Pakistan won a low-scoring thriller to beat Afghanistan by one wicket in Sharjah on Wednesday, booking their date with Sri Lanka in the final of the 2022 Asia Cup.
Afghanistan was restricted to 129 for 6 after winning the toss. Pakistan expected smooth sailing but Afghanistan’s bowlers kept a lid on the scoring rate. Pakistan were 52 for 3 after 10 overs.
Shadab Khan, who entered the ground at No. 5, released the pressure with some lusty hits but Afghanistan kept picking up the wickets to stay in the contest.
Afghanistan had a real chance when Fazalhaq Farooqi hit double-strike in the 18th over. When Pakistan 21 needed from two overs, Fareed Ahmad sent back Haris Rauf and the dangerous Asif Ali.
That left Pakistan requiring 11 from the final over, with No. 10 Naseem Shah and No. 11 Mohammad Hasnain.
But Afghanistan’s Farooqi missed his yorkers twice in two balls, and Naseem despatched both full tosses over long-off to seal the game with four balls to spare.
Out of four matches, Afghanistan had two wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Afghanistan will face India in their next match of the tournament on Thursday.
