The result of the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan will determine the destiny of the Indian squad, which suffered back-to-back losses in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2022.
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In a thrilling one-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Wednesday, Pakistan’s tailender Naseem Shah struck two last-over sixes, eliminating rival India and setting up an Asia Cup final versus Sri Lanka.
When Pakistan, who was chasing 130, was in deep trouble at 118-9 and number 10 Naseem drove two strokes over the fence off Fazalhaq Farooqi to win in Sharjah with four balls remaining, the hopes of India and Afghanistan making it to the final were destroyed.
When Farooqi, who had figures of 3-19 from his first three overs, saw two full tosses at the start of the final over dispatched over long-off, the Afghans appeared to be heading for victory. When Fareed Ahmad struck twice in the 19th over, including by removing the powerful Asif Ali, tempers rose. As the umpire tried to calm Asif Ali down, he waved his bat violently in the bowler’s direction.
When Afghanistan batted first, their innings never really got going since, aside from Ibrahim Zadran, who made a 35-run contribution, no other batter was able to make a meaningful one. As a result, Afghanistan’s innings concluded with a dismal score of 129/6. All five of Pakistan’s bowlers recorded wickets, with Haris Rauf standing out with 2/26. Afghanistan’s defense of a modest score got off to a fantastic start when skipper Babar Azam was out for a golden duck on the second delivery of the innings by Fazalhaq Farooqi. After Fakhar Zaman was run out three overs later, Pakistan quickly fell to 18/2.