Published 08:00 IST, March 27th 2023

Afghanistan achieve landmark series win against Pakistan

It is the first time that Afghanistan has won a series against a top-six ranked ICC team. Pakistan chose to bat first but its inexperienced top-order again disappointed before recalled Imad Wasim smashed 64 not out off 57 balls and captain Shadab Khan made 32 to increase the final total to 130-6.

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Image: Afghanistan Cricket Board | Image: self
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Afghanistan showcased anor impressive run-chase to beat new-look Pakistan by seven wickets in second Twenty20 international with one ball remaining and take an unassailable 2-0 le in three-match series on Sunday.

It is first time that Afghanistan has won a series against a top-six ranked ICC team.

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Pakistan chose to bat first but its inexperienced top-order again disappointed before recalled Im Wasim smashed 64 not out off 57 balls and captain Shab Khan me 32 to increase final total to 130-6.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (44) and Ibrahim Zran (38) led Afghanistan’s chase before Najibullah Zran scored a rapid unbeaten 23 and Mohamm Nabi was 14 not out to guide ir team to 133-3 with a ball to spare.

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“It’s a great honor and pleasure to le this wonderful team,” Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said. “Great effort with ball, and n we took it deep and finished it … We have players to finish it like Nabi and Najib.”

Needing 22 off last two overs, Najibullah and Nabi struck a six each in Naseem Shah’s penultimate over which went for 17 and effectively ended Pakistan's hopes.

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Afghanistan recorded a memorable six-wicket win against Pakistan on Friday after pinning down Shab’s team to 92-9.

In absence of five rested frontline players, including Babar Azam and Mohamm Rizwan, Pakistan continued to struggle against pace and spin of Afghanistan on slow wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stium.

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Saim Ayub, who me his T20 debut in first game, edged behind second ball of game from Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-19). Abdullah Shafique became first men’s batter in T20 history to record a fourth straight duck when he was trapped leg before wicket by Farooqi in his first double-wicket maiden over, leaving Pakistan at 0-2.

Mohamm Haris (15) and Tayyab Tahir (13) also couldn’t gauge wicket well upfront. Azam Khan (1) was baffled by Rashid's sharp googly and was out lbw as Pakistan slipped to 63-5 in 11 overs.

Im and Shab n combined in a 67-run stand with Im hitting two sixes and three fours before Shab was run out off last ball while going for a second run.

Gurbaz me a powerful start for Afghanistan when he smashed Naseem (0-39) for a six and a boundary in first over and took game deep by ding 56 runs with Ibrahim. Gurbaz was run out when his reverse lap shot went straight to Naseem at short third man and Ibrahim declined a sharp single.

Fast bowler Ihsanullah (1-23) h Ibrahim caught behind in 18th over but Najibullah and Nabi sealed game with ir belligerent hitting against Naseem in penultimate over.

“We were struggling again,” Shab said. “When you lose three wickets in powerplay, you lose 70% of games … young players were nervous. y are playing for first time for Pakistan, but we have to back m.”

third T20 is on Monday. 

07:59 IST, March 27th 2023