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SHARJAH: Clinical bowling performance helped Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 18 runs in the fourth match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
In pursuit of a 170-run target, Pakistan could only muster 151-9 in their allocated 20 overs.
Pakistan started poorly as Saim Ayub departed for a golden duck in only the second over. Sahibzada Farhan, on the other end, tried to put pressure back on Afghanistan, striking two sixes in AM Ghazanfar’s overs.
However, his innings of 18 from 13 was cut short in the fourth over. As a result, Pakistan were reduced to 29-2.
Fakhar Zaman and captain Sahibzada Farhan paired up for a brief stand of 33 runs to steady Pakistan in the chase.
With Pakistan looking to accelerate, Mohammad Nabi struck for Afghanistan, providing the breakthrough that eventually led to the culmination of the partnership.
The wicket sparked a collapse that Pakistan could never recover from. Consequently, Pakistan fell short of Afghanistan’s target despite Haris Rauf’s lusty blows.
Haris Rauf remained the top scorer for Pakistan with 34* off 16 balls laced with four towering sixes.
For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up two wickets, whereas Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi picked up two scalps each to seal a thrilling win.
Earlier, Faheem Ashraf’s four-wicket haul helped Pakistan restrict Afghanistan to 169-5.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan managed to score 169 for 5 in their 20 overs.
Afghanistan lost their opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, early after scoring eight off 10 deliveries.
However, Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran paired up for a mammoth stand of 113 runs, laying a strong foundation for a big total.
The duo started from where they left off against the UAE, batting with a sensible approach. Both batters kept Pakistan bowlers at bay in the middle overs as Afghanistan’s scorecard read 83-1 at the halfway stage of the innings.
Pakistan did manage to sneak some quite overs, not until the 15th over, where Zadran and Atal took Sufiyan Muqeem to the cleaners. The over leaked 20 runs with Afghanistan threatening to score a massive total.
Yet, Pakistan roared back into the last few overs with quick wickets, which halted Afghanistan’s progress.
Sediqullah Atal made 64 from 45, striking three sixes and three fours, whereas Ibrahim Zadran made 65 from 45 balls, including a six and eight boundaries.
For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf remained the standout bowler, picking up four wickets. Saim Ayub remained economical with a wicket in his four spell while giving away only 18 runs.
Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem
READ: Fakhar Zaman joins Babar Azam in elite list in Pakistan-Afghanistan tri-series clash
