Pakistan's players celebrate their win in the T20 cricket match of Asia Cup against Afghanistan, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)Pakistan vs Afghanistan Asia Cup 2022 Highlights: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket in their final Super 4 match of the Asia Cup on Wednesday. The result meant that India and Afghanistan are out of reckoning for the final to be played on Sunday as they are winless from two matches. With four points each, Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualified for the title clash.
Invited to bat, Afghanistan posted 129/6 with Ibrahim Zadran top-scoring with a 37-ball 35. Pakistan chased down the target with four balls to spare, reaching 131 for 9 in 19.2 overs. Shadab Khan top-scored for Pakistan with 36 while Iftikhar Ahmed made 30.
Follow PAK vs AFG Highlights below
Match EndedAsia Cup, 2022 - Super Four - Match 4
Pakistan
131/9 (19.2)vs
Afghanistan
129/6 (20.0)Match Ended ( Day - Super Four - Match 4 )
Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 1 wicket
Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 1 wicket
Live Blog
When he left Pakistan for the Asia Cup, Naseem Shah promised his mentor Sulieman Qadir, son of Abdul Qadir, that he would do his best to be a super star of Pakistan cricket. Sulieman had told him if he does well in the next six months, he can be the superstar like Shaheen Afridi. It was expected that the stardom would come with the ball, which he did rattling India in their first game, but on Wednesday night, he smashed two sixes that he would never ever forget in his life. Neither would Pakistan fans. Or Afghanistan fans. Or the Indians, for that matter, who saw their hopes snuffed out.
Until the last over Pakistan held the upper hand. And just when it seemed for the first time that Afghanistan held the advantage, Naseem Shah stepped up to hit two sixes that no one who watched will forget. Admittedly, they slipped out as full tosses from Fazalhaq Farooqui’s hand. Until then, Farooqui had bowled like a superstar, trapping Babar Azam in the first over and returning later to stop runs and pick wickets to drag Afghanistan back.
But just when history was calling, he couldn’t answer its call. Pressure. Sweaty fingers. And full tosses. Still, not everyone can put them away for consecutive sixes, especially a batsman down the order. But Naseem Shah walloped them both and dashed off on a manic run to nowhere. And when his team-mates caught up with him, the adrenalin was still flowing. He ripped the helmet off his head and flung it down and it took a while and lots of hugs to calm him down.
Eight years ago Fareed Ahmed ran through Pakistan with a seven-wicket haul in a U-19 encounter at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore to burst into imagination back home. Today, he tattooed himself in their brains for ever with a double-wicket over, especially that of the superb finisher Asif Ali. Even though they lost, Fareed vs Asif Ali would be giffed, talked, memed, and stay long in memory.
He was just hit for a six and responded with a slower bouncer that Asif top-edged to short fine-leg.
He found himself right in the path of Asif as he pumped his fist and roared. Clearly unimpressed with how close the bowler had come and celebrating right in front of his face, Asif stood and glared. Fareed didn’t budge. He stared back. Asif then shoved him off, and Fareed still kept staring. Asif then raised his bat as if he would strike, triggering memories of Javed Miandad and Dennis Lillee and in some ways this was even more dangerous. Luckily, the Afghan players swooped in to defuse the situation.
Naseem Shah - Remember the name! Two big sixes off the first two balls of Fazalhaq Farooqi and its game over! WOW! Pakistan win by 1 wkt.
Asif Ali hits Fareed Ahmad for a six and then is out on the next ball. Score after 19 overs, PAK: 119/9 | Pakistan need 11 off the last over
Fazalhaq Farooqi clean bowls Khushdil! In the next over, Fareed Ahmad knocks over Haris Rauf! The stadium ERUPTS! "What is going on," says Waqar Younis on air! This is shocking from Pakistan ! PAK 110/8 in 18.2 ovs | Pakistan need 20 runs in 10 balls
WICKET! Farooqi grabs a wicket on the first ball of his over. The slower one does the trick and the batter is caught plumb in front! Crucial wicket at crucial time! PAK: 105/6 after 17.1 ovs | They need 25 off 17
That's Six and Out! Looking to go for another big hit but this time Rashid Khan gets the better off, Shadab Khan! This is turning out to be another cracker of a game in the Asia Cup 2022. If Pakistan win India go out and Pakistan play Sri Lanka in the final. If Afghanistan win India still have a chance of reaching final. Meanwhile, Rashid ends with figures of 4-0-25-2. PAK: 105/5 in 17 overs | Pakistan need 25 runs in 18 balls
He might be struggling but that is not stopping the right-hander from taking on Rashid Khan and he smashes him for a maximum! Pakistan edging towards the three-figure mark
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The heat is probably getting to him and Shadab is getting a bit of treatment to his leg.
Six runs from the last two overs and the pressure was building up on the Pakistan batters. Something had to give and Iftikhar Ahmad went for the big hit over mid-wicket! Fareed Ahmad's pace probably did not allow him to connect properly and he is holed out. Ahmad is for 30. PAK: 87/4 after 15.3 overs | REQ: 9.56 | Pakistan need 43 runs in 27 balls
Mujeeb to Shadab Khan and the batter goes for the hoick but cannot connect. But what follows is a hilarious moment!
The slog connects and Nabi is out of the ground! That's gone 97 meters. Score after 12 overs, PAK: 72/3
At the halfway mark, Pakistan are stumbling as Indian hopes flicker. Drinks are on the field now. This match is delicately poised. Afghanistan are certainly not letting down on their intensity. Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed have a job to do for Pakistan. Afghanistan's bowlers doing a fantastic job, especially spinners! Interesting end ahead. Score after 10 overs, PAK: 52/3
Just as we were saying Rashid Khan strikes and removes the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan. The batter goes for the review and the impact was in front of middle and ball-tracking shows it to be hitting leg-stump. This is a massive moment in the game and the pressure is building on Pakistan. Score after 9 overs, PAK: 48/3
Iftikhar and Rizwan hold fort for Pakistan after they lost 2 early wickets inside the powerplay. There's plenty of energy in the field by Afghanistan but they know Rizwan is the key wicket. Rashid Khan, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack. Score after 6 overs, PAK: 35/2
Zaman wanted a quick run after defending it in front of cover but Najibullah was quicker on his feet and and hit the bulls eye at the bowler's end. Score after 4 overs, PAK: 20/2
Fazalhaq Farooqi traps Babar in front. The ball kept a bit low. Babar Azam falls early for a golden duck. This is the fourth time in a row he has been out early! Pakistan suffer an early blow.
130 should be an easy chase for Pakistan unless the Afghanistan spinners can pull off something special. Rizwan and Babar Azam are at the crease. Rizwan is on strike. Fazalhaq Farooqi will open the attack
Pakistan restrict Afghanistan to 129/6 | A clinical bowling display from Pakistan led by Haris Rauf!