Pakistan avoided a huge shock to keep their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 alive with a nervy three-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Headi🧜ngley cricket ground in Leeds ཧon Saturday.
Afghanistan looked on course for their first victory of the tournament as Pakistan fell to 156 forᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ six chasing a total of 228, but unbeaten 49 from Imad Wasim 🌺saw the Men in Green over the line with two balls to spare.
Earlier, Afghanistan off-spinner Mohammad Nabi took two quick wickets to slow Pakistan’s progress in the match.
A third straight victory for Pakistan would see them leapfrog England and move into fourth place in the points table after a poor start to the tournament.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Gulbadin … !!!!!!! Wtf ….
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Legend says the Afghan is full of heart & grit. Never goes down without a fi𓃲ght. This World Cup has shown us that. Great performances by the team. I hope they get a lot more opportunities at the international stage & evolve as one of the top international teams.
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
Kya baat hai aur bhai. Kya baat hai. We and the entire country are proud of the way you handled pressure today. rakho Pakistan, keep ꦺpraying, keep supporting, you are the 12th man, you give us hope.
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan)
Heart still beating as fast as i've just bowled a 100 mph over.
In the end, barely managed to cross the line. Imad took responsibility & won it in the end, Shaheen going strong.
One step closer.
We need ൲to continue supporting Af🔯ghanistan cricket as Pakistanis.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
Nail biting end but heartbreak ꦿfor t🐻he Afghans !!! Fought very very hard Feel for I enjoyed the game very much though
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69)
Congratulations to team 🇵🇰 really a good win under extreme pressure excellent winning knock & that huge🦋 six by that really turned the match good boys keep ꦺgoing like this.Hard luck you gave tough time.
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23)
Just when we thought are going to taste victory, it is Imad Wasim who has sealed it for heꦑ has definitely become a hero toda🍰y. What a thriller😍🏏
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
Afghanistan had the game firmly in their hands till the 46th over with Pakistan needing 46 from 5. A tactical blunder by the captain to get himself on along with missing ൩out on a DRS ꦫlbw of Imad due to a poor appeal earlier has cost them the match. Well played Imad
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Pa🥂kistan won the match but Afghanistan won many hearts. It shows the World Cup pressure. Great game 👏👏 chin-up you guys have done a great job..
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
Only just but weꦍ live another day and keep the hopes alive . Well played and . Great fight . Another great game
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt)
Pushed India. Troubled Pakistan. Enough of winning hearts….it’s about time Afghanistan wins few of these close games. Next edition, perhaps….
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Tough luck .. You have made your presence felt🐲 this w𒀰orld cup. The future looks bright if they sort their internal issues
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
Most 6s in for Pakistan – Wahab 'Champion' Riaz!
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi)
Does Gulbadin Naib make it to Afghanistan playing XI if he is not the c𝐆aptain?
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats)
Congratulations Pakistan. What a nail biting match it was.
Well played Afghanistan.
Well done boys 👍— Mir Hamza (@mirhamza_k)
Ye Gulbadin Naib Afghanistan ki taraf se khel rha tha ya pakistan ki taraf se …..
— Deepak Vishwakarma (@deepak_7879)
Remember the name – Gulbadin Naib 😂🙏
— Jugnu (@Jugnu09)
Gulbadin na⛎ib single handedly won the game for pakistan
— Deepak Naik (@RedDevile)
