| 0.2 : 0.2: 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. |
| 2.6 : 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. |
| 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. |
| 9.1 : 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. |
| 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 |
| 12.6 : 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. |
| 22.3 : 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. |
| 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 |
| 25.4 : 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. |
| 28.1 : 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. |
| 35.4 : 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 : 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. |
| 37.3 : 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. |
| 37.5 : 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. |
| 40.4 : 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. |
| 41.3 : 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. |
| 41.6 : 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 |
| 43.3 : 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. |
| 43.6 : 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. |
| 46.2 : 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. |
| 46.4 : 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. |
| 46.6 : 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. |
| 47.5 : 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. |
| 48.4 : 48.4: 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. |
| 49.1 : 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 : 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 : 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. |
| 0.6 : 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 |
| 1.1 : 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. |
| 1.5 : 1.5: 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. |
| 3.2 : 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. |
| 4.3 : 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. |
| 7.5 : 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. |
| 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. |
| 21.2 : 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. |
| 27.4 : 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. |
| 27.6 : 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. |
| 29.5 : 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. |
| 32.6 : 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. |
| 33.3 : 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 |
| 35.1 : 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 |
| 36.3 : 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. |
| 37.1 : 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 44.6 : 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. |
| 46.2 : 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 : 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. |
| 47.5 : 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! |
| 48.3 : 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. |
| 48.4 : 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. |
| 49.2 : 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 : 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 |
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