Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup Live Score: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam Keep Pakistan's Run Chase Alive

Riding on a terrific unbeaten 97-run knock from Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan managed a total of 257 for the loss of 6 wickets in their Super Four match against Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Shahidi, along with Rahmat Shah (36) and skipper Asghar Afghan (67) stitched crucial partnerships in the middle overs, helping Afghanistan post a decent total against a lethal Pakistan bowling attack. After winning the toss, Afghanistan skipper Asghar opted to bat first but the decision went terribly wrong for the team. Afghanistan got off to a poor start, losing both openers Ihsanullah (10) and Mohammad Shahzad (20) with just 31 runs on the board. Post the departure of the openers, Shahidi batted brilliantly in the middle order. Shahidi, first stitched a crucial 63-run partnership with Rahmat Shah and then batted beautifully alongside skipper Asghar managing a 94-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Towards the end, Shahidi displayed superb stroke-play taking his team past the 250-run mark. For Pakistan, it was a poor day in the field as they dropped four catches while bowling. Mohammad Nawaz was the most successful bowler for Pakistan, who grabbed three wickets. Shaheen Afridi bagged two wickets in his debut game for the team. In another Super Four clash, India are playing against Bangladesh. (LIVE SCORECARD)

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Pakistan face Afghanistan in their Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2018 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Pakistan had won their opening match against Hong Kong by 8 wickets but lost their second match to India by 8 wickets. Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka in their opening clash by 91 runs. In the other Super Four clash, India take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Pakistan will look to banish memories of their previous group game match loss to India while Afghanistan will try to continue punching above their weight in the ongoing tournament.

Live Updates Between Pakistan vs Afghanistan, 2018 Asia Cup ODI straight from Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

23:48 IST: Bowling change for Afghanistan straight after drinks break! Rashid Khan comes in to replace Mujeeb ur Rehman.

23:45 IST: Four and 150 comes up for Pakistan! Both Imam-ul-Haq (80) and Babar Azam (63) are batting superbly at the moment for Pakistan. Imam slams the last ball of Mohammad Nabi's over in the deep mid wicket region to collect four runs. PAK 153-1 after 33 overs. Require another 105 runs to win with nine wickets remaining. 

23:35 IST: 30 overs are up! Pakistan have 140 runs on the board for the loss of one wicket. Both Imam-ul-Haq (70) and Babar Azam (60) are chasing down the total with ease at the moment. Pakistan require another 118 runs to win from 120 balls with nine wickets remaining. 

23:30 IST: Bowling change for Afghanistan! Gulbadin Naib comes in to replace Mohammad Nabi. 

23:23 IST: 50 up for Babar Azam! Reaches his eighth half-century with a single on the on-side. Terrific knock this has been from the 23-year-old. Pakistan doing it pretty easily at the moment PAK 113-1 after 27.3 overs.

comes up for @babarazam258
Live Updates: https://t.co/ilhItsGdzX #PAKvAFG #AsiaCup2018 #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/x9dfMyc1Lg

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

23:11 IST: 50 up for Imam-ul-Haq! What a knock this has been from the youngster. Gets to his second fifty of the tournament with a couple off Rashid Khan on the leg side. PAK 102-1 after 24.3 overs.

Second fifty in #AsiaCup2018 for @ImamUlHaq12
Live Updates: https://t.co/ilhItsGdzX #PAKvAFG #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/h6gjMCjNZJ

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

23:06 IST: 100 up for Pakistan! Imam gets as thick outside edge off Gulbadin Naib. The ball runs down to the third man and Imam collects a single. 100-run partnership also comes up between Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam. PAK 100-1 after 23.5 overs. 

22:57 IST: FOUR! Babar Azam deliberately hits the ball to the right of wicket-keeper and collects four runs. The ball beats the third man fielder and reaches the fence in no time. Gulbadin Naib is disappointed with the effort from the wicket-keeper. PAK 88-1 after 21.2 overs.

22:55 IST: Tight start from Rashid Khan. Just two runs from his first over. Almost got the edge of Imam on his second last ball delivery of the over. PAK 82-1 after 21 overs.

22:52 IST: Bowling change for Afghanistan! Rashid Khan comes in to replace Mohammad Nabi. 

22:51 IST: 20 overs are up and Pakistan have 80 runs on the board for the loss of one wicket. They require another 178 runs to win wit nine wickets remaining. Both Imam-ul-Haq (42) and Babar Azam (32) are playing beautifully at the moment. 

22:44 IST: Aftab Alam's first over after the drinks break comes to an end. Five runs from it. Pakistan are now getting singles easily. Afghanistan are looking defensive at the moment. They desperately need a breakthrough now. PAK 72-1 after 18 overs.

22:35 IST: Drinks break - Pakistan 67-1 after 17 overs. Require another 191 runs to win with nine wickets remaining.

22:27 IST: SIX! First one for Babar Azam and Pakistan in the match. Slams Mohammad Nabi straight down the ground to collect six runs. Beautiful timing on that one from Babar. PAK 56-1 after 14.5 overs.

22:26 IST: 50 comes up for Pakistan! Imam pushes the ball straight down the ground and collects a single off Mohammed Nabi. 

22:21 IST: Another tight over from Mohammad Nabi comes to n end. Just three singles from it. Boundaries have dried up for Pakistan. Both Imam and Babar are looking to rotate the strike at the moment. PAK 44-1 after 13 overs. 

22:11 IST: 10 overs are up and Pakistan have 36 runs on the board for the loss of one wicket. Babar Azam is batting on 9 alongside Imamul-Haq on 23 runs. Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack. 

22:06 IST: Bowling change for Afghanistan! Gulbadin Naib comes in to replace Aftab Alam.

22:02 IST: FOUR! Babar Azam collects his first boundary of the match. Short of length delivery from Aftab Alam, Babar stands tall and dispatches the ball through mid wicket to collect four runs. PAK 33-1 after 7.5 overs. 

21:50 IST: 5 overs are up and Pakistan have 24 runs on the board for the loss of one wicket. 

21:41 IST: Maiden over from Mujeeb. What a terrific display of spin bowling from the youngster. Pakistan batsmen are finding it difficult against Mujeeb at the moment. PAK 12-1 after 3 overs. 

21:38 IST: Review from Afghanistan! Original decision is not out. And the decision stays. Replay clearly shows that the impact was outside the line of the off stump. Mujeeb is disappointed but it has been a brilliant start from him. PAK 12-1 after 2.1 overs. 

21:36 IST: FOUR! Another boundary for Imam-ul-Haq. Pulls Aftab Alam yet again in style. Beautiful timing from the left-hander. PAK 11-1 after 1.5 overs. 

21:31 IST: Four and Pakistan are off the mark in their run chase. Imam-ul-Haq pulls Aftab Alam with ease to collect his first boundary of the match. PAK 4-1 after 1.1 overs. 

21:29 IST: OUT! Great start from Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Dangerous Fakhar Zaman departs for a duck. Pakistan loose their first wicket with 0 runs on the board. Traps Fakhar right in front of the stumps. Wicket-maiden for Mujeeb. PAK 0-1 after 1 over. 

WICKET!! @Mujeeb_R88 takes the important wicket of @FakharZamanLive in his first over.
PAK: 0/1#AFGvPAK #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/a19gN0afLa

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 21, 2018

21:27 IST: Openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq are at the centre to start the run chase for Pakistan. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will start the proceedings for Afghanistan.

Innings Break - Afghanistan score 257 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 50 overs.

After a steady start, Hashmatullah Shahidi's 97* and 67 from captain Asghar Afghan powers Afghanistan to 257/6. Will their spinners be able to hold off Pakistan's formidable top order?#PAKvAFG LIVE https://t.co/Sa2zeTsbZ4#AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/rOboNKH6AP

— ICC (@ICC) September 21, 2018

20:57 IST: Hashmatullah Shahidi misses out on a ton, remains unbeaten on 97 runs. 

20:53 IST: FOUR! FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Hashmatullah Shahidi. He is timing the ball brilliantly. Can he get to his maiden hundred? He is batting on 92 runs. 250 also comes up for Afghanistan. AFG 251-6 after 49.2 overs

20:48 IST: This is poor cricket from Pakistan. Hasan Ali finally manages to dismiss Hashmatullah Shahidi but gets him out on a no ball. Umpire calls Shahidi back. Shahidi survives. Free hit as well for Afghanistan. AFG 236-6 after 48.3 overs

20:45 IST: FOUR! Hashmatullah Shahidi adding some crucial runs for the team. Cuts Usman Khan and gets a boundary for his team. He has now moved on to 76. AFG 230-6 after 47.5 overs.

20:38 IST: FOUR! Shahidi gets four runs with a cheeky shot shot behind the stumps. Scoops Hasan Ali towards the fine-leg boundary to collect four runs. AFG 218-6 after 46.4 overs.

20:35 IST: OUT! Hasan Ali gets his first wicket of the match. Najibullah goes for a wild hoick on the on-side but misses the ball completely. The ball crashes on to the stumps. AFG 212-6 after 46.2 overs.

20:34 IST: Four more over to go. How many more runs can Afghanistan add to their total? AFG 211-5 after 46 overs.

20:24 IST: OUT! Short innings from Mohammad Nabi (7) comes to an end. Trying to up the scoring rate, Nabi goes aerial once again but this time finds a fielder at deep mid-wicket. Hasan Ali takes a simple catch. Shaheen Afridi gets his second wicket of the match. AFG 200-5 after 44 overs.

20:22 IST: FOUR! Mohammad Nabi gets his first boundary of the match. Goes aerial and hits Shaheen Afridi over extra cover to collect four runs. AFG 196-4 after 43.3 overs.

20:19 IST: Dropped! Another chance goes down and Shaheen Afridi is the culprit this time at short fine-leg. Shahidi goes for a reverse sweep and hits the ball straight into the hands of Shaheen. He fails to hold on to a simple catch. Mohammed Nazwaz is furious. It has been a really sloppy ay for Pakistan in the field. AFG 190-4 after 42.3 overs.

20:16 IST: OUT! Once again trying to go over the mid-wicket fence, Asghar goes for a wild hoick, misses and the ball crashes on to the stumps. Shaheen Afridi gets his first wicket in ODI cricket for Pakistan. Asghar walks back after scoring a brilliant 67-run knock. AFG 188-4 after 42 overs.

20:13 IST: SIX! Thats huge from Asghar! This time its Shaheen Afridi who gets whacked out of the ground. Terrific shot from Afghanistan skipper. AFG 186-3 after 41.4 overs.

20:08 IST: SIX! Confident Afghan skipper Asghar Afghan steps out against spinner Haris Sohail and clubs him over deep mid-wicket to collect six runs. Asghar is timing the ball beautifully now. AFG 177-3 after 40.4 overs.

20:05 IST: 50 for Asghar Afghan! What a knock this has been from the Afghanistan skipper. Leading his team from the front. Scores his eighth fifty in ODI cricket. AFG 170-3 after 40 overs.

Skipper Asghar Afghan also completes his half-century against Pakistan#AFGvPAK #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/ZistAh8Rqt

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 21, 2018

20:05 IST: 50 for Hashmatullah Shahidi! Incredible knock from the youngster under pressure. Shahidi has provided brilliant support to his skipper. He has played the anchor role to perfection. Scores his fourth fifty in ODI cricket. AFG 168-3 after 39.5 overs.

Hashmatullah Shahidi completes a well-composed half-century against Pakistan#AFGvPAK #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/mxVNoSMRYc

— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 21, 2018

19:51 IST: SIX! Asghar Afghan slams Mohammed Nawaz out of the park. He is now looking in great touch. Clears his front leg and hits Nawaz inside-out over long-off to collect six runs. AFG 158-3 after 37.3 overs.

19:51 IST: 150 up for Afghanistan! Hashmatullah Shahidi takes a single on the on side and 150 comes up for Afghanistan after 37.2 overs.

19:43 IST: SIX! Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan on the charge here. Hoicks Mohammed Nawaz over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. First a boundary and now a six. Asghar has made his intentions clear. He is looking to get some quick runs now. AFG 143-3 after 35.5 overs.

19:40 IST: 35 overs are up and Afghanistan continue to take the scoreboard forward with singles and doubles. Both Shahidi (43) and Asghar (19) looking concentrating on rotating the partnership. 90 balls to go. Will Afghanistan cross 250-run mark? AFG 132-3. 

19:32 IST: Another tight over from Hasan Ali comes to an end. Just three runs from it. Run rate for Afghanistan at the moment is 3.79. Both the batsmen now need to put the paddle on the accelerator. AFG 125-3 after 33 overs.

19:24 IST: DRINKS! Afghanistan 119/3 in 31 overs. Shahidi 37*, Asghar 13*

19:19 IST: Hasan Ali is back into the attack. Can he break this partnership?

19:13 IST: 7 runs off Usman Khan's 6th over. Afghanistan 113/3 in 29 overs.

19:10 IST: FOUR! Shahidi sends Usman Khan towards backward point for a boundary.

18:57 IST: Six and 100 comes up for Afghanistan! What a way to take the team to three-figure mark. Skipper Asghar Afghan launches Mohammed Nawaz's delivery out of the mid-wicket boundary to collect six runs. Asghar opens his account with a colossal strike. AFG 100-3 after 25.4 overs.

18:55 IST: OUT! Third wicket for Mohammed Nawaz. What an effort this has been from the left-arm spinner. Another simple caught and bowled for him. Trying to hoick the ball over mid-wicket, Shah top edges the ball. Nawaz grabs the ball with ease. Crucial knock from Rahmat Shah (36) comes to an end. AFG 94-3 after 25.3 overs.

18:52 IST: 25 overs are up and Afghanistan have 93 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets. Run rate for Afghanistan at the moment is 3.72. Both Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi are looking settled now. They will be eying to score some quick tuns now.

18:42 IST: FOUR! Rahmat Shah scoops Shoaib Malik to fine-leg to collect a boundary. Brilliant placement from Shah. Pressure was building on both the Afghan batsmen. The boundary will certainly ease off some pressure. AFG 85-2 after 22.3 overs.

18:39 IST: 50-run partnership comes up between Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.

18:33 IST: 20 overs are up and Afghanistan have 74 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets. Rahmat Shah is batting on 23 runs along side Hashmatullah Shahidi , who is on 19.

18:25 IST: Another tight over from Hasan Ali comes to an end. Just two runs and a wide from it. Last three overs from the Pakistan bowlers have been brilliant Just 9 runs have come from them. Both Afghanistan batsmen Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi are playing very cautiously at the moment. The partnership between the two has now moved on to 34 runs off 48 balls. AFG 65-2 after 18 overs.

18:15 IST: Hasan Ali introduced into the attack by Pakistan straight after drinks break.

18:11 IST: Drinks Break - 15 overs are up and Afghanistan have 57 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets.

Drinks Break - Afghanistan: 57/2 (15 ov). Live Updates: https://t.co/ilhItsGdzX #PAKvAFG #AsiaCup2018 #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/OGbYPz0y2c

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

18:08 IST: Another bowling change for Pakistan! Haris Sohail comes in to replace Mohammad Nawaz.

18:07 IST: 50 up for Afghanistan! Good length delivery from Shoaib Malik and Rahmat Shah pushes the ball to the long-off fielder for a single. Fifty comes up for the Afghanistan in 13.2 overs.

18:04 IST: FOUR! Boundary to finish Mohammad Nawaz's fourth over. The ball was short on the leg side and Rahmat Shah rocks on to the back-foot and hits the ball in the vacant mid-wicket region to collect four runs. AFG 48-2 after 13 overs.

18:01 IST: First over from Shoaib Malik produces 5 runs. Mohammad Nawaz will continue from the other end. AFG 40-2 after 12 overs.

17:57 IST: Bowling change for Pakistan! Off-spinner Shoaib Malik comes in to replace Shaheen Afridi.

17:51 IST: OUT! Mohammad Nawaz gets his second wicket. Mohammad Shahzad, trying to drive the ball fails to reach to the pitch, only manages a faint edge. Sarfraz Ahmed takes a sharp catch behind the stumps. Two quick wickets for Pakistan. AFG 31-2 after 10.1 overs.

OUT! Mohammad Shahzad c Sarfraz b Mohammad Nawaz 20(31). Afghanistan: 31/2 (10.1 ov). Live Updates: https://t.co/ilhItsGdzX #PAKvAFG #AsiaCup2018 #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/QywhACYVEq

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

17:46 IST: FOUR! Much needed boundary for Afghanistan finally comes from the bat of Shahzad. Hits the first ball of Shaheen's over to the left of mid-off fielder to collect a boundary. AFG 30-1 after 9.1 overs.

17:45 IST: OUT! Luck finally runs out for Ihsanullah. A simple caught and bowled for left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. Ihsanullah walks back after scoring 10 runs. Afghanistan lose their first wicket. AFG 26-1 after 9 overs.

17:38 IST: Dropped! Dropped! Back to back drop catches from Pakistan. This is really a poor fielding effort from Pakistan. First it was Fakhar Zaman, who dropped Ihsanullah at mid-on and then Usman Khan on the very next delivery is not able to cling on to the ball at short fine-leg. This is heartbreaking from debutant Shaheen Afridi. AFG 24-0 after 7.2 overs.

17:37 IST: Both Afghanistan openers Shahzad (13) and Ihsanullah (9) pretty watchful at the moment.

17:33 IST: Bowling change for Pakistan! Left-arm spinner Mohammed Nawaz comes in to replace Usman Khan.

17:28 IST: This has been a pretty good start from Afghanistan. Both Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat are looking confident against the Pakistan pacers. Five overs are up and Afghanistan have 20 runs on the board without any loss of wicket.

17:18 IST: FOUR! Cracking shot from Ihsanullah to end Usman Khan's second over. Hits it through cover region and the ball reaches the fence in no time. Solid start from both Afghan openers. AFG 14-0 after 3 overs.

17:12 IST: Tidy start from debutant Shaheen Afridi. Just two runs from his first over. AFG 8-0 after 2 overs.

17:09 IST: End of the first over from Usman Khan. Debutant Shaheen Afridi will share the new ball from the other end. AFG 6-0 after 1 over.

17:04 IST: FOUR! Mohammad Shahzad clobbers the ball through the extra cover region for a boundary. The free hit ball was a wide delivery and Shahzad wasted no time on that one. Clears his front leg and whacks the ball into the gap to collect a boundary. AFG 5-0 after 0.2 overs.

17:03 IST: Review from Pakistan! Original decision is not out. And it's a no ball from Usman Khan. Pakistan although retain their review but umpires will not look further into the lbw appeal as Usman's foot was outside the crease. Shahzad survives. Afghanistan are off the mark with a extra. First Free Hit of the match. AFG 1-0 after 0.2 overs.

17:00 IST: Openers Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat are out in the middle for Afghanistan. Usman Khan will start the proceedings for Pakistan.

16:55 IST: Both teams are at the centre along with the match officials for the national anthems. We are just minutes away from the start.

16:40 IST: Shaheen Afridi makes his ODI debut for Pakistan!

ODI debut for @iShaheenAfridi, national team cap given to him by bowling coach @AzharMahmood11
Live Updates: https://t.co/UuNbgO7MtR #AsiaCup2018 #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/suQ8B86Wo1

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

ODI debut for @iShaheenAfridi, national team cap given to him by bowling coach @AzharMahmood11
Live Updates: https://t.co/UuNbgO7MtR ... #AsiaCup2018 #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/fieXX86l3G

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

16:35 IST: Here are the playing XI from both the teams.

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan(c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed(w/c), Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan, Shaheen Afridi

16:30 IST: Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan wins the toss, opts to bat first against Pakistan.

Afghanistan win the toss and going to bat first.
Live Updates: https://t.co/UuNbgO7MtR #AsiaCup2018 #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/e93GyURiP1

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

16:25 IST: 5 minutes to go for the toss!

16:15 IST: Pakistan team warming up ahead of the crucial super four encounter.

Pakistan team warm up ahead of the #AsiaCup2018 match #PAKvAFG at Abu Dhabi.#HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/fulZorziLp

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

Pakistan team warm up ahead of the #AsiaCup2018 match #PAKvAFG at Abu Dhabi.#HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/sdqsqPcqps

— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018

16:00 IST: Hello and welcome to the live updates of the Asia Cup Super Four clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In the match against India, Pakistan were completely outplayed by arch-rivals India. Captain Rohit Sharma (52) led from the front with a fine fifty alongside opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (46) to reach the modest target of 163 set by Pakistan with ease. Both openers Rohit and Dhawan stitched together an 86-run partnership for the first wicket taking complete control of the proceedings. After Rohit and Dhawan's departure, Dinesh Karthik and Ambati Rayudu insured that India do not lose any more wicket and overhauled the target set by Pakistan in 29 overs. This was India's most comprehensive victory in terms of balls remaining (126).

Afghanistan, on the other hand, beat Bangladesh by a comprehensive 136 run in their last group match. Rashid Khan starred with both bat and ball on his birthday leading Afghanistan to a famous win. Chasing 256, Bangladesh never got the momentum going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Openers Liton Das (6) and Nazmul Hossain Shanto (7) were sent back early to the pavilion by the Afghan bowlers. Shakib Al Hasan (32) gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope but not too evaporated in the 24th over when the batsman was dismissed LBW by Rashid Khan. On the back of their late batting pyrotechnics, Afghanistan scored 97 runs from the final 10 overs and that made the difference in the fate of the match.