Experienced Shoaib Malik conjured up a crucial unbeaten 51 under pressure as Pakistan survived a scare from Afghanistan, winning their ‘Super Four’ match of the Asia Cup 2018 by three wickets in Abu Dhabi.
Chasing 258 to win, Pakistan overhauled the target with just three balls to spare with Sho𝄹aib playing the match-winning knock.
Pakistan required 10 runs from the last over and 🍸Shoaib dispatched pacer Aftab Alam for a six and four after playing a dot bal🐼l.
Before Shoaib, Imam-ul-Haq (80) and Ba🍃bar Azam (60) hit patient half-centuries in a 154-run stand but the slow run rate made it difficult for Pakistan.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Hashmatullah Shahidi (97) ꦺmissed out on his maiden ODI hundred by just three runs after skipper Asghar Afghan hit a combative 67 off 56 balls as Afghanistan scored a fighting 257 for six.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the match:
Great win Pakistan! What a game of cricket, Afghanistan fought hard. Masterful knock by Shoaib Malik. Well played Imam and Babar. Keep🐭 up the good work 🇵🇰
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial)
Amazing work Bhai 😍 Y𒅌ou are a true champion & an absolute . Lion hearted effort. Congrats & commiserations . Well played , , , . Unlucky , &
— Imran Khan (@ImeeK218)
Pakistan have won the match but Afghanistan surely has won the hearts! This match should be an eyeꦿ opener for Pakistan. No more complacency, stop tak🌼ing your place in team for granted.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani)
Congratulations Pakistan. Great job guys. Well play🧜ed Afghanistan, put up a good fight.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
Shoaib﷽ Malik wins it with a couple of crosscourt forehands🐈
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75)
What a finish by !
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial)
Pakistan's best player under pressure is still Shoaib Malik
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Shoaib Malik is one of the most under-rated limited overs hitter & finished, what a champion. Clever cricket𝓰. Batted . Brilliant win Pakistan, Congratulaions 👏
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket)
Well played, Pakistan. Well fought, Afghanistan….finally a thriller in
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
What a class act, Shoaib Malik.
Showing such heart after a tough com൲petition, lifting up a devastated y👍oung opponent.
— Mujib Mashal (@MujMash)
He broke Afghan hearts by holding his nerve and claiming a half-century to give Pakistan victory in the final over – is named Player of the Match after an epic battle! 👏
— ICC (@ICC)
