Landmark sequence win for Afghanistan in opposition to Pakistan

Afghanistan showcased one other spectacular run-chase to beat new-look Pakistan by seven wickets within the second Twenty20 worldwide with one ball remaining and take an unassailable 2-0 lead within the three-match sequence on Sunday.

It is the primary time that Afghanistan has gained a sequence in opposition to a top-six ranked ICC group.

Pakistan selected to bat first however its inexperienced top-order once more disillusioned earlier than recalled Imad Wasim smashed 64 not out off 57 balls and captain Shadab Khan made 32 to extend the ultimate whole to 130-6.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (44) and Ibrahim Zadran (38) led Afghanistan’s chase earlier than Najibullah Zadran scored a fast unbeaten 23 and Mohammad Nabi was 14 not out to information their group to 133-3 with a ball to spare.

pic.twitter.com/8FMJVWCiJq

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 26, 2023

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

Needing 22 off the final two overs, Najibullah and Nabi struck a six every in Naseem Shah’s penultimate over which went for 17 and successfully ended Pakistan’s hopes.

Afghanistan recorded a memorable six-wicket win in opposition to Pakistan on Friday after pinning down Shadab’s group to 92-9.

In the absence of 5 rested frontline gamers, together with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan continued to battle in opposition to the tempo and spin of Afghanistan on the gradual wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Saim Ayub, who made his T20 debut within the first sport, edged behind the second ball of the sport from Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-19). Abdullah Shafique grew to become the primary males’s batter in T20 historical past to file a fourth straight duck when he was trapped leg earlier than wicket by Farooqi in his first double-wicket maiden over, leaving Pakistan at 0-2.

Afghanistan performed very well. What a memorable sequence win for them. It will take Afghan cricket a good distance.
For Pakistan, it was a younger inexperienced aspect. There’s lots to be taught and switch issues round. pic.twitter.com/89ZewV3GuK

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 27, 2023

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

Imad and Shadab then mixed in a 67-run stand with Imad hitting two sixes and three fours earlier than Shadab was run out off the final ball whereas going for a second run.

Gurbaz made a strong begin for Afghanistan when he smashed Naseem (0-39) for a six and a boundary within the first over and took the sport deep by including 56 runs with Ibrahim. Gurbaz was run out when his reverse lap shot went straight to Naseem at brief third man and Ibrahim declined a pointy single.

Fast bowler Ihsanullah (1-23) had Ibrahim caught behind within the 18th over however Najibullah and Nabi sealed the sport with their belligerent hitting in opposition to Naseem within the penultimate over.

“We were struggling again,” Shadab stated. “When you lose three wickets in powerplay, you lose 70% of the games … The young players were nervous. They are playing for the first time for Pakistan, but we have to back them.”

The third T20 is on Monday.