Asia Cup: Pakistan VS Afghanistan Super 4 -Naseem Shah's back-to-back sixes took Pak into the finals of the Asia Cup
Defending any total in the UAE is just becoming impossible, but Afghanistan today made everyone stand up on their seats. Last over, and 11 runs for Pakistan while just one tail end wicket for Afghanistan to win the game
Pakistan Reach finals of Asia Cup 2022But pure raw emotions were on the ground when Naseem Shah hammered back-to-back sixes on the first two balls of that last over, and Pakistan won this low total thriller by one wicket.
Afghanistan team players were shattered and broken, while Naseem Shah threw his bat, gloves, and helmets running, celebrating the victory with his team, who rushed to the ground after that six.
Naseem Shah said, "When I went in to bat I had the belief to hit the sixes. I practice (hitting sixes) and I knew they would bowl yorkers as they had the field up."
"Naseem's sixes remind us of Miandad's and Afridi's last-over sixes", said Shabad Khan.
"This moment reminds me of Javed Miandad's six.", said Babar Azam.
This is probably the most thrilling, nail-biting and emotionally driven game with the revenge and challenges of this Asia Cup.
Babar Azam said, "To be honest, the dressing room was very tensed. The team was walking in and out of the dressing room. Excellent with the way Naseem Shah finished it off".
Many fans looked at this game today because the possibility of India making it into the finals could start from this very game, with Afghanistan winning this match. But batting first, Afghanistan could post just 129/6 in 20 overs.
Pakistan bowlers didn't allow opponent batters to settle on the crease or tune in to their power-hitting mode. Ibrahim Zadran (35) and Hazratullah Zazai (21) were among the highest run scorers for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan bowlers, but they didn't give Pakistan an easy win. Defending a low target of 130, they were clinical to take nine wickets and take the game towards the ultimate over.
Mohammad Nabi said, "We knew it would be tough chasing 130 here, and that's why we looked to bowl dot balls. We didn't give easy singles. The plan on the last two deliveries was to bowl slower bouncers or bowl yorkers, but he (Farooqi) didn't execute his plans."
With Afghanistan losing this match, India and Afghanistan both stands eliminated. The Asia Cup final will see a clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka; before the finals, they will clash again on 11th September.
Afghanistan will lock horns with India in a dead rubber match on 8th September 2022.
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