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.
Chaꦍsing 258 to win, Pakistan overhauled the target with just three balls to💜 spare with Shoaib playing the match-winning knock.
Pakistan required 10 runs from the last ove🌺r and Shoaib dispatched pacer Aftab Alam for a six and four after playing a dot ball.
Before Shoaib, Imam-ul-Haq (80) and Babar Azam (60) hit patient half-centurꦫies in a 154-run stand but the slow run ra🏅te made it difficult for Pakistan.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Ha😼s🐻hmatullah 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 ga🀅me of cricket,ও Afghanistan fought hard. Masterful knock by Shoaib Malik. Well played Imam and Babar. Keep up the good work 🇵🇰
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial)
Amazing work Bhai 😍 You are a true champion & an absolute . Lion hearted effort. Congrats & commiserations . Well pla🌟yed , , , . Unlucky , &
— Imran Khan (@ImeeK218)
Pakistan have won the match but Afghanistan surely has won the hearts! This match should be an eye opener for Pakistan. No more complacency, stop taking your place in🍷 team for granted.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani)
Congratulations Pakistan. Great job𝄹 guys. Well played Afghanistan, put up a🍌 good fight.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
Shoaib Malik wins it with a couple of cꦰrosscourt forehands
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75)
What a finish by !
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial)
Pakistan's best player under pressure is still Shoaib Malik
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Shoai🔴b Malik is one of the most under-rated limited overs hitter & finished, what a champion. Clever cricket. 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 af🍷ter a tough coไmpetition, lifting up a devastated young 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)
