Afghanistan emerged victorious in the second T20 international against Pakistan, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game serieﷺs at Sharjah.
In the closing overs, Afghanistan faced some nerve-wracking moments as they needed 30 runs from the last three overs and 22 runs from the last two. However, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi played a significant role in hitting a six each off pace bowler Naseem Shah in the penultimate over to reduce the target to five runs. Eventually, Zadran scored the winning boundary off Zaman Khan’s last over, with Afghanistan chasi🎉ng down the 131-run target with one ball to spare.
Pakistan had set a target of 130-6 in 20 overs, built around a slow 57-ball 64 not out by all-rounder Imad Wasim – his maiden T20I half-century. Imad led Pakistan’s recovery and added 67 runs for the sixth wicket with skipper Shadab Khan, who scored 32 off 25 balls. However, Pakistan had a disastrous start with left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi claiming Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, both for nought, in the first over of the innings. Farooqi finished with 2-19 in his four 💮overs. Shafique, who made his debut in November 2020, has been dismissed for nought on four successive occasions in five T20Is.
Afghanistan’s victory was their first bilateral T20I series against any of the top six teams, which include India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Previously, they had won a T20I series against the West Indies, Bangladesh and five in five against Zimbabwe.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
What an epic victory 🇦🇫 Afghanistan makes history, winning the first-ever crick🉐et series against the long-standing rivalܫ, Pakistan.
— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT)
Wow…. This is called a thumping win — what a victory …. All dues settled –
Now a Three Nill clean sweep Next !!!— Shoaib A. Rahim (@ShoaibbinRahim)
Co🔜ngratulations well deserved historic victory over . played a big role with bat & bowl to get over the line.
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22)
A𝐆fghanistan Won the T20 Series Against P🌞akistan !
— Tanay (@tanay_chawda1)
What a moment for Afghanistan cricket. 🇦🇫
Afghanistan win the series against Pakistan for the first time and this is also their first-ever series victory against a team who are ranked abovꦗe 6th in🍬 ICC rankings.
— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75)
4 losses in 5 T20I matches as Pakistan captain
Termed 'clueless' captain by former cricketers
Yet to qualify for PSL final after leℱading IU in four s🐓easons
Rate his captaincy out of 10?🤔
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk)
Congratulations 🎉 😊👏🏻🏏
What a great day for Afghanistan 🇦🇫
Af𝓡ghan blue tigers won the second T20 match froꦐm Pakistan.— Visit Afghanistan 🇦🇫 (@VisitAFG)
Well played congrat🍒s on the win, and you were amazing as always. Good move my to believe in the upcoming talent but they should have been accompanied by senior players to transfer on field experience and not sit on the bench
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial)
Afghanistan seal the series.
Scorecard:— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Incredible – Absolutely Incredible 👏🙌 have successfully chased down 's target of 131 runs by 7 wickets with to make history as they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. 🤩
Congratulations to the whole nation 🇦🇫 |
— Afghanistan Cri✨cket Board (@ACBofficials)
Congratulations 📖to the cricket team for a convincing win over in the second T20 match. History created by the blue tigers today by winning the first ever T20 series. This is a confid𓂃ence booster for to take on mighty cricket teams.
— Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید مﷺاموندزی (@FMamundzay)
Congratulations to Afghanistan who follow up their 1st ever T20 win against Pakistan with their 1st series win against Pakistan. They've been the better team in these 2 games. Pakistan need to reflect on some of the baffling tactical errors that ultimately cost them
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
Alhamdulillah!
Mubarak to all Afghans! 🇦🇫🧿❤️
Thank you for making💮 all Afghans and Afghanistan’s frienꦦds so proud and happy.— Farzana Elham Kochai (@Farzanakochai)
Nobody should call this 'unbelievable'. I totally believed this day was coming. We have finally floored a cricketing giant. The floodgates have opened. Afghanistan are here and we are to be taken seriously from now on. Absolutely proud of my
— Hameed Shuja (@hameedshuja)
