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 Headingle🤪y cricket ground in Leedꦦs on Saturday.
Afghanistan looked on course for their first victory oꦜf the tournament as Pakista𓄧n fell to 156 for 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 fight. This World Cup has shown us that. Great performanc𝕴es 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 to continue supporting Afghanistan cricket as Pakista🔜nis.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
Nail biting end but heartbreak for the 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 lucꦺk you gav🎉e tough time.
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23)
Just when we thought are going to taste victory, it is Imad Wasim who ha﷽s sealed it for he has definitely become a hero today. What a thrꦯiller😍🏏
— 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 g﷽et himself on along with missing out on a DRS lbw of 😼Imad due to a poor appeal earlier has cost them the match. Well played Imad
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
Pakistanﷺ won the match but Afghanistan won many hearts. It shows the World Cup pressure. Great game 👏👏 chin-up you guy🐲s have done a great job..
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
Only just but we live another day and keep the hopesﷺ 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 pres💮ence felt this world c𓂃up. 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)
Do💯es Gulbadin Naib make it to Afghanistan playing XI if he is not the captain?
— 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 naib single handedly won tꦇhe🌳 game for pakistan
— Deepak Naik (@RedDevile)
