Chasing 258 against Afghanistan, Pakistan lost wickets like nine pins but until they had Shoaib Malik at the crease, a positive result could still be possible.
That's exactly happened as Malik used his experience and remained calm and composed as he took Pakistan to an excellent three-wicket win on Friday.
As Malik successfully steered Pakistan to a sweet victory and broke Afghan hearts, comparison to the legendary finisher in limited-overs cricket, MS Dhoni, poured on Social Media. Even former Pakistani fast bowler, Wasim Akram, made that comparison.
“Experience has no substitute... Shoaib Malik proved it against a spirited Afghanistan.Did a Dhoni like finish ... when Malik faced a bowler, he had no expression on his face and that frustrates a bowler because he doesn’t know what to expect... wonderful knock @realshoaibmalik,” Wasim Akram wrote on his Twitter handle.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first in humid conditions at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. They managed to score 257 for 6 in 50 overs thanks to Hashmatullah Shahidi's unbeaten 97 and skipper Asghar Afghan's 67. Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with three wickets for 57 runs.
In reply, Pakistan looked on course for the most part before Afghanistan pulled things back. At the start, Fakhar Zaman fell for another duck, but the innings was resurrected due to Imam-ul-Haq's 80 and Babar Azam's 66.
Rashid Khan, the brightest young talent in world cricket, brought Afghanistan back in the game by picking three wickets. It looked like Pakistan wouldn't be able to get over the line but Malik had other plans. The veteran right-hander dug deep to remain unbeaten on 51 and take his team home with three balls to spare.
India are set to face Pakistan for the second time this Asia Cup 2018 on Sunday in their Super Four clash. It'll be the clash between pacers and now we have another criterion to keep an eye on who will remain the calmer one and finish it for his side - Dhoni or Malik?
