| 0.0 : It's time for the Super Fours and we are in for a double-header clash, with India taking on Bangladesh and Pakistan will lock horns against Afghanistan. We welcome you to the cover of the game between the talented, Pakistan and the ever so energetic, Afghanistan. Pakistan would like to come back to winning ways after their humiliating defeat against India. |
| TOSS - Up goes the coin and lands in favor of Afghanistan. They elect to bat first. |
| The Afghanistan captain, Asghar Afghan says that today they have one change, Najibullah Zadran comes in for Shenwari. Adds further that they were tired yesterday but still want to play cricket and tiredness doesn't matter. Ends by saying that they want to play good and positive cricket. |
| The Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed says that they also wanted to bat first but the coin toss is not in their control. Mentions that they have made three changes. Shadab Khan is not fit so Mohammad Nawaz makes his way in. Also informs that Mohammad Amir is not playing and Shaheen Afridi makes his debut while Haris Sohail comes in for Faheem Ashraf. Feels that they have to play a different type of game with positive intent. Ends by saying that they have made a couple of plans to counter the quali |
| The teams are making their way out for their respective national anthems. |
| Done and dusted with the national anthems and now we are moments away from the first ball being bowled. Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah are the openers for Afghanistan. The former will be on strike and he will be facing Usman Khan who will bowl with the first new ball. He has two slips in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : U Khan to M Shahzad, A beauty to start with! Also some swing and some good zip off the surface. Khan bowls it around off, it shapes away a touch. Shahzad goes after it right away but gets beaten. The Afghanistan batsmen are in for a real test today against these extremely good Pakistan bowler. |
| Action straightaway! An appeal for an LBW has been turned down and Pakistan have gone for the review. Shahzad is the man in question, pitching is an issue. |
| 0.2 : U Khan to M Shahzad, But guess what! It is a NO BALL! Khan has overstepped, so the pitching, the impact, etc...nothing matters. Usman comes steaming in and lands it on a length around the leg pole. It skids through and Shahzad fails to get bat on it. The ball hits him on the pad and the players appeal. The umpire shakes his head. Sarfraz, after a long chat, goes for the review. But the first replay shows that Usman has overstepped. So that is that. However, Pakistan do not lose a review. Al |
| U Khan to M Shahzad, FOUR! Takes a full toll of it! Off the mark in style. That has been smashed. Shahzad makes room and hits it through wide mid off and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 0.3 : U Khan to M Shahzad, Outside edge but safe! Another length ball around off, it shapes away a touch. Shahzad goes after it but gets an outside edge down to third man to change strike. |
| 0.4 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, On the stumps, no swing this time. Ihsanullah works it to square leg. |
| 0.5 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, A little too wide outside off, the batsman makes a leave. |
| 0.6 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, Another one, way too wide outside off. I do not think Ihsanullah will go after it. End of an action-packed first over. A good one for Afghanistan, you can say. |
| Shaheen Afridi, the debutant, to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. A very exciting young prospect. |
| 1.1 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Back of a length on off, Shahzad pushes it to the man at covers. |
| 1.2 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Again hits the length hard around off, Shahzad defends it solidly. |
| 1.3 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Edged again but safe again! Typical Shahzad type of a shot, that. It was there to be hit, full and wide outside off. MS goes for it but gets an outside edge down to third man for a run. |
| 1.4 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, Back of a length delivery around off, Ihsanullah punches it to the man at covers. Confident looking shot, that. |
| 1.5 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, This one though was not very convincing. Another length delivery around off, Ihsanullah tries to punch it through the off side but gets it off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 1.6 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, Ihsanullah gets underway now! A touch fuller around off, Ihsanullah goes for a drive but gets an outside edge down to third man for a run. So a good start by Afridi. We have already seen quite a few edges but nothing has resulted in a wicket. |
| 2.1 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, On a length and around middle, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 2.2 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, Beautiful drive but for no runs! Fuller in length, the swing seems to have disappeared. Ihsanullah lunges and strokes it right off the middle but to mid off. |
| 2.3 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, On the stumps now, Ihsanullah gets behind the line and punches it back to the bowler. He looks confident today. Afghanistan would love for him to get going. |
| 2.4 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, Again a nice looking shot to the cover fielder. He is hitting the middle but now needs to find the gaps a little. That would probably raise his confidence even more. |
| 2.5 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, In the air... but safe! This is slightly short and on middle by Usman. It angles away. Ihsanullah tries to pull it, maybe not the right option against a bowler who is angling it away. The ball takes the top edge and lands safe over the bowler's head. The batsmen get two. |
| 2.6 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, FOUR! Classic cover drive! Any students out there watching? This is exactly how you play it! Shot of the day for Dean Jones. Full and on off, Ihsanullah gets to the pitch of the ball and creams it through covers. No stopping those. Excellent end to the over. |
| 3.1 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Hits the length hard on middle, Shahzad hops and blocks it. |
| 3.2 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, A little too straight, Shahzad clips it through square leg and runs two. |
| 3.3 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, PEACH! A little movement and good carry there! Bends his back on this one and lands it around off, the ball pitches and moves away. Also takes off. Shahzad tries to punch it but gets beaten. Afridi has such deliveries in his armory, we will see a few more as the game progresses. |
| 3.4 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, On the pads, it is worked around the corner for a run. |
| 3.5 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, It's been driven superbly through the covers but not in the gap. |
| 3.6 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, Back of a length on off, Ihsanullah stands tall and pushes it to covers. |
| 4.1 : U Khan to M Shahzad, Pitches this one around middle, Shahzad with the angle, defends it to covers. |
| 4.2 : U Khan to M Shahzad, That has been crunched but that is an excellent stop! Shortish and outside off, Shahzad cuts it hard but Imam at point, dives to his right and saves a boundary. |
| 4.3 : U Khan to M Shahzad, Back of a length around off, Shahzad guides it down to third man and takes a run. |
| 4.4 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, OHHH! This is not a good option! Ihsanullah is not learning. This is not a shot you want to play against a bowler who is angling it away. Slightly shorter in length around off, it shapes away. The batsman goes for the pull but misses. The ball hits him on the thigh pad and goes towards Sarfraz who takes it with a dive. |
| 4.5 : U Khan to Ihsanullah, Smart! This is an easier shot against the left-armer! He guides this down to third man and takes an easy run. He played it with the angle and hence, lesser the risk. |
| 4.6 : U Khan to M Shahzad, Seeing there is no swing, he changes the angle and comes around the wicket. He angles it into the batsman who works it through square leg and retains strike. |
| 5.1 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Extra bounce again. From a length around middle, it jumps onto the batsman who does well to block it safely. Shaheen will always get extra lift from the deck due to his height. |
| 5.2 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, On a good length and around off, angling away from the batsman, Shahzad punches it from the crease but finds the fielder at covers. |
| 5.3 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Once again the length is on the shorter side outside off, Shahzad packs a punch from the back foot, unfurls a square cut but fails to beat the point fielder this time. |
| 5.4 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Another fine shot from the bat of Shahzad but he is struggling to pierce the gap on the off side. A fine punch shot from the back foot finds the cover fielder. MS needs to keep his cool here. |
| 5.5 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Back of a length delivery on middle. Shahzad goes on his toes and turns it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 5.6 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, Angling it away from the batsman from the middle stump line, it's on a shortish length and Ihsanullah defends it off his back foot. |
| Mohammad Nawaz is into the attack. A spinner introduced early. |
| 6.1 : M Nawaz to M Shahzad, Good start by the spinner! Tosses it up on middle, Shahzad defends it. This is what you will get from Nawaz. He will contentiously attack the stumps. |
| 6.2 : M Nawaz to M Shahzad, Again, on the stumps, this one straightens a little. Shahzad keeps it out. |
| 6.3 : M Nawaz to M Shahzad, With the angle, Shahzad works it through square leg and takes a run. |
| 6.4 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, Fries it on the pads, Ihsanullah flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 6.5 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, Almost! The arm ball on off, it comes in with the angle. Ihsnaullah tries to defend but the ball takes the inside edge onto the pads. The bowler appeals but he is the only one doing so. |
| 6.6 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, Good use of the feet as he skips down and eases it to long off for a single. A good start by Nawaz, bowls a tight over. |
| 7.1 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, DROPPED! Not sure if Fakhar Zaman sighted that. That should have been taken! This is full and on middle, Ihsanullah tries to go over mid on but does not get the elevation. It goes uppishly towards Zaman there who reacts late, sticks a hand out but the ball pops out. He tries to take it on the second attempt but fails to hang on. Afridi is not happy and rightly so. A reprieve for Ihsanullah, can he now make Pakistan pay? |
| 7.2 : S Afridi to Ihsanullah, DROPPED AGAIN! Shaheen is not pleased. Spare a thought for the newcomer. He bangs in a short ball, targeting the body of the batsman who opts for the pull shot. Ihsanullah though fails to get it from the middle of the bat and it loops in the air towards short fine leg. Usman Khan stationed there moves across to his right, puts in a dive but fails to hold on to the catch. The batsmen cross for a run. So, two lives in two balls for Ihsanullah. Can he make Pakistan pay? |
| 7.3 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Back of a length on off, Shahzad keeps it out. |
| 7.4 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 7.5 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, From around the wicket, he bowls it full. Shahzad drives it back to the bowler. Shaheen collects it and then gives Shahzad the stare. |
| 7.6 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Flicked nicely! On the pads, Shahzad flicks it through square leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left, fumbles but then recovers well. Two taken by the batsmen. So an over which could have easily ended with 2 wickets, finishes with none. |
| 8.1 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, On the pads, Ihsanullah tries to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. An ambitious appeal but nothing from the umpire. |
| 8.2 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, Now dances down the track but a little too early. Nazaw shortens the length. The batsman misses the drive and gets hit on the pads. The pair are getting a touch fidgety out there. |
| 8.3 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, Flatter and on middle, Ihsanullah punches it to mid on. |
| 8.4 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, 4 dots! Ihsnaullah steps down the track and flicks it to mid-wicket. Pressure building here. |
| 8.5 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 5 dots, can he bowl a maiden? |
| 8.6 : M Nawaz to Ihsanullah, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Nawaz draws first blood. The pressure of dots has gotten to Ihsanullah. The frustration was creeping into him and he now perishes. Once again it is the flatter delivery on middle, it straightens a touch. Ihsnaullah tries to punch it off the back foot but does so uppishly to the bowler who accepts an easy catch moving to his right. So end of a wicket maiden and Nawaz now has figures of 2-1-2-1. |
| Rahmat Shah is the new man in. |
| 9.1 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, FOUR! Slapped away! A wicket has fallen but that is not going to change the way Shahzad bats. He sees the room outside off and attacks it with all his might. Gets it away from the middle of the bat and finds the gap at extra cover. The mid off fielder moves across to his left but he had no chance. |
| 9.2 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Angles it in line of the stumps this time, Shahzad gets behind the line and blocks. |
| 9.3 : S Afridi to M Shahzad, Shaheen runs in from 'round the wicket and drops in a short ball on off. Shahzad leans back and ramps it down to third man for one. |
| 9.4 : S Afridi to R Shah, Shaheen switches to over the wicket for the new batsman and angles across a back of a length ball on off. Rahmat remains on the back foot and defends it to the off side. |
| 9.5 : S Afridi to R Shah, Good length delivery on middle and off, Rahmat once again remains back footed to defend it back. |
| 9.6 : S Afridi to R Shah, Shortish and on off, a very tight line by Shaheen, not offering anything to the new batsman. Shah is forced to play from the back foot as he blocks it down. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 40th over. |
| 10.1 : M Nawaz to M Shahzad, OUT! One brings two and Nawaz is making an impact here. He is surely ensuring Shadab is not missed today. A beautiful delivery. He tosses it up on off, it pitches and then turns away. Shahzad goes for a drive but the ball takes an outside edge and Sarfraz behind the stumps, takes a very good catch. Nawaz is delighted as he is up and running in celebration. He will be on a hat-trick. The dangerous MS departs for another low score and Afghanistan are in a spot of bother |
| 0.0 : Hashmatullah Shahidi, the half centurion against Bangladesh yesterday, walks out to the middle. |
| 10.2 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, No hat-trick but a top shot! Seems confident this lad! First ball, it is tossed up outside off, Shahidi caresses it through covers. There is a fielder in the deep and only a run results. |
| 10.3 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Floats it up on off, a little too full this time. The batsman strokes it to mid off. |
| 10.4 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Slightly shorter on off, Shah pushes it through covers and takes a single. |
| 10.5 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Drop and run! That is exactly what Shahidi did, he defends it towards point and scampers through for a run. |
| 10.6 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and eases it to long off for a run. End of another successful over by Nawaz. |
| Spin from both ends! Shoaib Malik is into the attack. The offie, because a left-hander is out there. |
| 11.1 : S Malik to R Shah, Tosses it up on off, the batsman eases it down to long off for a run. |
| 11.2 : S Malik to H Shahidi, With the angle, Shahidi works it through mid-wicket and takes a run. This is what we will be seeing for a few overs now. The two will look to rotate it around. |
| 11.3 : S Malik to R Shah, Just like this! A full ball, it is driven to long on for a run. |
| 11.4 : S Malik to H Shahidi, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 11.5 : S Malik to H Shahidi, Slightly shorter in length on middle, Shahidi punches it down to long on for another single. Not a lot of turn for Malik or maybe he is just bowling a little too quick. |
| 11.6 : S Malik to R Shah, Works it through square leg with the turn for a run. |
| 12.1 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Another flatter delivery on middle, the batsman pushes it down to long on and gets to the other end. |
| 12.2 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Tosses it up but this time it is a touch too full. Shahidi drives it through covers for a run. |
| 12.3 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Goes a little wide of the crease and attacks the stumps, Shah pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 12.4 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Good batting this by Shah! He is not playing for the turn as there is not a lot. Once again with the angle he eases it to long on and gets to the other end. |
| 12.5 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, This is quicker and around off, Nawaz guides it towards point for a quick run. |
| 12.6 : M Nawaz to R Shah, FOUR! Top batting! Respect the good balls and pounce on the bad ball the bowler bowls. This was one, short and on middle. Shah takes full toll of it as he pulls it over the mid-wicket fielder and into the fence. A good over for Afghanistan, 8 runs come of it. |
| 13.1 : S Malik to H Shahidi, A muted appeal! Malik bowls it slower on middle, Shahidi tries to hit it a bit too square on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. Going down with the angle. |
| 13.2 : S Malik to H Shahidi, Good running! Strokes it towards covers for a quick run. |
| 13.3 : S Malik to R Shah, Slightly short and around off, Shah is a touch early into his cut shot and hence, ends up chopping it to the keeper. |
| 13.4 : S Malik to R Shah, On the stumps, kept out. |
| 13.5 : S Malik to R Shah, Floats it up on off, Rahmat hits it towards long on for a run. |
| 13.6 : S Malik to H Shahidi, Nicely played! Malik floats it up on off, Shahidi at the very last moment, opens the face of his bat and guides it through the gap between point and backward point. Not a lot of power in the shot and hence it does not go to the fence. The batsmen collect three. |
| Haris Sohail is into the attack. A left-arm spinner replacing another one. |
| 14.1 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Loopy ball on off, Shahidi pushes it towards covers. He wanted a run but is sent back. |
| 14.2 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Another tossed up ball on off, Shahidi guides it to point. |
| 14.3 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Dances down the track and hits it to long on for a run. |
| 14.4 : H Sohail to R Shah, On the shorter side but on off, the batsman cuts it to point. |
| 14.5 : H Sohail to R Shah, Gives it air on off, but lands it very full. Shah pushes it down to long off for a run. |
| 14.6 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Very wide outside off, Shahidi hits it through covers, long boundaries means it does not get to the fence. The batsmen run two. So runs have started to come here for Afghanistan. |
| Drinks! So Pakistan will be happy with how things stand now. They have also kept a hold on the run rate and have also picked up the openers. However, Rahmat Shah and Shahidi are looking to steady the ship. They are doing a good job till now but Afghanistan would want that to continue. |
| Hasan Ali is into the attack now. |
| 15.1 : H Ali to R Shah, On a length around off, the batsman defends it. |
| 15.2 : H Ali to R Shah, On the shorter side around off, Shah stands tall and defends it. |
| 15.3 : H Ali to R Shah, That was nicely played but just for a single to sweeper cover. |
| 15.4 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Just ahead of a length around off, Shahidi guides it to point. |
| 15.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Once again hits the length hard around off, Shahidi guides it down to third man and gets to the other end. |
| 15.6 : H Ali to R Shah, Fuller in length on off, the batsman drives it to mid off. A good start by Hasan, accurate lines and lengths by him. |
| 16.1 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Floats it up on off, the batsman prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 16.2 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Eases this one down to long on for a run. |
| 16.3 : H Sohail to R Shah, Another loopy ball is hit down to long off for a single. |
| 16.4 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Uses his feet but drives it back to the bowler. |
| 16.5 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, A poor delivery, short and on the pads. Sohail gets away with it as the pull finds the fielder at deep square leg for a run. |
| 16.6 : H Sohail to R Shah, Slightly shorter and outside off, the batsman cuts but finds the man at point. |
| 17.1 : H Ali to H Shahidi, From around the wicket and angles it into the batter who keeps it out. |
| 17.2 : H Ali to H Shahidi, WIDE! A bumper but it bounces above the batsman's head. Wide signaled. |
| H Ali to H Shahidi, BEATEN! Good ball! This is exactly what he is trying to do. Come running in, angle it into the batsman first and then get it to leave. That is what happened there and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 17.3 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Full and wide outside off, Shahidi tries to drive but gets an outside edge to third man. The fielder there fumbles but no extra run conceded. |
| 17.4 : H Ali to R Shah, It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single. |
| 17.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, On off, defended back to the bowler who collects it and has thrown it to the keeper. Also gives a stare but the batsman is not interested in responding back. |
| 17.6 : H Ali to H Shahidi, A yorker to end the over! Shahidi jams it out towards gully. Good field position there as now it stops the dab shot down to third man. |
| 18.1 : H Sohail to R Shah, A low full toss, the batsman strokes it down to long on for a single. |
| 18.2 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Pitches it on middle, the batsman works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 18.3 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Uses his feet and works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 18.4 : H Sohail to R Shah, A brace! Still no boundary, very hard to come by at the moment. This is very full and on middle, Shah whips it through mid-wicket and takes two. |
| 18.5 : H Sohail to R Shah, On the shorter side, the batsman cuts it through covers for a run. 39 is now the partnership. |
| 18.6 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot |
| 19.1 : H Ali to R Shah, On the middle stump, the batsman works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 19.2 : H Ali to R Shah, This has been guided nicely behind point for a couple. |
| 19.3 : H Ali to R Shah, On the off stump, coming onto the bat nicely. Shah defends it to covers. |
| 19.4 : H Ali to R Shah, The batsman has played the square drive. They have run through for a single. |
| 19.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, This is driven square on the off side for a run. |
| 19.6 : H Ali to R Shah, Around off, back of a length around off, the batsman keeps it out. The two are happy not to go for any big shots as of now. |
| Shoaib Malik is back into the attack. |
| 20.1 : S Malik to H Shahidi, On the shorter side, the batsman cuts it to point. |
| 20.2 : S Malik to H Shahidi, With the angle works it to mid-wicket. |
| 20.3 : S Malik to H Shahidi, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 20.4 : S Malik to H Shahidi, Eases this down to long off for a run. |
| 20.5 : S Malik to R Shah, Whips this off his pads through mid-wicket. The batsmen run the first one hard and complete the second too. |
| Slow going from the Afghans at the moment but this partnership is looking promising. |
| 20.6 : S Malik to R Shah, Now it is nicely driven down to long off to end the over with anothe single. |
| Mohammad Nawaz is back into the attack. |
| 21.1 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Flighted and full ball on off, Shah lunges and defends it to the off side. |
| 21.2 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Pulls his length back and lands it on off, Shah rocks back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 21.3 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Flatter and shorter on middle, Shahidi works it off his pads but finds the fielder standing in front of square leg. |
| 21.4 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Fires it in this time. It's full and on middle, Shahidi flicks it to the right side of the square leg fielder and takes a single. |
| 21.5 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Arm ball on off, skidding in after landing, Shah goes back and strokes it to sweeper cover for an easy run. 50-run stand is up now! Yesterday too, Shahidi was involved in a good partnership for the third wicket. Steady going. |
| 21.6 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Quicker and on middle, defended back to the bowler to end the over. |
| 22.1 : S Malik to R Shah, Flatter on middle, the batsman works it to mid-wicket. |
| 22.2 : S Malik to R Shah, Again gives it air on the pads, Shah flicks it to square leg. |
| 22.3 : S Malik to R Shah, FOUR! A much-needed one and very cleverly played that! He knew Malik is sticking with the leg stump line so he goes down on one knee and paddles it very fine and the ball races away. |
| 22.4 : S Malik to R Shah, Now Shah does the smart thing by flicking it through mid-wicket and taking a run. |
| 22.5 : S Malik to H Shahidi, Lovely batting! After already getting a boundary in the over, they are ensuring there are no dots as Shahidi eases it down to long off and gets to the other end. |
| 22.6 : S Malik to R Shah, Shah punches it to long off for a run. 7 from the over without taking any risk. |
| 23.1 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Slightly shorter on off, the batsman pushes it to covers. |
| 23.2 : M Nawaz to R Shah, Nicely clipped but really well fielded at the mid-wicket region. Stops the single. |
| 23.3 : M Nawaz to R Shah, On the pads again, the batsman flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 23.4 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, On the middle pole, the batsman works it to square leg. |
| 23.5 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Close shave! Shahidi tries to play a late cut with the angle. The ball though turns back in and hits him on his gloves. Probably the one ball which turned in the last few overs. |
| 23.6 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Punched off the back foot by the batsman towards covers. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| Usman Khan to have another go. |
| 24.1 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Leg bye! Errs in line and bowls it on the pads. The batsman fails to flick it and it hits the pads and goes down to the fine leg fielder, who is quite fine. A run results. |
| 24.2 : U Khan to R Shah, Shorter in length on off, Shah stands tall and keeps it out. |
| 24.3 : U Khan to R Shah, Around off, the batsman is solid in defense. The two look quite comfortable out there now. However, they will need to step on the accelerator any time soon. |
| 24.4 : U Khan to R Shah, Change in length there, the bouncer, however, comes really slow off the surface and Shah ducks under it. |
| 24.5 : U Khan to R Shah, Goes full again on off, Shahidi strokes it through covers and gets to the other end. |
| 24.6 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Good length on off, Shahidi plays it through point for a run. So a good comeback over by Khan, just 3 from it. |
| 25.1 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Flatter on off, the batsman pushes it back to the bowler. Pakistan need a wicket here. |
| 25.2 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Quicker and on middle, Shahidi with soft hands works it around the corner for a single. |
| 25.3 : M Nawaz to R Shah, OUT! In the air... dropped, no, taken! Pakistan have broken through and who gets the wicket? Any guesses? Wait, let me make it easy for you, the guy who has already taken two today. Yes, you got it right, Nawaz gets his third. This big shot was around the corner wasn't it? It does come but results in a wicket. Nawaz bowls it on middle, Shah goes for the slog sweep. But it is the wrong option as it is against the turn. The ball takes the top edge and goes high up in the a |
| Skipper Asghar Afghan walks in next. |
| 25.4 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, SIX! Ohkay, a biggie to get off the mark, that too on the first ball! The Afghanistan skipper has come out with intent. He uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and tonks it over the mid-wicket fence. Goes against the turn and connects well. Also, 100 up for Afghanistan. It has taken time to come but the good thing is, they have only lost 3 wickets. |
| 25.5 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, Floats it up again, Afghan pushes it to covers. |
| 25.6 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 26.1 : U Khan to A Afghan, Khan steams in from 'round the wickets and bangs in a steamy bouncer. Around middle and leg and Afghan ducks underneath it. |
| 26.2 : U Khan to A Afghan, Back of a length delivery outside off, shaping away a shade, Afghan lets it be. |
| 26.3 : U Khan to A Afghan, Fractionally short again, targeting the off stump, Afghan punches it firmly from the back foot but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 26.4 : U Khan to A Afghan, Hurls across a good length delivery in the channel outside off, Afghan shoulders arms. Four dot balls. |
| 26.5 : U Khan to A Afghan, Another delivery bowled with good pace. It's around off and is defended solidly from the back foot. |
| 26.6 : U Khan to A Afghan, Quality delivery. A terrific yorker, right on the money, Afghan also does well to keep it out safely. Fantastic maiden over by Usman! |
| Haris Sohail is back on. |
| 27.1 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Dances down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 27.2 : H Sohail to A Afghan, On the shorter side, Afghan cuts it through point for a run. |
| 27.3 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Drives it back to the bowler. |
| 27.4 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Eases this down to long on for a run. |
| 27.5 : H Sohail to A Afghan, With the angle, the batter works it through square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 27.6 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Another run which means 5 from the over as Shahidi flicks it through square leg for one. |
| 28.1 : U Khan to H Shahidi, FOUR! Bad ball and put away! Short and width on offer outside off, Shahidi says thank you so much and cuts it through point. A valiant effort in the deep from Afridi but in vain. So his last over was a maiden and this one begins with a boundary. |
| 28.2 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Fuller in length on middle, Shahidi strokes it to mid on. |
| 28.3 : U Khan to H Shahidi, On the pads, it is flicked to deep square leg for a run. |
| 28.4 : U Khan to A Afghan, Angles this one into the batsman, Afghan flicks it through square leg for a run. 6 runs from the over so far, they would like to make it a 10 run over here. |
| 28.5 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Good bouncer, equally well left! That was quick and it was coming into the batter. Shahidi goes down on his knees and evades the bumper. |
| 28.6 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Good length around off, HS strokes it through covers and a run is taken. |
| 29.1 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Shahidi is using his feet quite a lot, he once again does so and hits it towards square leg. He wants a run but is rightly sent back by his captain. |
| 29.2 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Flatter and on off, Shahidi pushes it to mid off. |
| 29.3 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Eases this down to long on for a run. |
| 29.4 : H Sohail to A Afghan, Another dot! This is driven to covers. Sarfraz behind the stumps, says there is a big shot coming. |
| 29.5 : H Sohail to A Afghan, Prediction is not up to the mark. Sohail drops it short in anticipation but Afghan only manages to chop his square cut to point. |
| 29.6 : H Sohail to A Afghan, Nice placement! He works this with very soft hands towards mid-wicket and the batsmen complete two easily. They should look for more doubles as the ground is big and twos are always on offer. |
| 30.1 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Starts his new spell from 'round the wicket and offers width outside off. Shahidi runs it down to third man for a run. |
| 30.2 : H Ali to A Afghan, Shortish in length this it, it's dabbed down to third man for one. |
| 30.3 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Angling into the batsman, a back of a length delivery, Shahidi stays back and taps it down to covers. |
| 30.4 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Sharp delivery, shortish and on off, Shahidi once again keeps it out on the off side from the back foot. |
| 30.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Goes full this time and arrows it in around off, Shahidi covers the line and blocks it safely. |
| 30.6 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Good half-stop there by the point fielder. Hasan goes even fuller with his length and lands it wide outside off, Shahidi drives it off his front foot with nice timing. It races through but the fielder inside the ring does well to make a partial stop with a dive to his left. The ball slows down as it goes behind and they cross for a run. Tidy over. |
| Drinks break. |
| Afghanistan are in a decent position. After a half-century partnership between Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi, the former was taken out by Pakistan's only wicket taker, Nawaz. Afghanistan will want their current pair to take them deeper into the innings. Pakistan will look to take quick wickets and halt the run scoring. What lies ahead, we'll soon find out after the break. Stay tuned... |
| Shaheen Afridi is back on. |
| 31.1 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, On a length around off, the batsman guides it down to third man for a run. |
| 31.2 : S Afridi to A Afghan, On the pads, the batsman fails to work it. The ball hits him on the pads and rolls towards the leg side and the batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 31.3 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, On off, Shahidi guides it to point. |
| 31.4 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Another length ball around off, HS keeps it out. Good lines by Shaheen. |
| 31.5 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Excellent fielding, Zaman! Very, very good effort. It was the slower bouncer on middle, the batsman pulls it towards mid-wicket. The fielder there dives to his left and stops it. He then has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Had he hit, it would not have made a difference as the batsman was well in. |
| 31.6 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Another short ball, it is this time pulled away from the mid-wicket fielder for a run. |
| 32.1 : H Ali to H Shahidi, On a length and around off, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 32.2 : H Ali to H Shahidi, With the angle, the batsman flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. Not the line Hasan should be bowling. He has an off side field and a little outside off is where he should bowl. |
| 32.3 : H Ali to A Afghan, The line was right this time but the length was not. It is short and outside off, the batsman cuts it towards third man for a run. |
| 32.4 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Perfect, the length as well as the line. Around off, Shahidi defends it. |
| 32.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Goes full this time and also gets some shape back in. The batsman drives it back to the bowler. A small banter between the bowler and the batsman but the umpire steps in between. |
| 32.6 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Another bumper on the body, the batsman pulls it down to fine leg for a run. He moves onto 41 with that. |
| 33.1 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, On the bounce! A bouncer on middle, Shahidi mistimes his pull to mid-wicket. |
| 33.2 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Slightly short and outside off, HS cuts it through point for a run. |
| 33.3 : S Afridi to A Afghan, Another bouncer! Afghan pulls it all along the ground towards square leg for a run. |
| 33.4 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Continues with the short ball, this time outside off, Shahidi uses the pace of the ball and guides it down to third man for a run. |
| 33.5 : S Afridi to A Afghan, The off cutter this time, bringing all his variations into play. Afghan tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 33.6 : S Afridi to A Afghan, This maybe a tactic here by Pakistan. Shaheen bowls another short ball, however, the pace of the wicket is so slow, that the batsman has enough time to go back and play the pull shot without any fuss. It goes towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 34.1 : H Ali to A Afghan, On a length around off, the batsman defends it towards point. |
| 34.2 : H Ali to A Afghan, Good length again around off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 34.3 : H Ali to A Afghan, Goes fuller this time, it also tails back in. Signs of reverse swing maybe. Afghan whips it through mid-wicket and takes two. |
| 34.4 : H Ali to A Afghan, Again, gets it to tail back in from a length and around off. The batsman is solid in defense. |
| 34.5 : H Ali to A Afghan, Lovely bouncer! It is the slower one. Afghan is way too early into the stroke and hits it towards mid on. |
| 34.6 : H Ali to A Afghan, The batsman has worked it off his pads behind square leg. They pick up a single. |
| Mohammad Nawaz is brought back into the attack. |
| 35.1 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, Flatter around off, Afghan guides it to point. |
| 35.2 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, Afghan makes room, Nawaz follows him with a quicker delivery. Asghar swings but misses. |
| 35.3 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, Three dots in a row! Fired on the pads, Afghan fails to flick to get hit on the pads. |
| 35.4 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, FOUR! Releases the pressure that was building in this over! A welcome boundary, it has come after 38 balls. Nawaz errs in line and bowls it on the pads. Afghan sweeps it through square leg and the ball races away. |
| 35.5 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, SIX! BANG! That has been nailed! Asghar fancies the left-arm spinner here. He sits down on one knee and connects brilliantly with the slog sweep. He has to as mistimes here will not be going over the fence due to the size of the boundaries. The ball sails over the mid-wicket fence and 10 have come off the last two balls. |
| 35.6 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, Now does the smart thing by pushing it through cover-point and taking a run. 11 from the over. |
| 36.1 : H Ali to A Afghan, A good length ball on off, Afghan pushes at it and gets an inside edge through square leg for a couple of runs. The stand crosses 50 now. A crucial and timely one for Afghanistan. |
| 36.2 : H Ali to A Afghan, On a length again, on off, Afghan punches it off his back foot to the off side. The bowler moves across to his left to make a half stop. |
| 36.3 : H Ali to A Afghan, Angling into the batsman, on middle, it's worked through mid-wicket for a run. Once again Hasan has something to say to the batsman. Not looking impressed. |
| 36.4 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Play and a miss! This one is angled wide outside off, Shahidi throws his bat at it and misses. |
| 36.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Edgy! A good length ball on off, shaping away, Shahidi pushes inside the line and gets a big fat outside edge down to third man. A couple taken as there is a misfield in the deep. |
| 36.6 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Very full around off, nearly a yorker, Shahidi digs it out to covers. |
| 37.1 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, In the air... but the fielder does not go for it. Sarfraz is not happy and rightly so, he should have gone for the catch. Once again Afghan goes after Nawaz with the slog sweep. He does hit it well but not well enough. It goes uppishly towards Imam at deep mid-wicket who opts to collect it on the bounce. The batsmen take a run. |
| 37.2 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, On the pads, Shahidi works it through square leg for a run. |
| 37.3 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, SIX! Just over! But that is a brilliant shot! Nice extension of the bat and a great follow through. Afghan makes room and gets a full ball on off, Asghar lofts it over the out stretched hand of Afridi for a biggie. |
| 37.4 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, Now shortens his length and also bowls it shorter on off, Afghan guides it to point. |
| 37.5 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, FOUR! Afghan is taking Nawaz to the cleaners here. However, this should have been stopped. Once again, Afghan goes inside out over covers. Afridi at long off runs to his right and tries to stop it with one hand but is not able to do so. A boundary results. Another expensive over by Nawaz, already 12 from it and there is still a ball to go. |
| 37.6 : M Nawaz to A Afghan, Overthrow! Pakistan are now feeling the pressure here. AA once again makes room and slaps it through covers. They run the first one and Afghan wants the second. The fielder in the deep fires a throw to the keeper. It takes a long time to reach Sarfraz as it is the bigger part of the ground. The Pakistan skipper, collects it and throws it at the bowler's end. Afghan by that time makes it in. The ball ricochets off Nawaz's legs and goes down to long on for an overthrow. |
| Slight stoppage in play. Asghar Afghan seems to be struggling with his hamstring. These are unforgiving conditions and playing on back-to-back days ain't easy. The physio comes out. A bit of stretching and the skipper is back on his feet. He is going along nicely at the moment and needs to continue. Meanwhile, there is a bowling change. Usman Khan returns in the attack. |
| 38.1 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Good length ball on off, Shahidi sticks back and defends it down watchfully. |
| 38.2 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Angles in a full length ball on middle, Shahidi closes the face of the bat and flicks it with beautiful timing through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 38.3 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Khan bends his back and digs in a short ball outside off. Shahidi goes on his toes and taps it down wide of the point fielder. They cross for a hesitant single. |
| 38.4 : U Khan to A Afghan, Switches to 'round the wicket for the right-hander and bangs in a bouncer around off. Asghar ducks under it. Usman quickly looks at the square leg umpire and is relieved to know that it's not wided. |
| 38.5 : U Khan to A Afghan, Shortish in length and around off, angling into the batsman, Asghar uses his wrists and turns it behind square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 38.6 : U Khan to A Afghan, Shout for a catch, not given. Usman spears in a length ball on middle, the batsman is beaten for pace as he tries to work it around. It flies behind off his pads to the keeper who dives across to his right to pouch the ball. No bat involved. |
| Shaheen Afridi is back on. |
| 39.1 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, On a length around off, the batsman guides it to point. |
| 39.2 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, A yorker on off, Shahidi does really well to jam it out towards point. He wants a run, he wants to get his captain on strike but Afghan asks him to return back. He turns and then dives to get in. |
| 39.3 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Another yorker on off, Shahidi strokes it towards mid off. 3 dots now. |
| 39.4 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Make that 4! The slower ball on the body of the batsman. Shahidi goes for the pull, gets hit on the body and falls onto the ground. |
| 39.5 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, A single! Shahidi gets to his fifty, consecutive ones. His 4th in this format. Once again, he has played with a lot of pateince and constructed his innings brilliantly. However, now he needs to step on the gas as he has got to his milestone. He guides this down to third man to reach that milestone. |
| 39.6 : S Afridi to A Afghan, Afghan gets to his fifty now, the skipper gets to one after 17 ODI innings. His 8th ODI fifty. It has been a completely opposite innings to his partner. A very flamboyant and an attacking one. He showed intent right from the word go and has provided the much-needed impetus to Afghanistan's innings. He hits this towards mid-wicket. Hasan Ali there misfields and the batsmen take two. He takes his cap off and acknowledges the applause from the crowd and his teammates. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signaled. Now, a maximum of 5 fielders are allowed outside the circle, till the end of the innings. Haris Sohail is into the attack. |
| 40.1 : H Sohail to H Shahidi, Tossed up ball on middle, worked through square leg for a single. |
| 40.2 : H Sohail to A Afghan, Arm ball landing on middle and skidding down, the batsman tries to flick but misses. |
| 40.3 : H Sohail to A Afghan, Short and on off, punched off the back foot but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 40.4 : H Sohail to A Afghan, SIX! Out of here! Afghan loves it there. Sohail senses the charge, maybe as he fires one in around leg. The Afghanistan skipper still manages to give it the full whack of his bat as he dismisses it over mid-wicket for a biggie. Ominous signs for Pakistan. Both the batsmen are set and now will be eager to press on the accelerator in the last 10 overs. |
| 40.5 : H Sohail to A Afghan, Quicker and flatter again, eased on the leg side through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 40.6 : H Sohail to A Afghan, Tossed up ball on middle, knocked down to long on for a run. 10 from the over. Afghanistan amassed 97 in the last 10 yesterday. Can they manage something similar again? |
| 41.1 : S Afridi to A Afghan, Ouch! That would have hurt. He swings to a ball on off, gets an inside edge onto his knee. Somewhere where there is not a lot of protection. |
| 0.0 : Afghan is down on the ground now. The physio comes out and also the magic spray. And like always, the spray does the trick and Afghan is ready to go. |
| 41.2 : S Afridi to A Afghan, Another swing and a miss! The slower ball on middle, Asghar throws the kitchen sink at it but misses. |
| 41.3 : S Afridi to A Afghan, SIX! BOOM! That is massive! He has picked the bones out of that one! It was right in the slot, full and on middle. Afghan was looking to clear the mid-wicket fence on the previous deliveries and this time he connects well and it is deposited over the fence. |
| 41.4 : S Afridi to A Afghan, DROPPED! How lucky has Shaheen Afridi been today? This is the third dropped catch of his bowling and this one too was a sitter. The slower one on middle, Afghan swings but does not get the desired connection. It goes high up in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Haris Sohail there runs in, tries to catch it but does not hang on. That needed to be taken, Pakistan need a wicket, especially that of Asghar who is tonking them really big at the moment. |
| 41.5 : S Afridi to A Afghan, Swing and a miss! Afghan again swings blindly but to no affect. |
| 41.6 : S Afridi to A Afghan, OUT! Sound of timber followed by a big roar from the debutant. Quite a few catches went down off his bowling but this time he has taken matters into his own hands to light the stumps. The slower off cutter has done the trick. It's angled into the batsman, Afghan is beaten due to the lack of pace and is way early into his shot. The ball arrives late, sneaks past him to kiss the middle stump. End of a very fine knock by the skipper and his 94-run stand with Hashmatullah |
| Mohammad Nabi is the new man in. Also Mohammad Nawaz is back on. |
| 42.1 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, This is worked against the angle through the leg side for a run. |
| 42.2 : M Nawaz to M Nabi, Starightaway playes the paddle and connects well towards fine leg for a run. |
| 42.3 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, DROPPED! Are you kidding me? The fourth catch of the day has been put down by Pakistan. They are just not in the mood to catch the ball today. Another sitter and Afridi who has had three dropped catches of his bowling is the culprit this time. Shahidi goes for the reverse sweep but hits it straight to Afridi who gets two hands to it but fails to hang on. |
| 42.4 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 42.5 : M Nawaz to M Nabi, With the angle, works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 42.6 : M Nawaz to H Shahidi, Guides it towards point for another single. That is it for Nawaz today, he finishes with 10-1-57-3. He has really been exceptional in his come back game. He could have easily had four had it not been for the dropped catch. Nevertheless, he has done his job. |
| 43.1 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, A pin-point yorker on middle, Shahidi jams it out. Not a lot you can do with that delivery. |
| 43.2 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, Very full on middle, Shahidi lofts it towards long on for a run. |
| 43.3 : S Afridi to M Nabi, FOUR! Up and over! Picked his spot to perfection! Saw the mid off was in the ring. Nabi lofts it over him and a boundary results. |
| 43.4 : S Afridi to M Nabi, Another slower ball around off, Nabi hits it through covers for a run. |
| 43.5 : S Afridi to H Shahidi, 200 up for Afghanistan! This is guided down to third man and a run is taken. There are 6 more overs to go after this. |
| 43.6 : S Afridi to M Nabi, OUT! NABI HOLES OUT! Two wickets in two overs for Afridi. At last a catch taken from a Pakistan player. The dangerous Mohammad Nabi departs cheaply. This is full and on the pads, Nabi looks to flick it. Gets more height then distance. Hasan Ali at deep square leg settles under it and takes it nicely. |
| Najibullah Zadran walks in next, no signs of Rashid Khan yet. Are Afghanistan missing a trick? Meanwhile, Hasan Ali has also returned to bowl at the death. |
| 44.1 : H Ali to N Zadran, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 44.2 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Good length around off, the batsman drives it towards covers for a run. |
| 44.3 : H Ali to N Zadran, Outside off, the batsman gets a thick outside edge towards third man for a run. |
| 44.4 : H Ali to H Shahidi, In the gap and a brace! Full and on the pads, Shahidi flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 44.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, That has gone fine but the fielder at third man is also quite fine so only a run. |
| 44.6 : H Ali to N Zadran, A dot to end! A good over by Hasan there. He bowls it on off, the batter defends it. Strange actually, you do not see a ball being defended with 6 overs to go. |
| Usman Khan is back on. |
| 45.1 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Hits the length hard around off, Usman guides it towards point for a run. Singles is something Pakistan won't mind. |
| 45.2 : U Khan to N Zadran, Good pacey delivery and into the body of the batsman, cramping him for room. Najibullah pushes it towards mid on for a run. They were thinking about the second but Malik was lightning quick to get to it from mid off. |
| 45.3 : U Khan to H Shahidi, A dot! Excellent this from Pakistan. It is slightly short on off, Shahidi guides it to point. |
| 45.4 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Dot again! This is terrific bowling! Another length ball around off, Shahidi tries to go inside out but does not connect. Two balls to go, Usman needs to deliver two good ones. |
| 45.5 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Lovely, lovely stuff! Has delivered one excellent ball. A yorker on middle, Shahidi jams it out to long on for a run. One to go, can he finish it well? |
| 45.6 : U Khan to N Zadran, A couple but it still is an excellent over! Slower ball on the pads, Zadran works it towards mid-wicket for a couple. So consecutive good overs for Pakistan. |
| 46.1 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Just a single to start the over! Not offering any room to the batsman. He can only push it towards mid off for a run. |
| 46.2 : H Ali to N Zadran, OUT! You miss, I hit stuff there as Hasan Ali gets his first. However, this could be a blessing in disguise for Afghanistan as Zadran's innings was going nowhere. Ali bowls the slower ball on a length around middle, Zadran swings but misses it by a long way. The ball hits him on the pads and goes onto hit the middle pole. |
| Gulbadin Naib arrives. |
| 46.3 : H Ali to G Naib, Brilliant stop by Hasan! Excellent commitment! Full and on off, Naib hammers it towards the bowler, he gets down quickly and deflects it to covers. A run taken. |
| Hasan pulls out and he rightfully does as there was an extra fielder out of the ring. Would have been a no ball and a Free Hit had he bowled that. |
| 46.4 : H Ali to H Shahidi, FOUR! Cheeky and it comes off! A much-needed one! Seeing the fine leg is in the ring. Shahidi plays the paddle scoop, connects well and into the fine leg fence. |
| 46.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Full and on off, Shahidi drives it towards mid off for a run. |
| 46.6 : H Ali to G Naib, FOUR! 11 from the over! Poor delivery, short and wide outside off. The batsman cuts it over the point region and into the fence. |
| 47.1 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Direct hit would have been curtains for Shahidi. A short of a length ball on off, Hashmatullah pulls it across the line towards mid-wicket and sprints across to the other end. The fielder inside the ring collects the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses the target. |
| 47.2 : U Khan to G Naib, Short in length and on middle, it's been smashed via a pull shot. But it goes straight to deep mid-wicket and only a run is possible. Dean Jones (on air) ain't too impressed with the length. |
| 47.3 : U Khan to H Shahidi, A mistimed pull again by Shahidi towards mid-wicket for a run. He is looking tired. Dean Jones with an interesting question to his fellow commentator Kumar Sangakkara - Should Shahidi retire and let other big hitter (Rashid) come in? Sangakkara plays it safe and says I don't know. |
| 47.4 : U Khan to G Naib, Swings his bat across the line and drags it off the inner half of the bat to fine leg for a run. |
| 47.5 : U Khan to H Shahidi, FOUR! This is now Shahidi's highest ODI score. He receives a short delivery outside off and smacks it through point for a cracking boundary. |
| 47.6 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Angling down the leg side, it's whipped to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 10 from the overs, 2 more overs left. Can Afghanistan touch the 250-run mark? |
| 48.1 : H Ali to G Naib, Good bowling! Follows the batsman with a short ball. Gulbadin guides it down to third man for a run. |
| 48.2 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Another single as Shahidi pushes it towards mid off. |
| 48.3 : H Ali to G Naib, 3 runs from the first 3 balls! The slower one on off, Naib swings but mistimes it towards mid off for another single. |
| Shahidi is bowled here. But the umpire is checking for the no ball. Has Hasan overstepped? |
| 48.4 : H Ali to H Shahidi, It is a NO BALL! Slightly harsh I would say on the bowler but the umpire rules it in the favor of the batsman. Shahidi with another reprieve. It is just not Pakistan's day today. Hasan bowls the perfect yorker on middle, Shahidi makes a little too much room. He tries to get his bat down in time but misses to see the stumps get shattered. He starts walking but the umpire asks him to wait. They go upstairs to check for the front foot NO BALL. The first replay seems to sho |
| H Ali to H Shahidi, FOUR! A gift on the Free Hit! A full toss on the pads, Shahidi will not miss out there. He swings it over mid-wicket, in the gap and into the fence. |
| 48.5 : H Ali to H Shahidi, Another full toss, this time though it does not go to the fence as Shahidi flicks it towards deep square leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and stops it. Two taken. |
| 48.6 : H Ali to H Shahidi, A single to end the over! But 11 from it. Shahidi guides this down to third man for a run. |
| 49.1 : U Khan to H Shahidi, FOUR! No holds barred! Usman digs in a short ball around off and Shahidi bludgeons his pull shot through mid-wicket for a powerful boundary. The fielder inside the ring was quite lazy in getting down. Great start to the last over for Afghanistan. |
| 49.2 : U Khan to H Shahidi, FOUR! This is brilliant hitting! Shahidi moves into the 90s with this shot. Usman goes searching for a yorker but instead serves a juicy full length ball outside off. Hashmatullah cracks it over extra cover for a boundary. 250 up for Afghanistan! |
| 49.3 : U Khan to H Shahidi, FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries. Shahidi in the Shahid Afridi avatar! A length ball around off, Hashmatullah gets across the stumps and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary. Three balls to go. |
| 49.4 : U Khan to H Shahidi, Slower length ball on off, Shahidi pushes inside the line and gets it away off the outside edge. It travels to third man and they cross for one. |
| 49.5 : U Khan to G Naib, Back of a length ball on off, it's slapped back past the bowler. The long on fielder gets across to stop the ball and they cross for a run. Naib slips a bit while turning for the second run but anyway his partner didn't look much interested. Shahidi is on 97, can he get to his maiden hundred? |
| 49.6 : U Khan to H Shahidi, No century. Khan fires in a full ball on middle and leg, Shahidi tries to whip it across the line but misses. It goes off his pads to covers and they don't attempt any run, strangely. Afghanistan end on 257/6! |
| Another power-packed ending to the Afghanistan innings! They hammered 97 runs yesterday in the final 10 overs and today, against a better attack, they have amassed 87 runs. Take a bow! Hashmatullah Shahidi missed his maiden ODI ton but impressed everyone with the way he anchored the innings with a stable head. |
| Earlier in the innings, the Pakistani pacers started well by not allowing the Afghan top order to get off to a flying start. They were also successful in removing the openers pretty early. However, the pair of Rahmat Shah and his skipper, Asghar Afghan, stitched together a solid 63-run partnership and stabilized their innings. |
| The star with the ball for Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz, then removed the well-set Rahmat Shah to take his third wicket of the day. However, skipper Afghan joined hands with the in-form, Shahidi, and the two came up with a potentially match winning 94-run partnership. They had built a strong launch-pad for the middle and lower order to tee-off in the death overs and that is exactly what happened. |
| Pakistan, then, crawled their way back by picking up three quick wickets and halting the Afghan progress, at least for a while. The Afghans were 211 in 46 overs and at that stage, they would have been happy to reach even 240. But, thanks to some smart batting by Shahidi, the last four overs produced 46 and that meant they reached a total that would worry their opponents. |
| Man of the Moment, Shahidi is up for an interview. He starts by saying this is his best innings. He feels there is still a lot to learn but this knock should give him confidence for the future. Informs the captain had asked him to keep rotating the strike and to be there till the end. He reckons they have enough runs on the board and with a good bowling line-up, they will try and restrict them. |
| An exciting chase awaits us. This is a good track for batting but the scoreboard pressure along with the quality Afghan spin attack will test Pakistan. Do join us in a short while for all the action. |
| 0.0 : We are back for the chase and trust me it is going to be an exciting one. The two Pakistan openers, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq make their way out to the middle. The former will be on strike and he will face Mujeeb Ur Rahman who will bowl with the first new ball. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Ur Rahman to F Zaman, Right on the money first up. Slower through the air on middle, Zaman works it towards square leg. |
| 0.2 : Ur Rahman to F Zaman, Slightly short and outside off, Zaman cuts it to point. |
| 0.3 : Ur Rahman to F Zaman, BEATEN! That was a peach! Zaman had no clue about which way the ball was going. Mujeeb floats it up around off, it pitches and straightens. Zaman plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 0.4 : Ur Rahman to F Zaman, Zaman with a new tactic, shuffles across the line and defends the ball on the stumps. |
| 0.5 : Ur Rahman to F Zaman, Again, shuffles across the stumps and blocks it out. |
| 0.6 : Ur Rahman to F Zaman, OUT! Mujeeb strikes in the first over itself. The dangerous Zaman goes for another duck. Dream start for Afghanistan. This is very full around the off pole. Zaman picks the wrong ball to play the sweep shot. He misses, the ball hits his pads. The players appeal and the umpire, after giving it a thought, raises the finger. Fakhar walks up to his partner and has a chat but then does not review. Wonder why? Because, the impact could have been an issue there. And that is w |
| Babar Azam walks in to bat. Also Aftab Alam will bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : A Alam to Imam, FOUR! Great start from Imam! He receives a short delivery first up around off, stays on the back foot and pulls it with authority to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 1.2 : A Alam to Imam, The length is on the shorter side again, outside off, Imam plays it late and steers it down behind backward point for a run. |
| 1.3 : A Alam to B Azam, Edged but safe! Shortish in length and around off, Azam stays back to play inside the line but is squared up. Gets an outside edge in the process and it runs wide of first slip to third man. A single taken. |
| 1.4 : A Alam to Imam, Good length delivery on middle and off, Imam gets behind the line and watchfully defends it. |
| 1.5 : A Alam to Imam, Wide! Wrong line by Alam and he will have to reload. Slips in a length ball down the leg side, Imam tries to get some wood behind it but fails. Shahzad fumbles but no extra run conceded. |
| A Alam to Imam, FOUR! Stylish! Imam is in a really good form and this shot proves it. Alam drops it short outside off, angling away, Imam picks the length in a trice and hammer-pulls it past the diving mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. |
| 1.6 : A Alam to Imam, Wide! Turning out to be a really long over. Down the leg side, once again Imam fails to make any use of it. |
| A Alam to Imam, Lands it on a length on middle, Imam plays it down safely towards mid-wicket. A good over for Pakistan, 12 runs coming off it. |
| Howzzat? The umpire shakes his head. Mujeeb straightaway wants it to be reviewed. Azam is the man in question. Huge moment in the game. Impact can be an issue. |
| 2.1 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, NOT OUT! The impact is outside! Afghanistan lose their only review very early. Credit to the umpire though as that is an excellent decision. Mujeeb bowls an inswinging yorker, yes you read it right, an inswinging yorker. It comes back in late. Azam gets his front foot way to across and hence is struck right on the toe. Mujeeb appeals but the umpire shakes his head. The bowler wants it to be reviewed. All the Afghanistan players want it to be and Afhgan does so. He signa |
| 2.2 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Flatter and on the shorter side, Azam punches it to mid off. |
| 2.3 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Tosses it up again, Azam strokes it to mid off again. |
| 2.4 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 2.5 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, This was right off the middle but to the man at covers. 5 dots in a row. |
| 2.6 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, 6 dots which means it is a maiden. Another loopy ball outside off, Babar goes for the drive but gets an inside edge to short fine leg. |
| 3.1 : A Alam to Imam, Good length by the bowler and the line is also fine. On off, kept out. |
| 3.2 : A Alam to Imam, MISFIELD AND FOUR! Aftab is leaking runs here. He bowls it short and outside off, Imam cuts but gets an outside edge towards third man. The fielder there runs to his right, dives but fails to stop the ball. |
| 3.3 : A Alam to Imam, A little too wide outside off, left alone. Alam needs to keep it tight and provide good support to Mujeeb. |
| 3.4 : A Alam to Imam, Very good! Like that! On a length around off, Imam defends it onto the ground. |
| 3.5 : A Alam to Imam, A little too straight on the pads, Imam flicks it through square leg for a single. |
| 3.6 : A Alam to B Azam, A quick single and they make it! 6 from the over! Fuller in length and on middle, Babar strokes it towards mid on for a quick run. |
| 4.1 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Slower through the air, pitches it around off. Azam lunges and defends it. |
| 4.2 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Quicker this time but it is a touch shorter in length. Azam goes back and punches it down to long on for a run. |
| 4.3 : Ur Rahman to Imam, MISFIELD AND FOUR AGAIN! This is just not done! You need to back your bowlers, especially someone who is bowling so well. It is short and outside off, Imam cuts it towards point. Alam there lets it through his hands and the ball races away. |
| 4.4 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Down the leg side, Imam fails to flick and the umpire calls it a wide. Good take by Shahazad. |
| Ur Rahman to Imam, Darts it on off, Imam goes back and defends it. |
| 4.5 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Again, this one was flatter and quicker, Imam blocks it out. |
| 4.6 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Imam might have picked this leg spinner as he rocks back and works it to mid-wicket. So the misfield spoils the over or else it was another tight one by Mujeeb. |
| 5.1 : A Alam to B Azam, Back of a length on off, Azam punches it to the man at covers. |
| 5.2 : A Alam to B Azam, Good shot but no runs! On the shorter side, Azam hits it into the ground and the ball bounces at head height to the fielder at point. |
| 5.3 : A Alam to B Azam, Not sure if this one stayed a touch low or Azam played back to a ball he should have come forward to. On a length around off, Azam at the last moment gets his bat down in time. |
| 5.4 : A Alam to B Azam, Another classic punch but straight to the fielder at cover-point. |
| 5.5 : A Alam to B Azam, Lovely stuff, on a length around middle, Babar is solid in defense. This has been a very good over by Alam till now. One more ball to go, needs to end it well. |
| 5.6 : A Alam to B Azam, A dot to end it but he would feel he got away! It was there to be hit, a little short and a lot of width on offer outside off. Azam slaps it but finds the fielder at cover-point. A maiden. |
| 6.1 : Ur Rahman to Imam, The slider on the pads, Imam finds mid-wicket with the flick. |
| 6.2 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Flatter on off, the batsman pushes it to covers. |
| 6.3 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Down the leg side, Imam goes for the sweep but misses. Shahzad tries to put the umpire off with an appeal but the umpire is spot on by signaling it as a wide. |
| Ur Rahman to Imam, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.4 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Gives it air on off, Imam drives it towards wide long on for a couple. He is looking good out there. |
| 6.5 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Imam is deep in the crease, waits for the ball and works it towards square leg. The fielder there makes a good diving stop but can't stop the single. |
| 6.6 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Tosses it up on off, Azam lunges and blocks it out. |
| The skipper, Afghan is off the ground. He went off yesterday also, maybe the heat is getting to him. |
| 7.1 : A Alam to Imam, On a length around off, Imam defends it to point. |
| 7.2 : A Alam to Imam, Shortish and outside off, Imam guides it down to third man for a run. |
| 7.3 : A Alam to B Azam, On off, Azam wants to drop and run but is sent back by his partner. |
| 7.4 : A Alam to B Azam, Well bowled! On a length and this one comes back in. Azam defends it onto the ground. |
| 7.5 : A Alam to B Azam, FOUR! CRACKED! Very, very easy on the eye that one! A little short on middle, Azam stands tall and pulls it through mid-wicket and you need not run for those. |
| 7.6 : A Alam to B Azam, Goes back to bowling length around the off stump line. Azam defends it. |
| 8.1 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Flighted and full around off, Imam defends it off his front foot. |
| 8.2 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Turning down the leg side, Imam reads it well and works it with the spin to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 8.3 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, A touch flatter and fuller on off, it's driven off the front foot to mid off where the fielder fumbles and makes the single easy. |
| 8.4 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Spinning back in a bit from around off, it's on the shorter side and Imam keeps it out towards mid-wicket. |
| 8.5 : Ur Rahman to Imam, A googly around off, Imam lunges and defends. He is reading Mujeeb well. |
| 8.6 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Full and on middle, knocked down the ground but straight to mid on. |
| Gulbadin Naib is into the attack. |
| 9.1 : G Naib to B Azam, Starts off with a very full ball on off, no swing on offer. Babar Azam drives it towards covers. |
| 9.2 : G Naib to B Azam, Slightly short around off, Babar cuts it to point. This was a little too close to play that shot. |
| 9.3 : G Naib to B Azam, Good length again on off, Babar guides it towards point. He wanted a run but is sent back. The point fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. |
| 9.4 : G Naib to B Azam, Crisply driven but once again cannot find the gap. 4 dots in this over so far. |
| 9.5 : G Naib to B Azam, Delicate but risky also! This one comes back in very late. Azam plays it at the last moment towards third man for a run. |
| 9.6 : G Naib to Imam, From around the wicket, he angles it into the batsman. Imam blocks it onto the ground. End of Powerplay 1 and both the teams will be content with. Afghanistan have not conceded a lot of runs and Pakistan have not lost a lot of wickets. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signaled. A maximum of four fielders will now be allowed outside the ring till the end of the 40th over. The experienced and wily offie, Mohammad Nabi, comes into the attack now. We are in for an interesting passage of play. |
| 10.1 : M Nabi to B Azam, Slower through the air on middle, Azam strokes it back to the bowler. |
| 10.2 : M Nabi to B Azam, Swept but straight to the short fine leg fielder. A little to his left or right it would have been a boundary. Azam is struggling to find the gaps here. |
| 10.3 : M Nabi to B Azam, This is eased down to long on for a run. |
| 10.4 : M Nabi to Imam, Imam strokes it down to long on for a run. |
| 10.5 : M Nabi to B Azam, From around the wicket now, he bowls it on middle, Azam pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 10.6 : M Nabi to B Azam, With the turn but against the angle, Azam flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. So a tight start by Nabi, kept attacking the stumps and gave nothing away. He will continue to do so. |
| 11.1 : G Naib to B Azam, Slower ball on the pads, Azam flicks it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 11.2 : G Naib to Imam, OVERTHROW! Not sure this was needed. It was shaping up to be a dot ball as it was driven back to the bowler who had a needless shy. The throw was a wild one, Shahzad only managed to parry it towards fine leg and the batsmen run an overthrow. |
| 11.3 : G Naib to B Azam, On the shorter side, Azam chops it towards point. He wanted a run but Imam once again refuses. |
| 11.4 : G Naib to B Azam, Driven on the up but once again finds the fielder. Babar should not get frustrated as he is not finding the gaps. |
| 11.5 : G Naib to B Azam, Well bowled! A well-disguised slower ball outside off, Azam is early into the cut shot and gets beaten. |
| 11.6 : G Naib to B Azam, A dot to end another tight over! Azam punches this to covers. He needs to rotate strike here, he is playing himself into a shell, on 12 from 37 balls. |
| 12.1 : M Nabi to Imam, Gives it air on off, Imam defends it onto the ground. |
| 12.2 : M Nabi to Imam, A little wide outside off and also slower through the air. Imam drives it square on the off side. |
| 12.3 : M Nabi to Imam, Quicker this time on middle, Imam keeps it out. |
| 12.4 : M Nabi to Imam, A little too full this time, Imam drives it nicely to the man at long off for a run. |
| 12.5 : M Nabi to B Azam, Again very full on middle, Azam eases it down to long on for a run. |
| 12.6 : M Nabi to Imam, Good running! Imam taps this towards covers and the batsmen scamper through for a run. Rotation of strike is very important as the boundaries are not coming at will. |
| 13.1 : G Naib to Imam, Very full on middle, Imam drives it back towards the bowler who makes a half-stop but no runs conceded. |
| 13.2 : G Naib to Imam, Walks across and flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 13.3 : G Naib to B Azam, Once again, he plays it late, Babar with an angled bat, guides it down to third man for a run. |
| 13.4 : G Naib to Imam, The ultra slow delivery says Ramiz Raja on air. It was short and outside off, Imam waits for it and then cuts it hard but finds sweeper cover so only a run. |
| 13.5 : G Naib to B Azam, Babar tries to break the shackles here. The slower ball on middle, Azam goes for the hoick but gets it off the inner half towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 13.6 : G Naib to Imam, Pulled nicely, all along the ground to the man at deep square leg for a run. |
| 14.1 : M Nabi to Imam, Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of it. He drives it to covers. |
| 14.2 : M Nabi to Imam, A little short outside off, Imam tries to cut but ends up mistiming it to covers. |
| 14.3 : M Nabi to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 14.4 : M Nabi to Imam, Imam eases it through the mid on region, exactly from where the fielder was pushed back, for a run. 50-run stand comes up and it is a vital one as Pakistan lost a wicket really early. They would want the two to continue. Pakistan need another 207. |
| 14.5 : M Nabi to B Azam, SIX! This should get him going! Lovely hit. Straight as an arrow! Dances down the track, does not get to the pitch of it but still lofts it over the bowler's head. The timing is such that it carries over the ropes. |
| 14.6 : M Nabi to B Azam, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. |
| 15.1 : G Naib to B Azam, Delicate. A length delivery around off, Babar delays his shot and at the last moment runs it down fine to third man for a brace. |
| 15.2 : G Naib to B Azam, Shortish and on off, Babar goes hard at it this time and mistimes his shot towards covers. He's a touch-batsman, should concentrate on timing rather than power. |
| 15.3 : G Naib to B Azam, Gets on the front foot to play the cover drive but the fielder inside the ring does superbly to stop the ball with a dive. |
| 15.4 : G Naib to B Azam, Feeds the batsman with a short and wide ball outside off, Azam cracks it thorugh cover-point and Rashid Khan is lightning quick in the field. Only a run taken. |
| 15.5 : G Naib to Imam, Oohhh...this one stays seriously low after landing on a length around off. It's angled in and Imam does well to crouch and block it. Always kept his eyes on the ball and that was the key there. |
| 15.6 : G Naib to Imam, Imam plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total. |
| 16.1 : M Nabi to Imam, Good running! On the stumps, Imam plays it towards mid on and straightaway goes for a run and completes it. |
| 16.2 : M Nabi to B Azam, A little too short outside off, Azam cuts it through point for a couple. |
| 16.3 : M Nabi to B Azam, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 16.4 : M Nabi to B Azam, Tries to flick but closes the face of the bat a touch early. It takes a soft leading edge to the bowler. |
| 16.5 : M Nabi to B Azam, Smart bowling! Seeing the batsman give him the charge, Nabi slows it up. Babar tries to drive but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards short fine leg and the batsmen run a leg bye. |
| 16.6 : M Nabi to Imam, WIDE! Down the leg side and it has been wided. |
| Time for Drinks. Seems like this match is going to go all the way to the wire. It is still anybody's game though.Pakistan want one big partnership to ride their chase on. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be eager to break this partnership and penetrate deeper into the Pakistani batting line-up. |
| M Nabi to Imam, Works it with the angle, through the leg side and takes a run. |
| Aftab Alam returns in the attack. They are holding back Rashid Khan at the moment. 191 needed off 198 balls. |
| 17.1 : A Alam to Imam, A little short in length and around off, Imam crouches a bit and cuts it square of the wicket on the off side. The third man fielder cuts it off and they take a single. |
| 17.2 : A Alam to B Azam, Once again the length is a touch on the shorter side around off, Babar remains back footed and pulls it in front of square leg for one. |
| 17.3 : A Alam to Imam, On a good length around off, Imam plays it late and dabs it down to third man for another single in this over. |
| 17.4 : A Alam to B Azam, Slower one, short and outside off, it's steered behind point for a single. |
| 17.5 : A Alam to Imam, Once again a slower delivery by Alam. It's short and on off, Imam pulls it quite nicely to deep mid-wicket. They take a run. |
| 17.6 : A Alam to B Azam, Serves it on a length just outside off, straightening a bit after landing, Babar strokes it through the line but finds the cover fielder. Dot ball to end the over. |
| 18.1 : M Nabi to Imam, Flatter and fuller on off, a punchy drive by Imam but the short cover fielder does well to stop it with a dive. |
| 18.2 : M Nabi to Imam, Full and skidding in from around off, it's flicked on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket. |
| 18.3 : M Nabi to Imam, Quicker and shorter on middle, Imam reads the length a bit late and hits it towards mid-wicket again. Three dot balls. |
| 18.4 : M Nabi to Imam, Risky single. That's what dot balls do to you. Flighted and full on off, Imam pushes it with gentle hands to cover-point and pinches a single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses the target. |
| 18.5 : M Nabi to B Azam, Short and wide outside off, Azam rocks back and slaps it to deep point for one. |
| 18.6 : M Nabi to Imam, Floated ball on off, Imam skips down the track and drives it back to the bowler. Nabi collects the ball and has an immediate shy at the striker's end. Misses the stumps but anyway, Imam would have been in. |
| 19.1 : A Alam to B Azam, Good length around off, this one skids through. Azam plays it late down to third man for a single. |
| 19.2 : A Alam to Imam, Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He pushes it through covers for a run. |
| 19.3 : A Alam to B Azam, LEADING EDGE BUT SAFE! That was close. Heart in mouth moment for Azam. He once again closes the face of his bat a touch early. Gets a leading edge which flies past the out stretched hand of the bowler and towards mid off. |
| 19.4 : A Alam to B Azam, This time, he lets the ball come to him and tucks it around the corner for a run. |
| 19.5 : A Alam to Imam, Pulls it through front of square, Rashid is the man in the deep. He is quick but not quick enough to stop the brace. |
| 19.6 : A Alam to Imam, Another short ball is worked towards fine leg for another single. |
| The time has arrived! Rashid Khan is into the attack. This is where the real game begins. How Pakistan tackle Rashid Khan will probably decide the fate of this game. |
| 20.1 : R Khan to Imam, Quicker and shorter outside off, Imam cuts it to point. |
| 20.2 : R Khan to Imam, Quicker and shorter again, Imam tries to pull but is a little late on the shot. He mistimes it to mid-wicket. Azam wants a run but is sent back. The mid-wicket fielder has a shy but misses by a long way. |
| 20.3 : R Khan to Imam, Imam goes back and tucks it through square leg for a run. |
| 20.4 : R Khan to B Azam, Azam now goes back and flicks it through square leg for a single. |
| 20.5 : R Khan to Imam, BEATEN! Not a good shot to play against Rashid. He is too quick and his lengths are also quite deceptive. Flatter and quicker outside off, Imam goes for the cut but is late onto the shot and hence gets beaten. |
| 20.6 : R Khan to Imam, On the stumps, kept out. So just two from Khan's over. Exactly what is expected of him, Afghanistan would hope he can contain the runs as well as pick wickets. |
| Gulbadin Naib comes back into the attack. |
| 21.1 : G Naib to B Azam, Slower short ball outside off, crunched off the back foot to sweeper cover and ran the first run hard. They put pressure on the fielder in the deep who fumbled and allowed the second run. |
| 21.2 : G Naib to B Azam, FOUR! Risky but effective. Naib offers width outside off, Babar sits deep inside the crease and plays at it very late. Does quite well to beat the diving keeper and find the boundary. |
| 21.3 : G Naib to B Azam, Shortish on middle and leg, Azam tries working it off his hips but fails to middle it. It drops near the surface and they steal a run. |
| 21.4 : G Naib to Imam, Straighter in line, worked off the pads to the leg side, not in the gap. |
| 21.5 : G Naib to Imam, Slower one, on a length outside off, quietly played down to third man for a single. A direct hit scored from the deep but nothing doing. However, Shahzad let out a stifled appeal. |
| 21.6 : G Naib to B Azam, Shortish and outside off, cut from the back foot to deep point for one. Pakistan are going at ease currently. 167 needed off 168 balls. |
| 22.1 : R Khan to B Azam, WIDE! Down the leg side, Shahzad fails to collect and the umpire stretches his arms. |
| R Khan to B Azam, On the shorter side, it is pushed down to long on for a run. |
| 22.2 : R Khan to Imam, Quicker and flatter outside off, Imam guides it towards point where the fielder makes a very good stop. |
| 22.3 : R Khan to Imam, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 22.4 : R Khan to Imam, Another wide signalled! This time outside off, another attempted googly. |
| R Khan to Imam, The leg spinner outside off, Imam guides it to point. |
| 22.5 : R Khan to Imam, Almost! The leg spinner, pitches on middle and then gets it to skid through. Imam at the very end, gets his bat down and works it through square leg for a run. |
| 22.6 : R Khan to B Azam, Azam easily pushes it down to long on for a run. Another 162 needed in 162 balls. |
| 23.1 : G Naib to B Azam, On a length around off, Azam drives it to covers. |
| 23.2 : G Naib to B Azam, Well fielded! The slower ball, Azam cuts it hard towards covers. The fielder there dives and makes a very good stop. Saves a few runs for his team. The batsmen in the meantime take one. |
| 23.3 : G Naib to Imam, Fuller in length on middle, the batsman drives it back to the bowler. |
| 23.4 : G Naib to Imam, The leg cutter outside off, Imam cuts it past the diving fielder at point for another brace. |
| 23.5 : G Naib to Imam, The 100 for Pakistan and the 100-run stand is up between the pair. Imam comes down the track and swings but the ball takes the outside edge and goes to third man for a run. |
| 23.6 : G Naib to B Azam, On middle, worked to mid-wicket. |
| 24.1 : R Khan to Imam, Very full on off, Azam drives it to covers. |
| 24.2 : R Khan to Imam, Flatter on off, the batsman somehow keeps it out as the ball stays a touch low. |
| 24.3 : R Khan to Imam, Fifty for Imam, second for him in ODIs to go with 4 hundreds. This has really been an excellent innings from the youngster. He has grinded it out there and is now reaping the rewards. He plays this with soft hands towards backward square leg and takes a brace. |
| 24.4 : R Khan to Imam, Another short ball outside off, Imam cuts it towards point and gets to the other end. |
| 24.5 : R Khan to B Azam, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 24.6 : R Khan to B Azam, The skidder outside off, Azam tries to cut but is beaten. |
| Mohammad Nabi is back into the attack. |
| 25.1 : M Nabi to Imam, Flighted full ball on off, it's turned to the right of short fine leg for a quick single. |
| 25.2 : M Nabi to B Azam, Continues from 'round the wicket for the right-hander as well. He serves it full and on middle, it's eased through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 25.3 : M Nabi to Imam, Chance of a run out! Missed. Quicker and flatter on off, Imam gets forward and softly plays it towards covers for a brisk run. The fielder misses his shy at the striker's end otherwise it could have been tight. Also, Shahzad after collecting the throw failed to take the bails off. Sloppy. |
| 25.4 : M Nabi to B Azam, On middle, worked on the leg side but he found the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 25.5 : M Nabi to B Azam, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball on middle and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 25.6 : M Nabi to B Azam, Drags his length short and bowls it wide outside off, Babar cuts it behind point and scampers back for the second run. A better throw from the deep could have made it interesting. Afghanistan losing intensity in the field. Usually they are very energetic and accurate. |
| Slight stoppage in play! Babar Azam is down and receiving some stretching from the Pakistani physio. Maybe, cramps. The players are doing well to keep themselves hydrated whenever the opportunity comes. The game situation currently - 150 needed off 144 balls. |
| 26.1 : R Khan to Imam, On the stumps, worked to mid-wicket. |
| 26.2 : R Khan to Imam, Very full on middle, Imam jams it out towards long on for a run. |
| 26.3 : R Khan to B Azam, Slightly short and Azam rocks onto the back foot quickly and pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 26.4 : R Khan to Imam, Slightly short again, Imam cuts it through covers for a run. Not been at his best until now, he is bowling too short. |
| A direct hit and the umpire takes it upstairs. Azam is the man in question. He seems to be relaxed. |
| 26.5 : R Khan to B Azam, NOT OUT! Azam is well in! He drives it back towards Rashid. Khan does really well to make a diving stop and then score a direct hit at the striker's end. The players appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replay show, Azam is in. |
| 26.6 : R Khan to B Azam, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 27.1 : M Nabi to B Azam, On the shorter side, Azam works it to mid-wicket. |
| 27.2 : M Nabi to B Azam, With the turn, Azam works it to square leg. |
| 27.3 : M Nabi to B Azam, 50 for Azam now, 8th in ODIs. Another good innings by the talented Pakistan player. He gets there by clipping it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 27.4 : M Nabi to Imam, SIX! Going, going and gone! That should release a lot of pressure. Top shot! He uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the delivery and lofts it over mid on. He is in the ring. However, even if he had been on the rope, it would not have made a difference as it has carried all the way. |
| 27.5 : M Nabi to Imam, And now does the right thing by working it through the leg side and getting to the other end. |
| 27.6 : M Nabi to B Azam, FOUR! Ends the over in style! An excellent one for Pakistan. It is short and outside off, Azam rocks back and slaps it through the cover-region. The ball races away. 12 runs from the over and Pakistan are well on course now. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back on with Afghanistan in desperate need of a wicket. |
| 28.1 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Flighted delivery, landing very full on off, Imam pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 28.2 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Full and on the pads, clipped through square leg for a couple of runs. Excellent running between the wickets. |
| 28.3 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Fires it in on middle, fuller in length, it's hit back to the bowler. |
| 28.4 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Too full and on middle, it's eased down to long on for one. |
| 28.5 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Wide! Flatter and quicker, skidding down the leg side, the batsman fails to flick and it goes off Shahzad's pads towards short fine leg. They cross. |
| Ur Rahman to Imam, Shortish and on off, punched through extra cover for a run. |
| 28.6 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, Gets away with a poor delivery. Short and on off, pulled across the line but straight to the fielder inside the ring at mid-wicket. |
| Gulbadin Naib is back on. |
| 29.1 : G Naib to Imam, Smart batting! They know they need not do anything expansive so Imam just guides it down to third man and jogs to the other end. |
| 29.2 : G Naib to B Azam, A low full toss on off, Azam mistimes it towards wide mid off for a run. It was the slower one and hence, Azam could not time it. |
| 29.3 : G Naib to Imam, How is that for timing? Wow! That was right off the middle, through covers for a brace. |
| 29.4 : G Naib to Imam, A slower ball yorker on middle, Imam digs it out towards mid-wicket for a quick run. |
| 29.5 : G Naib to B Azam, FOUR! Azam now has decided to step on the accelerator. He stands tall, waits for the slower ball and pulls it over the mid-wicket fielder and into the fence. |
| 29.6 : G Naib to B Azam, Tucks the next ball through backward square leg and takes a run. 10 from the over and Pakistan need another 118 from 120 balls. |
| Mohammad Nabi is back into the attack. |
| 30.1 : M Nabi to B Azam, Azam flicks it through square leg and takes a quick run. Singles are all they need now. |
| 30.2 : M Nabi to Imam, Lovely! Just pushes it back past the bowler and takes a run. Really clever, they are milking the bowlers. |
| 30.3 : M Nabi to B Azam, Floats it up on off, Azam drives it to covers. |
| 30.4 : M Nabi to B Azam, Opens the face of his bat at the very last moment and guides it through point for a run. |
| 30.5 : M Nabi to Imam, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 30.6 : M Nabi to B Azam, Azam works it with the turn towards square leg for a single. |
| Mujeeb is back. |
| 31.1 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Flatter and quicker outside off, Imam cuts it to point. |
| 31.2 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Attacks the stumps, the batsman keeps it out. |
| 31.3 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Imam uses Mujeeb's pace and guides it through short third man. The batsmen run two. |
| 31.4 : Ur Rahman to Imam, The batsman has played it fine down the leg side. |
| 31.5 : Ur Rahman to Imam, Eases this through mid on and takes a run. |
| 31.6 : Ur Rahman to B Azam, On the stumps, Azam lunges and defends it. |
| 32.1 : M Nabi to Imam, Uses his feet but Nabi sees that. He bowls it short. Imam waits for it and works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 32.2 : M Nabi to Imam, On the pads, the batsman works it through mid-wicket and takes a run. |
| 32.3 : M Nabi to B Azam, Fries it in on the pads, Azam flicks it through square leg and takes a run. This is too easy, Afghanistan need to do something different. Maybe ask the spinners to flight the ball a little. Also attack a little more. |
| 32.4 : M Nabi to Imam, Flighted ball on off, Imam strokes it towards covers. |
| 32.5 : M Nabi to Imam, On off, it has been defended. |
| 32.6 : M Nabi to Imam, FOUR! Into the 80s goes Imam! He goes down on one knee and with the angle sweeps it over mid-wicket and into the fence. He got into position very early, maybe he per-meditated that shot. |
| Time for the 2nd and final Drinks break. |
| Do we have an interesting chase on our hands or what! Pakistan, with only a wicket down, look the favorites currently. However, this is cricket, and it's not over until the last ball is bowled or the last run is scored. A wicket or two, a few tight overs and the match will again be in the balance. Afghanistan desperately need quick wickets and restrict the flow of runs to build pressure on the Pakistan batsmen. Let's see what happens after the break... |
| Rashid Khan comes back for another shot. |
| 33.1 : R Khan to B Azam, Floated full ball on off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 33.2 : R Khan to Imam, Too full and on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for one. |
| Direct hit at the bowler's end. Afghanistan are ecstatic. They think they have got the breakthrough. It's referred upstairs. Is Imam short of the crease? |
| 33.3 : R Khan to Imam, OUT! Imam is well short of the crease. Is this the turning point of the match? Afghanistan are delighted. They still believe. 100 odd runs to play with still. Coming to the delivery, it's full and around off, Imam pushes it gently to cover-point and rushes across for a single. Najibullah Zadran attacks the ball inside the circle and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. They appeal, Rashid is all smiles and the umpire goes upstairs. The replays roll in and tell us why th |
| Haris Sohail is the new batsman. |
| 33.4 : R Khan to B Azam, Fuller and on middle, knocked down to long on for a single. |
| 33.5 : R Khan to H Sohail, Appeal for an lbw, not entertained. A leg spinner landing around off and turning back in, Sohail tries to defend but gets an INSIDE EDGE onto the pads. |
| 33.6 : R Khan to H Sohail, A googly has been pushed right back past the bowler for a single. End of a successful over for Afghanistan, 3 runs and a wicket from it. |
| 34.1 : M Nabi to H Sohail, Flatter on off, Sohail pushes it to covers. |
| 34.2 : M Nabi to H Sohail, Angles this into the pads, Sohail works it to mid-wicket. |
| 34.3 : M Nabi to H Sohail, Three dot balls as Nabi once again bowls it on the pads, Sohail flicks it to short fine leg. |
| 34.4 : M Nabi to H Sohail, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 34.5 : M Nabi to H Sohail, Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 34.6 : M Nabi to B Azam, Gets off strike now by easing it down to long on for a run but he was not at his best today. He finishes with figures of 10-0-50-0. |
| Big moment in the game! Shahzad with some neat work with the gloves may just have got Azam stumped. They have gone upstairs to check. Let's see. |
| 35.1 : R Khan to B Azam, OUT! Azam is short and Afghanistan are back into the game. It is Rashid Khan who gets Pakistan's talisman. But credit has to be given to Shahzad as he was lightning quick behind the stumps. It is the leggie from Rashid and it is just behind a driving length. Azam goes for the drive but the ball turns and beats his outside edge. Azam loses his balance and Shahzad behind the stumps, whips the bails off in a flash and appeals. He seems to be pretty confident but the umpire t |
| 0.0 : Shoaib Malik walks out to the middle. |
| 35.2 : R Khan to S Malik, The googly on off, Malik defends it off the back foot. |
| 35.3 : R Khan to S Malik, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 35.4 : R Khan to S Malik, Another googly outside off, Malik tries to defend but gets an inside edge through square leg for a run. He gets off the mark. |
| 35.5 : R Khan to H Sohail, The leggie, Sohail tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 35.6 : R Khan to H Sohail, Another appeal but the umpire shakes his head. The leg spinner again, Sohail tries to block but the ball kisses the inside edge and goes onto hit Sohail's pads. |
| 36.1 : Gulbadin Naib to S Malik, Malik has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 36.2 : Gulbadin Naib to S Malik, Good length delivery outside off, Malik reaches out for it and steers it through point. As soon as he hit it, he knew there were a couple of runs. Calls for it and completes it with ease. That's all experience does for you. |
| 36.3 : Gulbadin Naib to S Malik, MISFIELD, FOUR! Buck up, Afghanistan. You have the momentum at the moment, don't let it slip with a sloppy piece of fielding. A late dab down to third man by Malik and it races through. Mujeeb in the deep rushes across to his left, puts in a slide but makes a complete mess after that. It sneaks past him to meet the fence. |
| 36.4 : Gulbadin Naib to S Malik, Pitches it up and outside off, it's driven through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 36.5 : Gulbadin Naib to S Malik, Direct hit was the need of the hour! Full and on middle, Malik clips it through mid-wicket and returns for the second run. The fielder from the deep sends across the throw at the striker's end, not an accurate one, as Malik dives in. The keeper collects the ball but fails to throw it onto the stumps. |
| 36.6 : Gulbadin Naib to S Malik, A length ball on off, defended towards point. |
| 37.1 : R Khan to H Sohail, EDGY FOUR! Sohail will take it with both hands. It is short and quick outside off, Haris tries to cut but the ball goes of the outside edge, well wide of the fielder at short third man and races away. So after the wicket, runs are coming thick and fast. |
| 37.2 : R Khan to H Sohail, He picks the leggie this time and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 37.3 : R Khan to S Malik, DROPPED? Not sure! It was bowled quicker and outside off on the shorter side. Malik tries to cut but he seems to have missed. Shahzad behind the stumps fails to collect it. There was a noise there but not sure of what. Replays show there was an outside edge. So a chance does go abegging. Need all these to be taken, they do not have a lot to defend. Every half chance has to be taken. |
| 37.4 : R Khan to S Malik, EDGED AND SHORT! Rashid creating a lot of problems. Another leg spinner and at a quicker pace. Shoaib Malik goes back and tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes on the bounce to first slip. |
| 37.5 : R Khan to S Malik, The googly on off, Malik defends it off the back foot. |
| 37.6 : R Khan to S Malik, Tosses it up on off, Malik lunges and keeps it out. |
| Aftab Alam is back into the attack. |
| 38.1 : A Alam to H Sohail, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 38.2 : A Alam to S Malik, Shorter in length outside off, Malik punches it through covers for a run. |
| 38.3 : A Alam to H Sohail, Fuller in length on middle, Sohail strokes it through mid on for a run. |
| 38.4 : A Alam to S Malik, Slower bouncer! Malik swivels and pulls it all along the ground towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 38.5 : A Alam to H Sohail, Nicely waited for the slower ball to come to him and then guided it through short third man for a run. |
| 38.6 : A Alam to S Malik, On a length around off, the batsman defends it. A dot to end the over. 5 from it. 79 more needed in 66. |
| Mujeeb to have another go. |
| 39.1 : Ur Rahman to H Sohail, Flatter and quicker on off, Sohail, off the back foot, punches it through covers for a run. |
| 39.2 : Ur Rahman to S Malik, Flighted ball on off, Malik drives it to covers for a run. |
| 39.3 : Ur Rahman to H Sohail, The batsman has driven that ball straight back. One run added to the total. |
| 39.4 : Ur Rahman to S Malik, Guides it towards short third man and takes a run. |
| 39.5 : Ur Rahman to H Sohail, On the shorter side and on middle, Malik pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 39.6 : Ur Rahman to H Sohail, So, two dots to end the over! On the stumps, Sohail blocks it out. 75 needed off the last 10 now. |
| Powerplay 3 is signaled. Now a maximum of 5 fielders are allowed outside the ring till the end of the match. Gulbadin Naib comes back to bowl. |
| 40.1 : G Naib to S Malik, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! A nothing delivery, short, it had no pace on it. Malik had all the time in the world to pull it through backward square leg and the ball goes into the fence. Ideal start to this over, pressure on the bowler now. |
| 40.2 : G Naib to S Malik, Another classy shot, not for a boundary but for a couple. Full and on off, Malik opens the face of the bat and drives it square on the off side for a brace. 6 from the first two balls. |
| 40.3 : G Naib to S Malik, Now a dot! On a length around off, Malik pushes it to covers. |
| 40.4 : G Naib to S Malik, WIDE! Pressure getting to Naib. He bowls a wide ball outside off. An extra added to the total. |
| G Naib to S Malik, Smart! They have already got the runs needed per over and now they need not take any risk. Malik drops it towards point and takes a single. |
| 40.5 : G Naib to H Sohail, TWO BYES! Afghanistan just about losing it now! First Sohail is completely deceived by a slower ball. It goes to Shahzad on the bounce. He parries it towards square leg. The batsmen goes for a run, the fielder picks it up and has a needless shy at the non-striker's end. He misses and the batsmen run an overthrow. |
| 40.6 : G Naib to H Sohail, Driven through mid off by the batsman. One run added to the total. 11 from the over, a very expensive one. |
| 41.1 : Ur Rahman to H Sohail, OUT! In the air... taken! Afghanistan are still hanging in there. Haris Sohail departs for a low score. A poor shot to be honest, the last over went for around 11 runs and this risk was not needed. He though still takes it and tries to hit the ball over the long on fence. There is no timing on the ball and it goes towards long on, where Ihsanullah takes a decent catch after moving swiftly to his right. Another 64 needed in 53. |
| 0.0 : Sarfraz Ahmed, the skipper, is the new man in. |
| 41.2 : Ur Rahman to S Ahmed, Off the mark with a three! Very nicely played. Waited for it and guides it through short third man. Some good running helps the batsmen run three. |
| 41.3 : Ur Rahman to S Malik, Malik eases it down to long on and takes a run. |
| 41.4 : Ur Rahman to S Ahmed, Again short on the stumps, Sarfraz cuts it but finds backward point. |
| 41.5 : Ur Rahman to S Ahmed, Quicker on middle, SA blocks it out. |
| 41.6 : Ur Rahman to S Ahmed, Sarfraz chops it towards point and takes a run. A good over by Mujeeb, they needed this one, especially after the last one being expensive. Just 5 and a wicket from it. |
| Aftab Alam is back on. |
| 42.1 : A Alam to S Ahmed, A huge appeal but not given! Shortish outside off, Sarfraz tries to guide it through point but gets beaten. The ball moves a long way after passing the bat and hence an appeal. The umpire however, is not fooled. |
| 42.2 : A Alam to S Ahmed, On a length around off, Sarfraz tries to defend but gets an inside edge beside the stumps. Malik calls for a run and they complete it. |
| 42.3 : A Alam to S Malik, A low full toss on middle, Malik drives it down to long on for a run. |
| 42.4 : A Alam to S Ahmed, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. The umpire though feels there was no bat and has signaled it as a leg bye. |
| 42.5 : A Alam to S Malik, A slower bouncer on middle, it bounces like a tennis ball, above the batsman's head. Wide signaled. |
| A Alam to S Malik, On middle, Malik works it towards mid-wicket. He sets off for a run. The fielder has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| 42.6 : A Alam to S Ahmed, This is bowled on a length, Sarfraz drives it to mid off. A dot to end another good over! 5 from this one also. |
| Rashid Khan is back into the attack. He has three overs to go, three crucial overs. |
| 43.1 : R Khan to S Malik, A dot to begin! The leggie on off, Malik tries to defend but gets an outside edge towards short third man. |
| 43.2 : R Khan to S Malik, On the shorter side on middle, Malik punches it down to long on for a run. |
| 43.3 : R Khan to S Ahmed, The googly, slightly shorter in length. Sarfraz goes for the pull but the ball skids through. He mistimes the pull towards square leg for a run. |
| 43.4 : R Khan to S Malik, Left alone! Strange, maybe they are looking to play Rashid out. This is outside off, Malik shoulders arms to it. |
| 43.5 : R Khan to S Malik, A couple! Excellent cricket, excellent running! Shoaib works this googly towards mid-wicket. He plays it with soft hands and the batsmen run two. |
| 43.6 : R Khan to S Malik, 5 from this as it ends with a single. Malik punches it down to long on. |
| Gulbadin Naib is back for another burst. 49 needed off 36 balls. |
| 44.1 : G Naib to S Malik, A low full toss on off, Malik clips it straight towards mid-wicket and scampers across for a quick single. |
| 44.2 : G Naib to S Ahmed, A run out chance... MISSED! Slower short ball around off, it's pulled across the line and to the left side of the mid-wicket fielder inside the ring. He attacks the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end. Naib tries to collect it but misses and breaks the stumps with his hands. The replays show that a direct hit would have consumed Sarfraz. |
| 44.3 : G Naib to S Malik, Wide! Drifting down the leg side, Malik fails to get any bat behind it. |
| G Naib to S Malik, Again a low full toss outside off, Malik drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a sharp single. |
| 44.4 : G Naib to S Ahmed, Slower one in line of the stumps, it's tapped down on the off side for one. |
| 44.5 : G Naib to S Malik, Wide! Naib attempts the back of the hand slower ball but ends up serving it too wide outside off. Malik allows it through. |
| G Naib to S Malik, Follows the batsman down the leg side with a low full toss, Malik brings down a straight bat and forces it down to long on for a run. |
| 44.6 : G Naib to S Ahmed, OUT! Bowled off a full toss, can you believe it? Naib lures the batsman with a juicy delivery, slower in pace, Sarfraz makes space to hammer it through the line but misses the ball completely. The stumps are shattered and this game once again is thrown wide open. 42 needed off 30 balls. |
| Asif Ali is the new batsman. This boy can hit it to all parts. A very strong hitter. Meanwhile, Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back into the attack as well, he has one over left. |
| 45.1 : Ur Rahman to S Malik, Quicker and fuller on off, it's pushed calmly down through mid on for a run. |
| 45.2 : Ur Rahman to A Ali, A bit on the shorter side outside off, Asif gets back and plays it in front of square on the off side. The ball goes through the gap and he gets off the mark with a run. |
| 45.3 : Ur Rahman to S Malik, Turning down the leg side, Malik plays it with the spin to deep square leg for a single. |
| 45.4 : Ur Rahman to A Ali, Very full and on middle, Asif keeps it out on the leg side and the mid-wicket fielder makes the stop. |
| 45.5 : Ur Rahman to A Ali, A mishit! Mujeeb tosses it up and bowls it around off. A wrong 'un which probably is picked up by Asif as he winds up for a big slog sweep over the leg side. But ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 45.6 : Ur Rahman to A Ali, That wasn't very far away from the stumps! Tossed up ball on off, turning in, Asif gets back and blocks it off the inside edge. The ball drops in front of the sticks and goes closely past the leg pole. |
| Rashid Khan is back on. He has two overs left. 39 needed off 24 balls. Interesting finish, this. |
| 46.1 : R Khan to S Malik, Flatter and shorter on off, Malik goes back and hits it against the spin to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 46.2 : R Khan to A Ali, SIX! That's big! Gigantic. Told you, this boy can hit big. A flighted ball around off, turning back in, Ali goes down on one knee and smokes it over mid-wicket for a maximum. 32 needed off 22 balls. |
| 46.3 : R Khan to A Ali, OUT! Asif Ali holes out! Rashid strikes back. This game is going right down to the wire, folks. A quicker one by the leggie, fuller and outside off, Asif targets the long off stand this time but gets more elevation than distance. Aftab Alam in the deep makes no mistake. |
| Mohammad Nawaz is the new batsman. |
| 46.4 : R Khan to M Nawaz, Dot ball. Flatter and shorter around off, Nawaz gets across the stumps to work it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the front pad. |
| 46.5 : R Khan to M Nawaz, A wrong 'un landing around middle and skidding through, Nawaz at the last moment brings his bat down and keeps it out towards backward point. A sharp single stolen. |
| 46.6 : R Khan to S Malik, Risky second run! Dipping onto the batsman, a low full toss, Malik gets forward and across before flicking it through mid-wicket. He scampers back for the second run as the fielder releases his throw at the striker's end. The keeper, however, breaks the stumps before collecting the ball. 29 required off 18 balls. |
| This over will be targeted, one can sense. Aftab Alam has the ball in his hand. |
| 47.1 : A Alam to M Nawaz, Dot ball. Angles in a length ball from 'round the wicket, Nawaz defends it back to the bowler. |
| 47.2 : A Alam to M Nawaz, Gives no pace on this delivery as he serves it on a fuller length outside off. Nawaz drags it off the inner half of the bat to long on for one. |
| Slight delay as the bowler and captain are having a chat over where to keep the fielders. The overrate is already very poor but no one cares these days. |
| 47.3 : A Alam to S Malik, Too full in length and outside off, Malik drives it to deep cover and takes a brace. |
| 47.4 : A Alam to S Malik, Fine yorker, hitting the blockhole, no room for the batsman to free his arms. Malik digs it out at the last moment. It hits him on the pads before deflecting on the off side and they steal a single. |
| 47.5 : A Alam to M Nawaz, SIX! This was on the cards! Alam was getting a bit predictable with his slower ones. As soon as he drops it short, Nawaz attacks it with all his power and sends it packing over wide long on. An 82m hit! |
| 47.6 : A Alam to M Nawaz, Finds the yorker around middle and leg, Nawaz tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the off side and they cross. 11 from the over, 18 more needed off 12 balls. |
| Big over! This will probably decide the game. Rashid to bowl. One can feel the tension here. |
| 48.1 : R Khan to M Nawaz, Quicker one around middle and leg, Nawaz swings and gets it away through square leg for a run. |
| 48.2 : R Khan to S Malik, Dances down the track to a full ball and heaves it over mid-wicket. Only a single. |
| 48.3 : R Khan to M Nawaz, OUT! Boom! Rashid, you superstar! He sends it flat and quicker through the air. It lands around leg and scoots through off the surface. Nawaz tries to power it across the line but misses to find his stumps disturbed. 16 needed off 9 balls. |
| Hasan Ali joins Malik in the middle. |
| 48.4 : R Khan to H Ali, SIX! Hasan Ali has dismissed it. Wow, what a clean strike. A flighted full ball around off, Ali goes down on one knee and muscles it over mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| 48.5 : R Khan to H Ali, Flatter and on off, skidding through, Ali tries to cut but misses. |
| 48.6 : R Khan to H Ali, Play and a miss! A wrong 'un landing outside off, and spinning back in a touch, Ali attempts for the slog sweep but fails to connect. That wasn't far away from the off pole. 8 runs off Rashid's final over along with a wicket. 10-0-46-3, his figures tonight. |
| 10 needed off 6 balls. Afghanistan scored 14 in their last over, can Pakistan get 4 less? Malik is on strike and one would expect him to finish it. Can the bowler keep his cool? |
| 49.1 : A Alam to S Malik, Well bowled. Too full in length and outside off, Malik drives it straight to covers and sends Hasan back who was eyeing a single. |
| 49.2 : A Alam to S Malik, SIX! That's colossal! Alam drags his length short and lands it on middle, Malik turns inside the crease and rockets it over square leg for a biggie. This is experience for you. What a player! 4 needed off 4 balls. |
| 49.3 : A Alam to S Malik, FOUR! All over, PAKISTAN WIN BY 3 WICKETS! Malik has done it. Alam delivers it full and on middle, Shoaib gets across the stumps and whips it behind backward square leg for the winning runs. He also brings up his 42nd ODI fifty with that shot! He is a man for the crisis for Pakistan. Sarfraz in the dressing room screams in joy, Hasan is all pumped up. The batsmen hug each other in the middle. Some sad Afghanistan players in tears. Aftab Alam is down on his haunches, he i |
| WHAT A THRILLER! Humdinger, nail-biter, call it whatever you want to. Feel sorry for the Afghan players, a few of them are down on the ground in tears but you have to credit Shoaib Malik, who showed nerves of steel, took it upon himself by rejecting a single off the very first ball and then finishing it with a maximum and a four. That is what you expect from someone who has so much experience. Brilliant! Don't forget, Shoaib Malik was dropped on 11 by Mohammad Shahzad and it truly cost them the |
| First, it was Afghanistan, who batted and managed to put up a competitive total on the board, courtesy Shahidi's unbeaten 97. He anchored the innings quite diligently and the rest played around him. Along with Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah first stitched a 63-run stand and then, his partnership with skipper, Asghar helped Afghanistan cross the 250-run mark. A total which they were very pleased with at the half-way stage. |
| During the chase, Afghanistan pegged Pakistan back early by dismissing Fakhar Zaman for a duck. However, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam joined forces and the two showed great resolve in dealing with the Afghan bowlers, especially their spinners. The pair stitched in a massive 154-run stand and put Pakistan on the front foot. Both got to their half centuries and once they did so, they stepped on the accelerator. When the two were batting, Pakistan looked on course for an easy win but a run out change |
| Afghanistan started choking the flow of runs and also managed to pick wickets at regular intervals. Rashid Khan once again was the tormentor-in-chief picking up a three-fer. Mujeeb was also excellent throughout his spell. They bowled exceptionally to bring the equation down to 39 in the last 4 overs. Asif Ali and Mohammad Nawaz didn't play big knocks but hit a maximum each to narrow down the runs required. When these two departed, Afghanistan sniffed in a chance to get their first ODI win over P |
| Afghanistan captain, Asghar Afghan, thanks the Almighty first. Congratulates the Pakistan team for the victory. Adds further that it was a thrilling game and the crowd must have enjoyed a lot. States that this was the first close game of the tournament, so far. Credits Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq for the way they played after the early departure of Fakhar Zaman. Admits that had Shoaib Malik's catch been taken by Shahzad then the result could have been different. Ends by saying that Pakistan neede |
| Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed, thanks the almighty first. Adds further that they were nervous after losing Fakhar Zaman early but credits the partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-Ul-Haq and also feels that Shoiab Malik's innings at the end was special. Admits that Afghanistan batted very sensibly and managed to set up a good target. Feels that Afghanistan have three of the world's best spinners. Feels that any target above 250 on such pitches will be a challenge to chase down and today Paki |
| Man of the Match, Shoaib Malik says, being a senior player, he knows that when they are chasing such a target and moreover, after a good partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-Ul-Haq, his job mainly was to stay at the crease till the end. Also feels that he was confident that if they go till the end then they will win as they have some hard hitting batsmen lower down who can hit the big shots. States that bowlers are generally confident bowling in the middle overs and are in a lookout to take w |
| So that is it from this game! Pakistan have come out victorious by just though. Also, India have toppled Bangladesh quite comfortably in the other one. The Super Four stage however continues as we have mouth-watering contests on Sunday. Afghanistan will be taking on Bangladesh whereas India will lock horns with Pakistan. Both will begin at 1530 Local (1130 GMT). Till then, goodbye and take care. |
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