On Sunday, March 26, Afghanistan created history yet again as they defeated Pakistan in the second T20I of the three-match series in Sharjah and gained an unassailable 2-0 lead to register their first-ever series win in any format over Pakistan.
Previously Afghanistan had defeated the Men in Green led by Shadab Khan for the first time in any format in the first T20I and now with a hard-fought win in the second match, they entered history books.
Aiming to level the series, Shadab Khan won the toss and chose that Pakistan would bat first. But the Afghan bowlers reduced the Men in Green to 60/4 in 10 overs with Fazalhaq Farooqui taking the wickets of Saim Ayub (0) and Abdullah Shafique (0). Shafique became the first batter to register four consecutive ducks in Men’s T20Is.
However, experienced Imad Wasim made 64* in 57 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes and captain Shadab made 32 in 25 balls to take Pakistan to 130/6 in 20 overs.
In reply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz started well with 44 in 49 balls and added 56 runs with Ibrahim Zadran (38) for the second wicket. With 30 runs needed in 18 balls, Afghanistan lost Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi joined Najibullah Zadran in the middle.
Naseem Shah faltered in the crucial 19th over when 22 runs were needed but ended up conceding 17 runs with two sixes. While Zaman Khan tried his best to defend 5 runs, a misfield from Ihsanullah enabled Afghanistan to gain four runs and the victory in the second T20I by 7 wickets and a 2-0 series lead.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for the efforts put by the Afghanistan team to win the series and also spoke about the Pakistan team’s performance.
Here are the tweets:
