PAK vs AFG: Pakistan avoid clean sweep against Afghanistan following bowling masterclass
The third and final T20I of the three-match series between Afghanistan and Pakistan saw the Shadab Khan-led side deny Afghanistan a clean sweep as the series finished 2-1 in favor of Afghanistan. After the Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan clinched the series early after winning the first two matches, Pakistan were keen on avoiding further humiliation as they had already lost the series.
As the third T20I came around, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. Batting first, Pakistan lost Mohammad Haris early for just one run. However, it was Saim Ayub, who was fabulous for the Men in Green as the 20-year-old scored 49 runs in 40 deliveries. Afghanistan put in a subpar performance with the ball as Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the highest wicket taker for the side with two wickets to his name.
After the first innings, Pakistan had heavily improved upon their performances from the previous games. Decent batting knocks by the middle-order helped them post 182 runs on the board in 20 overs. Afghanistan had to reply in kind as they came in to bat.
Bowling masterclass helped Pakistan register a win in third T20I
After an excellent showing with the bat, it was time for the Pakistan bowlers to replicate the same kind of performance with the ball as well. The relentless bowling of the Men in Green proved too much to handle for Afghanistan in the end.
Both Ihsanullah and skipper Shadab Khan were fabulous with the ball. Taking three wickets in the four overs they bowled, both bowlers produced stellar spells against an already struggling Afghanistan side.
Mohammad Wasim, Zaman Khan, and Imad Wasim all took a wicket each as well, which saw Afghanistan bundle out for 116 runs. Despite winning the series, they could not register a clean sweep as Pakistan won the game by 66 runs. Shadab Khan was named Player of the Match for scoring 28 runs and taking three wickets.