AFG vs PAK T20I: Afghanistan Beat Pakistan Again and Win the T20I Series – In the 2nd T20I match of the Afghanistan vs Pakistan series held on March 26, 2023, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan beat Pakistan by seven wickets with just one ball remaining. Afghanistan’s victory in the match earned them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision paid off immediately as their fast bowler, Fazalhaq Farooqi, removed Pakistan’s opening batsman, Saim Ayub, with the second ball of the match.
Farooqi continued his excellent form, dismissing Abdullah Shafique on the next ball to leave Pakistan reeling at 0/2. Mohammad Haris provided some resistance, scoring a quickfire 15 off nine balls, but he too fell to Farooqi.
AFG vs PAK T20I: Afghanistan Beat Pakistan Again and Win the T20I Series | Embarrassing Loss for Pakistan:
Pakistan was reduced to 63/5 in the 11th over, but Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan staged a fightback with a 93-run partnership to take Pakistan to a defendable total of 130/6 in 20 overs.
Afghanistan’s chase did not begin well as they lost opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the second over for just eight runs. However, Ibrahim Zadran and Gurbaz put together a 54-run partnership for the second wicket to take Afghanistan to 62/1 in the ninth over. When Zadran departed for 38, Afghanistan required 69 runs off 42 balls with seven wickets in hand.
Pakistan’s bowlers put up a strong fight, restricting Afghanistan’s run-scoring and taking wickets at crucial moments. But Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi held their nerve and took Afghanistan over the finish line with a ball to spare.
Nabi’s six over midwicket off the first ball of Naseem Shah’s final over turned the tide in Afghanistan’s favor. Najibullah hit another huge six over long-on to end the over, leaving Afghanistan requiring just five runs off the final over. Afghanistan managed to score the winning run off the penultimate ball of the match to secure the series victory.
AFG vs PAK T20I: Afghanistan Beat Pakistan Again and Win the T20I Series | Embarrassing Loss for Pakistan:
Farooqi was declared the player of the match for his match-winning figures of 2/19 in four overs. His excellent bowling performance had set up Afghanistan’s victory.
Imad Wasim’s unbeaten knock of 64 off 51 balls was the standout performance for Pakistan, but it was not enough to secure a victory for his team.
Afghanistan’s victory in the match was their second successive win against Pakistan in the series, and it sealed their first-ever series victory against their arch-rivals. The win was a historic moment for Afghanistan cricket, as they continue to make their mark in international cricket.
The victory was a result of a solid team effort from Afghanistan. Their bowlers set up the win with an excellent performance, restricting Pakistan to a below-par total.
Afghanistan’s batsmen, despite losing early wickets, held their nerve and staged a successful chase. Najibullah and Nabi’s partnership was the key to their victory, as they took Afghanistan over the finish line in a tense finish.
AFG vs PAK T20I: Afghanistan Beat Pakistan Again and Win the T20I Series | Embarrassing Loss for Pakistan:
Pakistan, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance. They put up a fighting total, but their bowlers were not able to defend it.
Pakistan’s batsmen failed to build partnerships, and it cost them dearly in the end. They will have to regroup and come back stronger in the final match of the series to avoid a whitewash.
In conclusion, Afghanistan’s victory over Pakistan in the 2nd T20I was a historic moment for Afghan cricket. It was a result of a solid team effort, with every player contributing to the team’s cause.
The series has been a closely contested affair so far, with Afghanistan winning both the matches and sealing the series victory. However, Pakistan will be eager to register a win in the final match and avoid a whitewash.
