This Day That Year: Pakistan survive a scare against Afghanistan in World Cup 2019
Pakistan survived a scare before defeating Afghanistan in a
low scoring match played at Headingly, Leeds on 29th June 2019.
Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib won the toss and decided
to bat first. It was a brisk start as Naib and Rahmat Shah played with positive
intent putting pressure on Pakistani bowlers. Shaheen Shah Afridi produced the
breakthrough dismissing Naib for 15. Naib and Shah added 27 runs for the opening
wicket. Afridi struck again off the very next ball to dismiss Hashmatullah
Shahidi to leave Afghanistan at 27 for 2.
Rahmat Shah looked in decent touch while Ikram Alikhil
struggled for timing. At the end of 10 overs, Afghanistan scored 46 for 2. Imad
Wasim got the wicket of Shah leaving Afghanistan in trouble at 57 for 3. Asghar
Afghan took the attack to Pakistan bowlers with big strokes. On the other hand,
Alikhil looked out of sorts. Shahdab Khan produced a beauty to dismiss Asghar
Afghan. Asghar and Alikhil added 64 runs for the 4th wicket.
The Pakistani bowlers kept a tight line and length not
allowing Afghanistan batsmen to score runs easily. Najibullah Zadran and
Shenwari put up an important 35 runs stand for the 7th wicket. Afghanistan
tail put up valuable runs to help them post 227 for 9 in 50 overs.
Chasing 228 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for
Pakistan as Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman off the 2nd
ball of the innings. Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam looked in decent putting
pressure on Afghan bowlers. At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan scored 49 for 1.
Mohammad Nabi provided the breakthrough dismissing Imam and
then Babar Azam. Babar and Imam added 72 runs for the 2nd wicket.
The experienced Hafeez and Haris Sohail struggled against the Afghan trio
spinners. Mujeeb provided the breakthrough dismissing Hafeez to end 40 runs for
the 4th wicket.
Afghanistan left Pakistan reeling at 156 for 6 with Sarfraz
Ahmed run out. Imad Wasim and Shahdab Khan kept the Afghan spinners out. Imad
looked in decent touch while Khan gave him full support. A superb combination
run by Naib and Alikhil ended a superb 50 runs stand for the 7th
wicket.
With Wahab Riaz struggling, he smashed Rashid Khan for a six
in the 49th over. With 6 runs needed off 6 balls, both camps were
nervous but Imad Wasim hit the winning runs to give Pakistan a thrilling 3
wicket win. Wahab remained not out on a quickfire 15 off 9 balls.
For his all-round contribution, Imad Wasim was named the man
of the match. With this win, Pakistan kept the hopes of making it into the
knockout stage.
Pakistan 230 for 7 in 49.4 overs ( Imad Wasim 49*, Babar
Azam 45, Mohammad Nabi 2/23, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/34) beat Afghanistan 229 for 7
in 50 overs ( Asghar Afghan 42, Najibullah Zadran 42, Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/47,
Imad Wasim 2/48) by 3 wickets.
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| This Day That Year: Pakistan survived a scare to win the match against Afg on 29th June 2019 |
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