ICC World Cup Super-12 Stage Group 2: Pakistan reach semi-finals with a comfortable win

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 Pakistan registered their 3rd successive win of Super 12 stage defeating Afghanistan in a thrilling contest played at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai on Friday.

Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and decided to bat first. It was not an ideal start as Imad Wasim dismissed dangerous Zazai. Shaheen Shah Afridi got the wicket of Mohammad Shahzad to leave Afghanistan in trouble at 13 for 2. Gurbaz and Asghar Afghan put some pressure on Pakistani bowlers before Rauf dismissed Afghan with a simple return catch.

Hasan Ali got the wicket of Gurbaz to leave Afghanistan struggling at 39 for 4. At the end of the first six overs, Afghanistan made 49 for 4. Pakistani bowlers did not allow Afghan batters to score runs easily and picked wickets at regular intervals. Karim Janat and Najibullah Zadran also fell in quick succession leaving Afghanistan at 76 for 6.

Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi and Gulbuddin Naib steadied the ship keeping the scoreboard ticking. Naib made the batting look easy smashing Hasan Ali for 21 runs to give some hope for Afghanistan. Both batters ensured that they kept the momentum putting on unbeaten 71 runs for the 7th wicket to help them post 147 for 6 in 20 overs.

It was not an ideal start for Pakistan in the chase as Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman caught by Naveen UL Haq. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam took a few balls to settle before putting pressure on Afghan bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, Pakistan 38 for 1.

After the field restrictions, Babar and Fakhar Zaman took advantage of bad bowling by Afghan bowlers. Azam was given out by the umpire but on review, it was overturned to not out as it was pitching outside. Both Pakistan batters kept the momentum going on. Nabi struck getting rid of Zaman to give some hopes for Afghanistan. Zaman and Babar added 63 runs for the 2nd wicket.

Rashid Khan came to bowl late in the attack and bowled decently. Hafeez and Babar kept the momentum going on for Pakistan. Khan struck getting rid of Hafeez caught by Naib at long-on. Shoaib Malik took the attack to Rashid Khan. Babar Azam completed his fifty off 45 balls. Naveen UL Haq dropped a simple chance. Khan got the wicket of well-set Azam with the final ball.

Naveen UL Haq bowled a superb 19th over giving away just 2 runs and grabbing the wicket of Shoaib Malik. Asif Ali was simply sensational hitting 4 sixes off Karim Janat’s bowling to help Pakistan win the match by 5 wickets with 1 over to spare.

Pakistan 148 for 5 in 19 overs (Babar Azam 51, Zaman 25, Asif Ali 25*, Rashid Khan 2/26) beat Afghanistan 147 for 6 in 20 overs (Nabi 35*, Naib 35*, Imad Wasim 2/25) by 5 wickets.

For his unbeaten 25 off 7 balls, Asif Ali was awarded the man of the match award. 








Pakistan clinched 3rd victory with a 5 wicket win over Afghanistan 

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