The ‘all-important’ Super 4 clash in the Asia Cup 2022 between Pakistan and Afghanistan got underway on Wednesday. The match held tremendous importance in the context of the tournament as Pakistan’s victory would’ve meant that Afghanistan and India were knocked out of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the crucial toss and invited Afghanistan to bat first. Afghanistan openers Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz came out to bat with a clear intent of attacking the Pakistan bowlers. They got their team to a blistering start adding 36 runs in 3.5 overs. However, after a good start to the innings, Afghanistan lost both their openers in quick time and were 43/2 after 4.5 overs.
Ibrahim Zadran and Karim Janat added 35 runs for the third wicket but couldn’t score at a brisk pace. After their partnership, Afghanistan lost four wickets in just 26 runs and were left reeling at 104/6 after 16.3 overs. A 25-run partnership between Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai took their team to a fighting total of 129 after their allotted 20 overs.
The Pakistan chase got off to the worst possible start as they lost their captain Babar Azam on the second ball of the innings. Babar once again failed to fire in the tournament and returned back to the pavilion for a golden duck. Afghanistan further put Pakistan under more pressure by removing Fakhar Zaman with a brilliant direct hit by Najibullah Zadran.
Mohammad Nabi’s men further made inroads on Pakistan batting with the wicket of in-form Mohammad Rizwan leaving Pakistan struggling at 45/3 after 8.4 overs. Seeing their team in trouble Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan came together at the crease and added valuable 42 runs for the fourth wicket.
The partnership was broken with the wicket of Ahmed when Pakistan still required 43 runs to win in 27 balls. There was more drama in the game as Afghanistan made a roaring comeback into the match with four more quick wickets leaving Pakistan at 110/8 after 18.2 overs.
The drama continued with Asif Ali trying his best to take his team home but was dismissed with 12 more runs needed from 7 balls. With 11 needed of the last over, Naseem Shah smashed back-to-back sixes and won the match for Pakistan. Pakistan’s win meant that they progress straight to the final of the Asia Cup and Afghanistan and India were knocked out o the tournament.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the incredible match:
What a finish ? what a breathtaking match ? Allhumdullilah Allhumdullilah Finally #PAKvAFG #PakvsAfg #AFGvsPAK
— Palwasha Alam (@Palo1109) September 7, 2022
Full Dead Match ko next level Excited bnana koi Pakistan se seekhy??? #PakvsAfg #AsiaCup
— Ammar ?? (@ammaaaaaaaarr) September 7, 2022
Naseem Shah!!!!!
Remember the name ??#AFGvsPAK #PakvsAfg— Justuju – ????? (@justujuuu) September 7, 2022
#PakvsAfg india ko 2 six's yad rhy gy????
— NoorShaikh (@NoorSha91244076) September 7, 2022
Bowlers wicket bhi len, match bhi jitwayen ????
Masha Allah #PakvsAfg— H B K (@hareembkhan12) September 7, 2022
The sky of Peshawar is full of bullets flying around.
And it feels sooooooo good.
Afghanistan aur oske mazafat main ghum ka hour hua chahta hai. #PakvsAfg
— 30 Beat Khan (@Hoo_Carez) September 7, 2022
Seriously never ever seen such close finish like this..
This game is crazyyyy#PakvsAfg— JAMES (@ImJames_) September 7, 2022
Glory shots and glory wickets. Biggest enemies. Had to keep the ball away from the tailender but nah bowled krke naachna hai inko..#PakvsAfg #AsiaCup
— Saharsh Badyal (@saharsh_badyal) September 7, 2022
Team Afghanistan babar aur rizwan ki tayyari kar k naseem shah ko out of syllabus dekh k rotay huay #PakvsAfg
— Dania. (@DaniaFawad) September 7, 2022
My heart was in life support
Now it's breathing to fast
I can't handle it
????????#PakvsAfg #AsiaCupT20— Aznaira Asfi? (@_a_cindrella_) September 7, 2022
This is how you play competitive cricket. ICT should learn from Afgans and ffs stop the sissy shit they’re doing on the ground with opposition. IPL jokers #PAKvAFG #PakvsAfg
— ADITEYA SINGH (@ADITEYASINGH) September 7, 2022
You deserve every bit of respect @ACBofficials ….what a fight…..what a game…..#AsiaCup2022 #Afghanistan #PAKvAFG #PakvsAfg
— Varun Bhatia (@varunb_196) September 7, 2022
