Afghanistan produced a spirited all-round display to defeat Pakistan by 18 runs in the 4th match of the UAE T20I Tri-Series at Sharjah. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted a solid total of 169/5 in 20 overs, built around a commanding 113-run partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal. Both struck fluent half-centuries, mixing patience with aggressive stroke play to keep the scoreboard moving and frustrate the Pakistan bowlers.
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Pakistan’s bowlers found their rhythm late in the innings, with Faheem Ashraf leading the fightback through a superb spell that yielded four wickets. His efforts ensured Afghanistan did not push past 180, giving Pakistan a chaseable target.
In reply, Pakistan started steadily but struggled once Afghanistan’s spinners entered the attack. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad applied relentless pressure, collectively picking up six wickets. Their tight lines and clever variations made it difficult for Pakistan to build momentum, especially in the middle overs.
Despite brief resistance from the middle and lower order, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 151/9 in 20 overs. The chase fizzled out under mounting scoreboard pressure, as Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained composure and discipline to close out the contest.
The victory not only leveled the tri-series but also highlighted Afghanistan’s growing maturity in the shortest format. With strong batting contributions and exceptional spin bowling, they showcased their ability to match and overcome high-quality opposition on the big stage.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan - 169/5 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran - 65, Faheem Ashraf - 4/27) defeated Pakistan - 151/9 in 20 overs (Haris Rauf - 34*, Mohammad Nabi - 2/20) by a margin of 18 runs
