Clinical Afghanistan outclass Pakistan in tri-series clash
SHARJAH: Half-centuries from Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran, backed by a disciplined bowling display, powered Afghanistan to an emphatic 18-run win over Pakistan in the fourth clash of the T20I tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Set to chase 170, Pakistan faltered and could only manage 151/9 in their 20 overs.
The Men in Green endured a poor start to the run chase as openers Saim Ayub (0) and Sahibzada Farhan (18) fell within the first four overs, leaving the scoreboard at 29/2.
Veteran batter Fakhar Zaman and skipper Salman Ali Agha attempted to steady the innings with a 33-run third-wicket stand, but their quick dismissals in consecutive overs left Pakistan reeling at 67/4 in the ninth over.
Fakhar struck 25 off 18 balls, hitting three boundaries and a six, while Agha contributed 20 from 15, including a four and a six. Their departure sparked a collapse that saw Pakistan slip to 111/9 by the 17th over.
A late unbeaten 40-run partnership between Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Muqeem gave Pakistan faint hope, but the chase remained out of reach. Rauf played a blistering knock of 34 not out from 16 deliveries, smashing four sixes, while Muqeem remained not out on seven.
For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed two wickets apiece.
Earlier, opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted a competitive 169/5, thanks largely to a commanding second-wicket stand between Atal and Zadran.
After Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed early for eight off Saim Ayub’s bowling, the pair of Atal and Zadran combined for a 113-run partnership to seize control.
Atal scored 64 off 45 balls with three sixes and as many fours before falling to Faheem Ashraf in the 16th over. Zadran carried on to make 65 off 45 deliveries, decorated with eight boundaries and a six.
Faheem shone with the ball, recording career-best figures of 4/27. He dismissed Omarzai, Zadran, and Nabi in quick succession to keep Afghanistan in check. Rashid Khan and Karim Janat finished not out on eight runs each.
Apart from Faheem, Saim Ayub was the only other wicket-taker for Pakistan, returning 1/18 from his four overs.
