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Today's Paper | April 27, 2024

Asif Ali comes through in clutch again, produces 6-fest to power Pakistan to win over Afghanistan

Dawn.com Published October 29, 2021
Asif Ali was the hero again as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by five wickets. — Photo: AP
Asif Ali was the hero again as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by five wickets. — Photo: AP
Shoaib Malik, right, and captain Babar Azam run between the wickets during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Shoaib Malik, right, and captain Babar Azam run between the wickets during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Afghanistan's captain Mohammad Nabi plays a shot during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 29. — AFP
Afghanistan's captain Mohammad Nabi plays a shot during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 29. — AFP
Shaheen Afridi reacts after bowling a delivery to Afghanistan's Hazratullah Zazai during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Shaheen Afridi reacts after bowling a delivery to Afghanistan's Hazratullah Zazai during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Haris Rauf takes the catch to dismiss Afghanistan's Asghar Afghan during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Haris Rauf takes the catch to dismiss Afghanistan's Asghar Afghan during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Shaheen Afridi, centre without cap, celebrates with teammates the dismissal of Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Shaheen Afridi, centre without cap, celebrates with teammates the dismissal of Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Afghanistan's captain Mohammad Nabi, centre, reacts after an unsuccessful attempt to run-out Pakistan captain Babar Azam, right, during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai, UAE, Oct 29. — AP
Afghanistan's captain Mohammad Nabi, centre, reacts after an unsuccessful attempt to run-out Pakistan captain Babar Azam, right, during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai, UAE, Oct 29. — AP
Babar Azam, left, bats during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Babar Azam, left, bats during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Fakhar Zaman plays a shot during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP
Fakhar Zaman plays a shot during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Dubai on Oct 29. — AP

Asif Ali emerged as the hero for Pakistan for the second straight game of T20 World Cup 2021 on Friday as he hit four sixes in the penultimate over of a successful run chase against Afghanistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Chasing 148, Pakistan's topsy turvy run chase was at 124-5, with 24 needed off 12 balls and the match set for another tensed ending. This was when Asif, also the hero on Tuesday against New Zealand under similar conditions, decided to rise to the occasion.

He hit two of the first three balls of the 19th over bowled by Karim Janat for sixes before depositing the final two balls into the stands as well, killing the run chase singlehandedly and prematurely.

Asif finished with 25 off just seven balls with four sixes and a single, leaving Janat and all the other Afghan players frustrated.

The win gave Pakistan a third win in as many games in Group 2 of the Super 12 stages, almost assuring a semi-final place, needing just one more win from their last two games.

Afghanistan scored a fighting 147-6 in their 20 overs with Gulbadin Naib and skipper Mohammad Nabi scoring 35 each.

Skipper Babar Azam anchored Pakistan's innings with a 47-ball 51 but his dismissal — bowled by spinner Rashid Khan — turned the game on its head in the 17th over with Pakistan needing 26 off the last three overs.

Paceman Naveen-ul-Haq conceded just two runs in the 18th over and dismissed Shoaib Malik for 19 but Asif quashed all hopes of an Afghanistan win.

Pakistan's task was to handle spinners Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in their chase with the evening dew making life tough for bowlers.

Mujeeb dismissed Mohammad Rizwan (eight) while Nabi accounted for Fakhar Zaman (30) before Rashid's wickets of Mohammad Hafeez (10) and Babar.

Afghanistan innings

Earlier, Gulbadin Naib and Nabi lifted Afghanistan from a wobbly start.

Naib smashed a 25-ball 35 not out while Nabi scored an undefeated 32-ball 35 as they helped Afghanistan recover from 76-6 with an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 71 after they won the toss and batted.

All six top Afghanistan batsmen were caught playing rash shots but Nabi and Naib added 54 runs in the last five overs to give their team a fighting total.

Naib hit two fours and a six off paceman Hasan Ali to take 21 off the 18th over and the pair scored 15 in the 19th bowled by Haris Rauf.

Naib's knock had four boundaries and a six while Nabi hit five boundaries.

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers with 2-25, dismissing dangerous opener Hazratullah for a five-ball duck.

Najibullah Zadran (22) and Janat (15) were other contributors.

Pakistan kept the same eleven which beat India and New Zealand in their first two matches while Afghanistan were also unchanged from their first game rout of Scotland.

The top two teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the semi-finals.

End of live thread: Pakistan win!

148-5 after 19 overs: Janat to Asif, 6 RUNS.

142-5 after 18.5 overs: Janat to Asif, 6 RUNS.

136-5 after 18.4 overs: Janat to Asif, no run.

136-5 after 18.3 overs: Janat to Asif, 6 RUNS.

130-5 after 18.2 overs: Janat to Asif, no run.

130-5 after 18.1 overs: Janat to Asif, 6 RUNS.

Shadab Khan 0 (1), Asif Ali 1 (1)

124-5 after 18 overs: Naveen to Shadab, no run.

124-5 after 17.5 overs: Naveen to Malik (19), OUT CAUGHT.

124-4 after 17.4 overs: Naveen to Malik, no run.

124-4 after 17.3 overs: Naveen to Malik, no run.

124-4 after 17.2 overs: Naveen to Asif, 1 run.

123-4 after 17.1 overs: Naveen to Malik, 1 run.

Shoaib Malik 18 (11)

122-4 after 17 overs: Rashid to Babar (51), OUT BOWLED.

122-3 after 16.5 overs: Rashid to Malik, 1 run.

121-3 after 16.4 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run.

120-3 after 16.4 overs: Rashid to Malik, 2 runs, WIDE.

118-3 after 16.3 overs: Rashid to Malik, 2 runs.

116-3 after 16.2 overs: Rashid to Malik, 6 RUNS.

110-3 after 16.1 overs: Rashid to Malik, no run.

Shoaib Malik 9 (7), Babar Azam 50 (45)

110-3 after 16 overs: Janat to Malik, 1 run.

109-3 after 15.5 overs: Janat to Malik, 4 RUNS.

105-3 after 15.4 overs: Janat to Babar, 1 run.

104-3 after 15.3 overs: Janat to Malik, 1 run.

103-3 after 15.2 overs: Janat to Babar, 1 run.

102-3 after 15.1 overs: Janat to Malik, 1 run.

Shoaib Malik 2 (3), Babar Azam 48 (43)

101-3 after 15 overs: Rashid to Malik, 1 run.

100-3 after 14.5 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run.

99-3 after 14.4 overs: Rashid to Malik, 1 run.

98-3 after 14.3 overs: Rashid to Malik, no run.

98-3 after 14.2 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run.

97-3 after 14.1 overs: Rashid to Hafeez (10), OUT CAUGHT.

Babar Azam 46 (41), Mohammad Hafeez 10 (9)

97-2 after 14 overs: Nabi to Babar, no run.

97-2 after 13.5 overs: Nabi to Babar, 2 runs.

95-2 after 13.4 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, 1 run.

94-2 after 13.3 overs: Nabi to Babar, 1 run.

93-2 after 13.2 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, 1 run.

92-2 after 13.2 overs: Nabi to Babar, 2 runs, NO BALL.

90-2 after 13.1 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, 1 run.

Babar Azam 41 (36), Mohammad Hafeez 8 (7)

89-2 after 13 overs: Rashid to Babar, no run.

89-2 after 12.5 overs: Rashid to Babar, 4 RUNS.

85-2 after 12.4 overs: Rashid to Hafeez, 1 run.

84-2 after 12.3 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run.

83-2 after 12.2 overs: Rashid to Hafeez, 1 run.

82-2 after 12.1 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run.

Mohammad Hafeez 6 (5), Babar Azam 36 (32)

81-2 after 12 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, no run.

81-2 after 11.5 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, no run.

81-2 after 11.4 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, 4 RUNS.

77-2 after 11.3 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, 2 runs.

75-2 after 11.2 overs: Nabi to Hafeez, no run.

75-2 after 11.1 overs: Nabi to Zaman (30), OUT LBW.

Babar Azam 36 (32), Fakhar Zaman 30 (24)

75-1 after 11 overs: Rashid to Babar, no run.

75-1 after 10.5 overs: Rashid to Zaman, 1 run.

74-1 after 10.4 overs: Rashid to Zaman, no run.

74-1 after 10.3 overs: Rashid to Zaman, no run.

74-1 after 10.2 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run.

73-1 after 10.1 overs: Rashid to Zaman, 1 run.

Babar Azam 35 (30), Fakhar Zaman 28 (20)

72-1 after 10 overs: Janat to Babar, 4 RUNS.

68-1 after 9.5 overs: Janat to Babar, 2 runs.

66-1 after 9.4 overs: Janat to Zaman, 1 run.

65-1 after 9.3 overs: Janat to Babar, 1 run.

64-1 after 9.2 overs: Janat to Zaman, 1 run.

63-1 after 9.1 overs: Janat to Babar, 1 run.

Babar Azam 27 (26), Fakhar Zaman 26 (18)

62-1 after 9 overs: Naveen to Babar, 1 run.

61-1 after 8.5 overs: Naveen to Babar, 2 runs.

59-1 after 8.4 overs: Naveen to Babar, 4 RUNS.

55-1 after 8.3 overs: Naveen to Zaman, 1 run.

54-1 after 8.2 overs: Naveen to Babar, 1 run.

53-1 after 8.1 overs: Naveen to Babar, 4 RUNS.

Fakhar Zaman 25 (17), Babar Azam 15 (21)

49-1 after 8 overs: Janat to Zaman, no run.

49-1 after 7.5 overs: Janat to Babar, 1 run.

48-1 after 7.4 overs: Janat to Zaman, 1 run.

47-1 after 7.3 overs: Janat to Babar, 1 run.

46-1 after 7.2 overs: Janat to Babar, 2 runs.

44-1 after 7.1 overs: Janat to Babar, no run.

Babar Azam 11 (17), Fakhar Zaman 24 (15)

44-1 after 7 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, 1 run.

43-1 after 6.5 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, 1 run.

42-1 after 6.4 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, 2 runs.

40-1 after 6.3 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, 1 run.

39-1 after 6.2 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, no run.

39-1 after 6.1 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, 1 run.

Fakhar Zaman 20 (12), Babar Azam 10 (14)

38-1 after 6 overs: Naveen to Zaman, 1 run.

37-1 after 5.5 overs: Naveen to Zaman, no run.

37-1 after 5.4 overs: Naveen to Zaman, 4 RUNS.

33-1 after 5.3 overs: Naveen to Babar, 1 run.

32-1 after 5.2 overs: Naveen to Zaman, 1 run.

31-1 after 5.1 overs: Naveen to Zaman, no run.

Babar Azam 9 (13), Fakhar Zaman 14 (7)

31-1 after 5 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, no run.

31-1 after 4.5 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, no run.

31-1 after 4.4 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, no run.

31-1 after 4.3 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, 1 run.

30-1 after 4.2 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, 1 run.

29-1 after 4.1 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, no run.

Fakhar Zaman 13 (6), Babar Azam 8 (8)

29-1 after 4 overs: Nabi to Zaman, 6 RUNS.

23-1 after 3.5 overs: Nabi to Zaman, 4 RUNS.

19-1 after 3.4 overs: Nabi to Babar, 1 run.

18-1 after 3.3 overs: Nabi to Zaman, 1 run.

17-1 after 3.2 overs: Nabi to Babar, 1 run.

16-1 after 3.1 overs: Nabi to Zaman, 1 run.

Babar Azam 6 (6), Fakhar Zaman 1 (2)

15-1 after 3 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, 2 runs.

13-1 after 2.5 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, 1 run.

12-1 after 2.4 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, no run.

12-1 after 2.3 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan (8), OUT CAUGHT.

12-0 after 2.2 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, no run.

12-0 after 2.1 overs: Mujeeb to Babar, 1 run.

Mohammad Rizwan 8 (8), Babar Azam 3 (4)

11-0 after 2 overs: Nabi to Rizwan, 4 RUNS.

7-0 after 1.5 overs: Nabi to Rizwan, no run.

7-0 after 1.4 overs: Nabi to Babar, 1 run.

6-0 after 1.3 overs: Nabi to Rizwan, 1 run.

5-0 after 1.2 overs: Nabi to Babar, 1 run.

4-0 after 1.1 overs: Nabi to Rizwan, 1 run.

Mohammad Rizwan 2 (4), Babar Azam 1 (2)

3-0 after 1 over: Mujeeb to Rizwan, 1 run.

2-0 after 0.5 over: Mujeeb to Rizwan, no run.

2-0 after 0.4 over: Mujeeb to Babar, 1 run.

1-0 after 0.3 over: Mujeeb to Babar, no run.

1-0 after 0.2 over: Mujeeb to Rizwan, 1 run.

0-0 after 0.1 over: Mujeeb to Rizwan, no run.

Story at the break: Afghanistan were well and truly the second-best team for large swathes of the innings as a combination of fierce pace and shrewd spin from Pakistan kept their runs in check, and had them on the ropes at 76-6 in the 13th over. Then, captain Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib formed an unbeaten 71-run partnership, which included monstrous last three overs, in which they bled Pakistan for 43 runs. In the end, they finished with 147-7.

End of the innings

Gulbadin Naib 35 (25) Mohammad Nabi 35 (32)

147-6 after 20 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 1 run.

146-6 after 20 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 1 run NO BALL.

145-6 after 19.5 overs: Shaheen to Nabi, 1 run.

144-6 after 19.4 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 1 run.

143-6 after 19.3 overs: Shaheen to Nabi, 1 run.

142-6 after 19.2 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 1 run.

141-6 after 19.1 overs: Shaheen to Nabi, 1 run.

Gulbadin Naib 33 (21), Mohammad Nabi 32 (29)

140-6 after 19 overs: Rauf to Gulbadin, 4 RUNS.

136-6 after 18.5 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 1 run.

135-6 after 18.4 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 4 RUNS.

131-6 after 18.3 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 4 RUNS.

127-6 after 18.2 overs: Rauf to Gulbadin, 1 run.

126-6 after 18.1 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 1 run.

Mohammad Nabi 22 (25), Gulbadin Naib 28 (19)

125-6 after 18 overs: Hasan to Nabi, 1 run.

124-6 after 18 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, 2 runs NO BALL.

122-6 after 17.5 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, 4 RUNS.

118-6 after 17.4 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, 2 runs.

116-6 after 17.3 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, 2 runs.

114-6 after 17.2 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, 4 RUNS.

110-6 after 17.1 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, 6 RUNS.

Gulbadin Naib 9 (13), Mohammad Nabi 21 (24)

104-6 after 17 overs: Rauf to Gulbadin, 1 run.

103-6 after 16.5 overs: Rauf to Gulbadin, no run.

103-6 after 16.4 overs: Rauf to Gulbadin, no run.

103-6 after 16.3 overs: Rauf to Gulbadin, no run.

103-6 after 16.2 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 1 run.

102-6 after 16.1 overs: Rauf to Gulbadin, 1 run.

Mohammad Nabi 20 (23), Gulbadin Naib 7 (8)

101-6 after 16 overs: Shaheen to Nabi, no run.

101-6 after 15.5 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 1 run.

100-6 after 15.4 overs: Shaheen to Nabi, 1 run.

99-6 after 15.3 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 1 run.

98-6 after 15.2 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 4 RUNS.

94-6 after 15.2 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, 1 run WIDE.

93-6 after 15.1 overs: Shaheen to Gulbadin, no run.

Gulbadin Naib 1 (4), Mohammad Nabi 19 (21)

93-6 after 15 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, 1 run.

92-6 after 14.5 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, no run.

92-6 after 14.4 overs: Hasan to Gulbadin, no run.

92-6 after 14.3 overs: Hasan to Nabi, 1 run.

91-6 after 14.2 overs: Hasan to Nabi, no run.

91-6 after 14.1 overs: Hasan to Nabi, 4 RUNS.

87-6 after 14.1 overs: Hasan to Nabi, 1 run WIDE.

Mohammad Nabi 14 (18), Gulbadin Naib 0 (1)

86-6 after 14 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 1 run.

85-6 after 13.5 overs: Rauf to Nabi, no run.

85-6 after 13.4 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 4 RUNS.

81-6 after 13.4 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 1 run WIDE.

80-6 after 13.3 overs: Rauf to Nabi, no run.

80-6 after 13.2 overs: Rauf to Nabi, no run.

80-6 after 13.1 overs: Rauf to Nabi, 4 RUNS.

Gulbadin Naib 0 (1), Mohammad Nabi 5 (12)

76-6 after 13 overs: Shadab to Gulbadin, no run.

76-6 after 12.5 overs: Shadab to Najib (22), OUT CAUGHT BEHIND.

76-5 after 12.4 overs: Shadab to Najib, 6 RUNS.

70-5 after 12.3 overs: Shadab to Nabi, 1 run.

69-5 after 12.2 overs: Shadab to Nabi, no run.

69-5 after 12.1 overs: Shadab to Nabi, 2 runs.

Mohammad Nabi 2 (9), Najibullah Zadran 16 (19)

67-5 after 12 overs: Hasan to Najib, no run.

67-5 after 11.5 overs: Hasan to Najib, no run.

67-5 after 11.4 overs: Hasan to Najib, no run.

67-5 after 11.3 overs: Hasan to Najib, no run.

67-5 after 11.2 overs: Hasan to Najib, no run.

67-5 after 11.1 overs: Hasan to Najib, no run.

Mohammad Nabi 2 (9), Najibullah Zadran 16 (13)

67-5 after 11 overs: Shadab to Nabi, no run.

67-5 after 10.5 overs: Shadab to Nabi, no run.

67-5 after 10.4 overs: Shadab to Nabi, no run.

67-5 after 10.3 overs: Shadab to Nabi, no run.

67-5 after 10.2 overs: Shadab to Najib, 1 run.

66-5 after 10.1 overs: Shadab to Nabi, 1 run.

Najibullah Zadran 15 (12), Mohammad Nabi 1 (4)

65-5 after 10 overs: Imad to Najib, no run.

65-5 after 9.5 overs: Imad to Nabi, 1 run.

64-5 after 9.4 overs: Imad to Nabi, no run.

64-5 after 9.3 overs: Imad to Nabi, no run.

64-5 after 9.2 overs: Imad to Nabi, no run.

64-5 after 9.1 overs: Imad to Janat (15), OUT CAUGHT.

Najibullah Zadran 15 (11), Karim Janat 15 (16)

64-4 after 9 overs: Shadab to Najib, 4 RUNS.

60-4 after 8.5 overs: Shadab to Najib, no run.

60-4 after 8.4 overs: Shadab to Najib, no run.

60-4 after 8.3 overs: Shadab to Najib, 4 RUNS.

56-4 after 8.2 overs: Shadab to Najib, no run.

56-4 after 8.1 overs: Shadab to Janat, 1 run.

Najibullah Zadran 7 (6), Karim Janat 14 (15)

55-4 after 8 overs: Imad to Najib, 2 runs.

53-4 after 7.5 overs: Imad to Janat, 1 run.

52-4 after 7.4 overs: Imad to Janat, no run.

52-4 after 7.3 overs: Imad to Najib, 1 run.

51-4 after 7.2 overs: Imad to Najib, no run.

51-4 after 7.1 overs: Imad to Najib, no run.

Karim Janat 13 (13), Najibullah Zadran 4 (2)

51-4 after 7 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

51-4 after 6.5 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

51-4 after 6.4 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

51-4 after 6.3 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

51-4 after 6.2 overs: Shadab to Janat, 2 runs.

49-4 after 6.1 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

Najibullah Zadran 4 (2), Karim Janat 11 (7)

49-4 after 6 overs: Hasan to Najib, 4 RUNS.

45-4 after 5.5 overs: Hasan to Najib, no run.

45-4 after 5.4 overs: Hasan to Janat, 1 run NO BALL.

44-4 after 5.3 overs: Hasan to Janat, no run. , 44-4 after 5.3 overs: Hasan to Janat, 1 run.

43-4 after 5.2 overs: Hasan to Janat, 4 RUNS.

39-4 after 5.1 overs: Hasan to Rahmanullah (10), OUT CAUGHT.

Karim Janat 6 (3), Rahmanullah Gurbaz 10 (6)

39-3 after 5 overs: Rauf to Janat, 6 RUNS.

33-3 after 4.5 overs: Rauf to Janat, no run.

33-3 after 4.4 overs: Rauf to Janat, no run.

33-3 after 4.3 overs: Rauf to Rahmanullah (10), OUT CAUGHT.

33-2 after 4.2 overs: Rauf to Rahmanullah, 1 run.

32-2 after 4.1 overs: Rauf to Rahmanullah, 2 runs.

Asghar Afghan 10 (6), Rahmanullah Gurbaz 7 (4)

30-2 after 4 overs: Imad to Afghan, 4 RUNS.

26-2 after 3.5 overs: Imad to Afghan, 6 RUNS,

20-2 after 3.4 overs: Imad to Afghan, no run.

20-2 after 3.3 overs: Imad to Afghan, no run.

20-2 after 3.2 overs: Imad to Rahmanullah, 1 run.

19-2 after 3.1 overs: Imad to Rahmanullah, 6 RUNS.

Asghar Afghan 0 (2), Rahmanullah Gurbaz 0 (2)

13-2 after 3 overs: Shaheen to Afghan, no run.

13-2 after 2.5 overs: Shaheen to Afghan, no run.

13-2 after 2.4 overs: Shaheen to Shahzad (8), OUT CAUGHT.

13-1 after 2.3 overs: Shaheen to Shahzad, no run.

13-1 after 2.2 overs: Shaheen to Shahzad, 4 RUNS.

9-1 after 2.2 overs: Shaheen to Shahzad, 1 run, WIDE.

8-1 after 2.1 overs: Shaheen to Shahzad, no run.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz 0 (2), Mohammad Shahzad 4 (5)

8-1 after 2 overs: Imad to Rahmanullah, no run.

8-1 after 1.5 overs: Imad to Rahmanullah, no run.

8-1 after 1.4 overs: Imad to Shahzad, 1 run.

7-1 after 1.3 overs: Imad to Zazai (0), OUT.

7-0 after 1.2 overs: Imad to Zazai, no run.

7-0 after 1.1 overs: Imad to Shahzad, 1 run.

6-0 after 1.1 overs: Imad to Shahzad, 1 run, WIDE.

Hazratullah Zazai 0 (3), Mohammad Shahzad 2 (3)

5-0 after 1 over: Shaheen to Zazai, no run.

5-0 after 0.5 over: Shaheen to Shahzad, 1 run.

4-0 after 0.4 over: Shaheen to Zazai, 1 run.

3-0 after 0.3 over: Shaheen to Shahzad, 1 run.

2-0 after 0.2 over: Shaheen to Shahzad, no run.

2-0 after 0.1 over: Shaheen to Zazai, 1 run.

1-0 after 0.1 over: Shaheen to Zazai, 1 run WIDE.

0-0 after 0 over: The first ball of the match is about to be bowled.

6:53pm: National anthems are playing.

6:36pm: Here is the match poll:

6:35pm: Playing XIs are in:

Pakistan XI: 1 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 2 Babar Azam (capt), 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Asif Ali, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Afghanistan XI: 1 Hazratullah Zazai, 2 Mohammad Shahzad, 3 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 4 Najibullah Zadran, 5 Mohammad Nabi (capt), 6 Asghar Afghan, 7 Gulbadin Naib, 8 Karim Janat, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Mujeeb-ur-Rahman.

6:31pm: Babar Azam has lost the toss but will still get to chase as Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi has decide to bat first.

6:27:pm: We are minutes away from the toss. Will Babar Azam be lucky for the third straight time?

6:06pm: Oddsmakers at Bet365 have installed Pakistan as heavy favourites for the match.

Furthermore, Pakistan are now the favourites to go all the way and clinch the World Cup trophy.

6:05pm: Check out Pakistani fans asking their countrymen to behave and be respectful as Afghanistan match nears.

6:04pm: Read Dawn.com's editorial that says political tensions will likely be high in tonight's match.

6:03pm: See Afghanistan's star spinner Rashid Khan's plea for fans to behave after violence during 2019 clash.

6:02pm: Read the five top reasons why Pakistan should not take Afghanistan lightly in tonight's match.

6:01pm: Check out Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi thoughts on what success for the team will mean for Afghans back home amid a period of difficulty and hardship.

6:00pm: This is the start of Dawn.com's live thread.

T20 World Cup 2021
Sport

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Comments (82) Closed
Fastrack
Oct 29, 2021 06:13pm
With haters defeated and running away from Afghanistan, we have cleared our hearts. Go both teams.
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Anonymouseee
Oct 29, 2021 06:23pm
Team GREEN for the win inshallah.
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 07:04pm
Who will PMIK and FMQ support?
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Umari
Oct 29, 2021 07:58pm
Fair play to Afghanistan they are up against the best. Good practice for them.
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Umari
Oct 29, 2021 07:59pm
We love you Afghanistan - always.
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 08:18pm
Like to meet Afghans in final.
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Fawad bhai
Oct 29, 2021 08:19pm
Looks like Shaheen is cheering for both sides too with all the wides and leg side bowls
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FAZ
Oct 29, 2021 08:47pm
Why hafeez did not bowl?
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Joseph1
Oct 29, 2021 09:14pm
This World Cup, most games play second and win, as batting is little difficult in the first inning while easier in second innings. Lucky for Pakistan, Afghanistan let Pakistan play second.
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 09:27pm
Babar’s strike rate is poor
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 09:28pm
Zaman should captain for his positive attitude
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Sami
Oct 29, 2021 09:50pm
Pakistan Afghanistan blood relatives forever..hope this match bring happiness on their faces
Recommend 0
Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 09:56pm
What a player, what a player. Rashid Khan is once in a life time player
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Cye
Oct 29, 2021 10:09pm
Hafeez should retire now.
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 10:20pm
Babar is the reason for the loss
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 10:27pm
Indian agent Shoaib is losing it
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Akram
Oct 29, 2021 10:36pm
@Rahim, Karachi, “ Babar is the reason for the loss” What loss?
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A Shah
Oct 29, 2021 10:36pm
@Rahim, Karachi, do you think before commenting......his captiancy has proved to be best captiancy pakistan has seen in recent years
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Changez Khan
Oct 29, 2021 10:38pm
Awesome!!! The amazing perfect green shirts. Congratulates.
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Hope786
Oct 29, 2021 10:38pm
That's how we do it. You challenge Pakistan and we will hand you a defeat. We are the unpredictable, we do unthinkable, we are PAKISTAN.
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Hope786
Oct 29, 2021 10:39pm
All those who use to call Pak victories as fluke, they can now " fluke them self. Did you get the message insane by hate commenters?
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Ali Naqvi
Oct 29, 2021 10:41pm
Alhumdulliah! Good game Afghans.
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Jamil Soomro, New York City
Oct 29, 2021 10:41pm
Once again the Hero of Pakistan remember the name the great Asif Ali. Congratulations for doing the impossible. Congratulations to Pakistan Team.
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scam
Oct 29, 2021 10:43pm
Can anyone explain why Hafeez is still there in the Team after 30 years?
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Hansoti sh
Oct 29, 2021 10:45pm
@Rahim, Karachi, cricket , because they see the big picture of positive regional cooperation
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THE
Oct 29, 2021 10:45pm
Where did they make Asif Ali?? He's superhuman!!
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Sach
Oct 29, 2021 10:47pm
What a thriller. Afghanistan is a better team than Ind & NZ.
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pakpro
Oct 29, 2021 10:50pm
Asif Ali is a monster. Afghanistan played really well. India will be humiliated by Afghanistan since they are a C level team at best, slightly better than a D level team Bangladesh.
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ANSER AZIM
Oct 29, 2021 10:51pm
Simply wow Asif Ali!! Another Afridi born!!
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Hamed
Oct 29, 2021 10:53pm
Still my humble respect for the Afghanis!
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AKRAM
Oct 29, 2021 10:53pm
Indians please dont worry, this was just another fluke.
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Usman Kaleem
Oct 29, 2021 10:54pm
Pakistan Zindabad
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scam
Oct 29, 2021 10:56pm
Why Hafeez?
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Alih Kazmi
Oct 29, 2021 10:57pm
Great game by the Afghan team, everybody wins, sports are supposed to be like that.
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Raja Farhat Abbas
Oct 29, 2021 10:59pm
Asif Ali hunts the hunters he smashed it!
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 29, 2021 11:04pm
@A Shah, think before writing. Spelling mistakes can’t be pardoned.
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Raja Farhat Abbas
Oct 29, 2021 11:06pm
@Joseph1, Batting first or second Pakistan wins!
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Kris
Oct 29, 2021 11:07pm
Asif Ali - What a player! Reminded me of Yuvraj Singh in his prime. Hitting sixes at will. For Afghanistan, Nabi and Rashid should have bowled the last two overs. Their lack of experience probably played a role here. Well played Pakistan! Hoping for an Indo-Pak final.
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Leena
Oct 29, 2021 11:09pm
Afghanistan will defeat India with the help Inzamam on line coaching.
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Prof Sayed Lakhte Hassnain Zaidi
Oct 29, 2021 11:09pm
@Umari , Yes Afghanistan have proved the future champions of world of cricket. They played remarkable well.
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Ali da Malanga
Oct 29, 2021 11:11pm
@Rahim, Karachi - "Babar’s strike rate is poor" Babar is an anchor, not a slugger.
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SJ
Oct 29, 2021 11:15pm
Pakistan won, as expected. We can and will win the T20 World Cup as well!
Recommend 0
Tom
Oct 29, 2021 11:17pm
@Cye, hafeez should join Imran khan now
Recommend 0
Kaspar
Oct 29, 2021 11:17pm
Going is good, so far. Hope for World Cup growing!
Recommend 0
Tom
Oct 29, 2021 11:18pm
Well done Pakistan— we sport cricket
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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Oct 29, 2021 11:22pm
What did Hafeez do against India and New Zealand. Sarfraz would have scored more than him or even a new comer for that matter had been better than Hafeez who is an absolute burden and he must be shipped back to Pakistan if we want to lift the cup. Shame on Hafeez whom Asif has shown the mirror though Asif is too junior to Hafeez both in age and experience to be honest but he did what 3 captains (Babar + Shoaib + Hafeez) could not do alike. Who disagrees with me? zaidi.formerdiplomat@hotmail.com
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atif
Oct 29, 2021 11:27pm
Where is M Emad today?
Recommend 0
Dr. Rafiq Khan
Oct 29, 2021 11:33pm
Condolences to india and indian tv sets.
Recommend 0
GreenAura
Oct 29, 2021 11:34pm
Poor BCCI and Indian cricket fans. Their bhai-bhai romance with Emiratis combined with their pandemic mismanagement that together have created this home world cup for Pakistan will bite them hard.
Recommend 0
Waseem
Oct 29, 2021 11:36pm
Well played Afghans but happy that our team won. Congratulation to both.
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Texan
Oct 29, 2021 11:52pm
Hafeez and Hasan Ali are the weak links. The match shouldn't have reached the complexity it did.
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mbawmba
Oct 29, 2021 11:54pm
Pakistan Zinadabad!
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Abbas shah
Oct 30, 2021 12:09am
Asif Ali you’re superb.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Oct 30, 2021 12:12am
Well played greenshirts. As always, keep it up and hang on tough.
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Imran
Oct 30, 2021 12:12am
Well done Afghanistan. Well done Pakistan.
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Abbas shah
Oct 30, 2021 12:14am
The first fifteen over game ,thought they were back in the past shortcomings, be swift always.
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Ghani K
Oct 30, 2021 12:25am
Afghanistan & Cricket ! Any sports they were famous was Buzkashi , kudos to them for playing so well.
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Sajjad
Oct 30, 2021 12:32am
Great show put up by both. Afghanistan cricket team should never be taken easy.
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Sami
Oct 30, 2021 12:33am
..This time for Pakistan..
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Erum Aziz
Oct 30, 2021 12:50am
Afghans are not like Indians. They behaved better than Indians. Pretty much impressive. Indian burnt down Muslims properties, took many lives just because of a single game how civilized are Indians?
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JackJones
Oct 30, 2021 01:04am
Did Babar Azam deliberately get out to let Asif Ali in because Asif has an amazing run rate on fast bowlers versus spinners? If that was his intention and thinking it is ingenious and amazing captaincy. Babar and Asif rock!!!!
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 30, 2021 01:13am
What happens if WC T20I is cancelled due to COVID outbreak? Will they announce Pakistan as the champions on account of highest points?
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Rahim, Karachi
Oct 30, 2021 01:15am
Now Afghans are scarred to tour the nation.
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John
Oct 30, 2021 01:22am
Set format - Bat second and win the match. Afghanistan lost it the moment they chose to bat first. Still gave a tough fight despite having lack of resources.
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Dr No
Oct 30, 2021 02:06am
What a game. Well played pakistan. Special mention for the afghan player who walked off after a snick. Excellent sportsman ship.
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youshay khan
Oct 30, 2021 02:07am
@Sach, afghanistan will prove you are absolutely correct. They dare to win. A better team, definitely.
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MA
Oct 30, 2021 03:23am
Great win. Always appreciate both win and lose in the game.
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Shahid
Oct 30, 2021 04:06am
We won but overall Afghanistan was the better team today. In my books, they are a favorite to play in the semifinals. Rashid and Mujeeb are a treat to watch.
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Imtiaz Ali Khan
Oct 30, 2021 04:31am
Win or lose love to Afghanistan from Pakistan. No one cares about negativity from anyone. Love is the answer for all humans. IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life! PakAfghan Blood Brothers 4 Life!
Recommend 0
khabboo
Oct 30, 2021 05:23am
Rahim, Karachi about 8 hours ago Zaman should captain for his positive attitude Does he know anything about captaincy? In the NZ match he struggled - where was the positive attitude?
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khabboo
Oct 30, 2021 05:24am
Rahim, Karachi about 8 hours ago Babar’s strike rate is poor More than good enough if you're allowing others to play around you.
Recommend 0
Imran
Oct 30, 2021 07:20am
Hasan Ali most expensive bowler in every match so far. Is he the one who may cause a loss in knock out matches?
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Emraan UK
Oct 30, 2021 08:21am
Remember the name Afghans " Asif Ali Punjabi"
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Rock Solid
Oct 30, 2021 09:54am
Congratulations, very well played!!
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Rock Solid
Oct 30, 2021 09:55am
Afghanistan put up a good and and were brave in the contest, no meek surrender, well done
Recommend 0
Rock Solid
Oct 30, 2021 09:56am
@Sach, sach??
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Nasir Durani
Oct 30, 2021 10:07am
Pakistan needs some one like Ejaz Ahmed and Inzamam for 2 & 3 position batting order. The current batsman are playing wrong shots and giving up to the rival team's tactics.
Recommend 0
SKZ
Oct 30, 2021 11:14am
@GreenAura, I am from Pakistan but I recommend you to refrain comments by mixing up unrelated matters here. Just sports.please.
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Tariq Rashid
Oct 30, 2021 12:50pm
@atif, Emad is trying to overcome the BD defeat from WI.. He will comment once gets over it..
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atif
Oct 30, 2021 12:54pm
@Emraan UK , I thought asif ali was a Pakistani?? Please grow up
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Imran Nisar
Oct 30, 2021 02:52pm
@Rahim, Karachi, grow up.
Recommend 0
Imran Nisar
Oct 30, 2021 02:52pm
@ AKRAM, 3 flukes in a row, India will be out of the cup by this time next week.
Recommend 0

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