In pics: Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2018, Super 4, Match 2
Hashmatullah Shahidi missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan had a slow start against a disciplined bowling attack of Pakistan scoring 26 runs in the first nine overs (AFP Image)
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, playing in place of injured Shadab Khan, removed both the openers in quick succession to leave Afghanistan in a spot of bother at 31 for two (AFP Image)
Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi then steadied the innings with a 63-run stand for the third wicket. Shah made 36 but became Nawaz’s third victim of the day (AFP Image)
Shahidi was joined by skipper Asghar Afghan and the duo added 94 runs for the fourth wicket in 16.3 over to drive Afghanistan (AFP Image)
Afghan hit five sixes and two fours in his 56-ball 67-run knock before he was picked up debutant Shaheen Afridi (AFP Image)
Shahidi then upped the ante and finished on 97 off 118 deliveries to help Afghanistan post 256/7 (AFP Image)
In reply, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman in the very first over to Mujeeb ur Rahman (AFP Image)
Imam ul Haq and (80) and Babar Azam then combined for a stand of 153 runs in 32.3 overs to set Pakistan on course for a victory (AFP Image)
However, Afghanistan clawed back removing both the set batsmen in the space of three overs. Azam was picked up Rashid while Imam was run out (AFP Image)
Pakistan’s middle order crumbled under sustained pressure from Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman (AFP Image)
Rashid finished with 3 for 46 in his 10 overs, while Mujeeb registered 2 for 33 (AFP Image)
In the end, it took the experienced Shoaib Malik to get Pakistan out of jail as he remained unbeaten on 51 off 43 balls, taking 10 runs off the last over and helping Pakistan edge Afghanistan by three wickets in the best match of the 2018 Asia Cup so far (AFP Image)