Cricket Highlights, 27 March: Afghanistan vs Pakistan (3rd T20I)

Afghanistan vs Pakistan (3rd T20I)

Yesterday’s third edition of the three-match T20 series featured Pakistan and Afghanistan. By winning the first two games, Afghanistan, the host nation, won the series. By winning the third game, Nabi-Rashid had the opportunity to completely destroy Pakistan. Yet they were unable to succeed. In the third T20I, Afghanistan was defeated by Pakistan by a wide score of 66 runs.

In addition, Shadab Khan was named Pakistan’s man of the match. On the other hand, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi took away the Man of the Series.

Afghanistan chose to bowl after winning the toss. The Afghan bowlers, like in the first two games, were unable to annihilate Pakistan. Pakistan scored 92 runs in the first game, 130 runs in the second, and 182 runs for 7 wickets in the third game.

After losing the toss and bat first, Pakistan lost opener Mohammad Haris (1) in the second over, but Saim Ayub scored 49 runs off 40 balls as the other opener. This left-hander, who was out for 17 and 0 runs, respectively, in the previous two games, was superbly caught by Mujeeb ur Rahman. Before that, he blasted two sixes and four fours while playing some incredible shots around the wicket.

28 runs were scored off 17 balls by captain Shadab. Also, he hit five fours. With two sixes and one four, Abdullah Shafique scored 23 runs off just 13 balls. Iftekhar Ahmed hit two sixes to score 31 runs off 25 balls. Tayyab Tahir scored 10 runs. 13 runs were scored by Imad Wasim with the help of 2 fours. On the other hand, Mohammad Nawaz remained unbeaten on 5 runs and Mohammad Wasim Jr. remained unbeaten on 9 runs. Pakistan ultimately set a target of 183 runs, with additional 13 runs. 

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb ur Rahman took 2 wickets. For 31 runs, Rashid Khan claimed 1 wicket. In addition, one wicket each was taken by Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nabi, Fareed Ahmed, and Karim Janat.

The Afghan batsmen in the reaction were initially in danger as they chased massive runs. At 39 runs, 3 wickets were lost. In the fifth over, Ihsanullah dismissed Gurbaz for 35 runs. Both the opener, Sediqullah Atal, who scored 11 off 19 balls, and Gurbaz, who scored 18 off 11 balls, were unable to capitalize on the six overs of the power play. Pakistan scored 52 for 2 in the first 6 overs, compared to Afghanistan’s 37 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.

With such a sluggish start, Afghanistan lost Ibrahim Zadran (3 from 6 balls) in the following over and Mohammad Nabi in the eleventh over. Tayyab Tahir’s brilliant throw allowed Nabi (10 balls 17) to be run out as he wanted to take two runs at fine leg in that over by Ihsanullah. The next ball struck Najibullah Zadran in the face. But, Ihsanullah’s storm had not yet passed. In the next ball, Karim Janat got out.

Once Shadab entered the pitch and took two more wickets in the 12th over, it was only a matter of time until the Afghans would lose the game. Mujeeb Ur Rahman recorded a golden duck while Usman scored 15 runs off 17 balls. Rashid Khan also made 16 runs off 14 balls. As Najibullah’s “concussion sub,” Azmatullah Omarzai attempted to make a last-ditch effort with 21 runs off 20 balls. Nonetheless, Afghanistan was eventually bowled out for 116 runs in 18.4 overs.

Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s captain, excelled in bowling in addition to his batting performance. For 13 runs in 4 overs, this spinner took 3 wickets. As a result, Pakistan’s captain was given the trophy for the man of the match. Ihsanullah also claimed three wickets in addition to this.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan Scoreboard

Pakistan – 182/7 (20.0)

Afghanistan – 116/10 (18.4)

Result – Pakistan won by 66 runs

Player of the match – Shadab Khan

Player of the series – Mohammad Nabi 

Pakistan

Afghanistan vs Pakistan Playing XI’s