Afghanistan registered a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I at Sharjah on Sunday (March 26) to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

It was a historic moment for the Afghanistan cricket team as it was their maiden series win over Pakistan in any form of the game.

After the match, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who is known for his outspoken comments, congratulated the Afghanistan team in his unique style.

“I am very happy. If Pathans and Bengalis channelise their energy, they can become world’s leading communities. Because both have extremism in them. If extremism can be channelised positively, with maturity, they can become world’s best. I am very happy that our Pathan brothers have won,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

He hailed Afghanistan as a “formidable” team and expects them to do well in the ODI World Cup, slated to be held in India later this year.

“Afghanistan is a formidable side. Their spinners are great. Mohammad Nabi bowled well. All their spinners are mysteries. With these mystery spinners, Afghanistan is going to be one of the best teams in the world cup to be held in India.”

Shoaib Akhtar also had a message for Pakistan’s stand-in captain Shadab Khan.

“Make a strong comeback. Make sure you give tough competition to Afghanistan. It might seem difficult but Afghanistan have played some tough cricket. It’s nice to see them win against Pakistan for first time – and it make me happy that they did it with playing matured cricket. Afghanistan needs good news all the time. I get a lot of phone calls from Afghanistan friends. I want to come to Kabul.”

The third and final T20I is scheduled to be played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday (March 27).