Sharjah, 26 March 2023: Imad Wasim’s unbeaten half-century went in vain as Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the second T20I to take a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on Sunday evening.
Afghanistan, chasing a target of 131 runs, got off to a solid start, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 44 runs and Ibrahim Zadran's 38 runs. Despite losing few wickets in the middle overs, Najibullah Zadran unbeaten 23 off 12 balls, and player of the match from first match Mohammad Nabi’s 14 not out off nine balls, guided Afghanistan to a historical series win over Pakistan with a ball to spare.
This was Afghanistan’s first-ever series win over Pakistan in any format.
Earlier, after winning the toss for the second successive time in the series, Pakistan skipper Shadab Khan again opted to bat first. However, like the first match, their batting order collapsed as they lost five wickets inside 11 overs with just 63 runs on the board.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique returned back to the hut without contributing any run in the first over of the match, while Mohammad Haris (15, 9b, 2x4,1x6), Tayyab Tahir (13, 22b) and Azam Khan (1,4b) were next to return back to the pavilion at the end of the 11th over.
Pakistan's captain Shadab, and all-rounder Imad Wasim, took the responsibility of rescuing the team and added a valuable 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Imad, who made a comeback in the side, played exceptionally well and remained unbeaten on 64 runs off 57 balls, which included three fours and two sixes. Shadab, on the other hand, got out on the last ball of the innings after scoring 32 runs off 25 balls with three fours.
Pakistan ended their innings with a total of 130 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi was their most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 19 runs in four overs and was named the player of the match.
The third match of the series will be played tomorrow at the same venue.
Scores in brief:
Afghanistan beat Pakistan by seven wickets
Pakistan 130-6, 20 overs (Imad Wasim 64 not out, Shadab Khan 32; Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-19)
Afghanistan 133-3, 19.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 44, Ibrahim Zadran 38, Najibullah Zadran 23 not out, Mohammad Nabi 14 not out)
Player of the match – Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)
