, but Asif Ali, coming in at No. 6, looked ice cool while slamming six after six as Pakistan wrapped up the game with a full over to spare.
After scoring 147/6, the Afghanistan spinners did a splendid job in tying up the Pakistan batters.
Pakistan lost Mohammad Rizwan early and could only score 38/1 in the Powerplay overs. Pakistan failed to accelerate considerably thereafter but at the same time also ensured that they did not lose too many wickets.
Captain Babar (51) was once again effective with the bat as he anchored the chase.
After 15 overs, Pakistan needed 47 from 30 balls to win. Courtesy a few meaty blows from the veteran Shoaib Malik, the equation came down to 26 runs needed off the last 18 balls.
But the Afghans then spectacularly changed the situation in their favour as seamer Naveen-ul Haq bowled a brilliant 18th over, giving away just 2 runs while also scalping the crucial wicket of Malik.
However, Asif decided it was his night. The right-handed batsman hit four sixes in the 19th over, bowled by seamer Karim Janat, to break Afghan hearts.
Adjudged Player of the Match, Asif said: “Thank God we pulled it off. I look at the situation and what it demands and which bowler has overs remaining, and the field setting. I told Shoaib (Malik) that Naveen was bowling well, and from this end I could even score 25 in an over. So I planned for it.”
Earlier, skipper Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib’s unbeaten knocks in a splendid rearguard action steered Afghanistan to a competitive total, after they were gasping at 76/6 in the 13th over.
Nabi (35) and Naib (35) seized the momentum with their big-hearted effort under pressure and prevented it from becoming a one-sided contest.
They added 71 runs in 7.1 overs with 43 coming in the last three overs.
For Pakistan, Imad Wasim got two wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan all bagged a wicket apiece.
