Asia Cup – Pakistanis rejoice win against Afghanistan and performance of Naseem Shah
Pakistan succeeds in last over thrilling win over Afghanistan to set up Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, knocking out rivals India.
Naseem Shah the Pakistan cricket team’s tailender in todays match hit two superb last-over sixes beating Afghanistan in a thrilling one-wicket win over on Wednesday to set up an Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, knocking out rivals India in the process.
The greens having bowled very well limited Afghans to a low score of 129-6 and required 130 runs for victory.
Pakistan’s batting order not performing well put the greens in great trouble at 118-9 when number 10 Naseem Shah hit two sixes over the fence off Fazalhaq Farooqi to win with four balls to spare in Sharjah and end India and Afghanistan’s hopes of making the final.
Afghanistan’s team was all sure of victory when Farooqi, who had figures of 3-19 from his first three overs, saw two full tosses at the start of the final over dispatched over long-off.
Tempers flared when Fareed Ahmad struck twice in the 19th over, including dismissing the big-hitting Asif Ali who then angrily waved his bat at the bowler as the umpire cooled him down.
Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif and the entire Pakistani nation rejoiced the Pak team’s win and particularly appreciated the fast bowler and tail-ender Naseem Shah for his superb performance in the final moments of a nail-biting match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Asia Cricket Cup.