Pakistan 148/5 in 19 Overs (Babar Azam 51, Fakhar Zaman 30, Asif Ali 25*, Rashid Khan 2/26, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/14, Naveed Ul Haq 1/22, Mohammad Nabi 1/36) 
Afghanistan 147/6 (Mohammad Nabi 35*, Gulbadan Naib 35*, Nazibullah Zadran 22, Karim Zannat 15, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/22, Shadav Khan 1/22, Imad Wasim 1/25, Harris Rauf 1/37, Hasan Ali 1/38)
Pakistan Won by 5 Wickets. 
Player of Match: Asif Ali 

Pakistan’s smooth sailing in T20 World Cup continues. Afghanistan went down fighting losing by 5 wickets in a tight match. The margin of defeat would not tell the story of the match. 

Amazing Pakistan in its dream journey in World Cup routed tournament favorites India and New Zealand in their match one and two . Babar’s Army already rewrote few pages of their cricket history. But their neighbors Afghanistan many of whom had their cricket nursery at Peshawar stretched them to their limits. Six hitter Asif Ali blasting 4 sixes in the penultimate over of the match saw them home in an otherwise tight match. Afghanistan posted challenging score of 147/6, which Pakistan hurdled across scoring 148/5 in 19 overs.

World cricket know Afghanistan possesses the best spin attack at this moment. Their crafty spinners love playing in UAE. So does Pakistan in their home away from home. It was great event for expatriates as many Afghans and Pakistanis leave in UAE. The gallery took festive look. We are sure the fans enjoyed the match to their hearts content.

When Afghans batted Pakistani pacers bowled fast and furious. Shaheen, Rauf and Hasan breathed fire. Shadab and Imad also bowled tight. Free hitting Afghan top order did not have much freedom. Afghans lost wickets at regular interval. Within the first power play Zazai, Shehzad, Asghar and Gurbaz were gone. Karim Zannat (15) and Nazibullah Zadran (22) tried to apply. But their stay at the wicket also did not last long. At 6/76 Afghans were looking down the barrel when captain Mohammad Nabi (35*) and Gulbadan Naib (35*) shouldered the team. Their unbeaten 71 partnerships in 7.1 overs posted a challenging score. Quality Afghan attack had just enough to have a go. Quality all round Pakistan attack shared wickets among them. 

Afghans picked Rizwan early. But Cricket Emperor Babar (51) pairing with Fakhar (30) knitting 63 in 50 balls in the 2nd wicket partnership laid the foundation. Mystery Mujeeb bowled tight giving away only 14 runs taking a wicket in his four overs. Rashid Khan also strangled Pakistan middle order taking 2/26. By doing that Rashid (53 Matches) became the quickest bowler entering 100 T20 wickets club alongside Malinga, Shakib and Southee. 

The match grew tight. But Asif Ali now known for his six hitting expertise settled many nerves striking four sixes of the bowling of Karim Zannat in the 19th over. His 7 balls unbeaten 25 won him player of the match award.

Pakistan winning three in three can relax. They have only matches against Scotland and Namibia. Now the rat race is among India, New Zealand and Afghanistan. 

Pakistan team is really looking great. Off course the best performing team not always win the trophy. A bad day in the office can still frustrate. But it would really require a team playing really well to challenge Pakistan having all guns blazing. On the other hand, Afghans may still sting with venom. 

BDST: 1230 HRS, OCT 30, 2021
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