T20 WC 2021: PAK vs AFG Review – Asif Ali’s heroics extend Pakistan’s winning streak

Pakistan continued their march towards the semi-finals as they defeated Afghanistan in a closely fought game at the Dubai International Stadium on October 29. Chasing a total of 148, Pakistan managed to get there in style with some lusty blows from Asif Ali. This was their third win on the trot and Afghanistan’s first loss in the tournament after their opening win versus Scotland.

Earlier in the evening, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first. None of their top four batters could get going and the bad start hurt Afghanistan. Karim Janat made 15 while Najibullah Zadran scored 22. At 76 for 6, they might have considered the match was gone. But a 71-run stand between Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib pulled things back for them. Both scored 35 runs each. That elevated their score to 147 for 6.

Imad Wasim got two wickets for Pakistan, while Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali picked up a wicket each. Pakistan didn’t have a bright start losing Mohammad Rizwan early. However, Babar Azam stayed firm at one each with Fakhar Zaman scoring 30 runs. Babar eventually scored 51 runs. Shoaib Malik made 19 runs.

Afghanistan kept things tight through, taking it to the death overs. However, it was Asif Ali who finished the job in style for Pakistan once again with his 7-ball 25, knocking off the chase with an over to spare. Rashid Khan picked up two wickets, while Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq picked one wicket each.

Top performers:

Imad Wasim: His service with the bat was not required but his spell made a lot of difference. He bowled tight lines as usual and got the wickets of Hazratullah Zazai and Karim Janat at crucial junctures of the game. He even conceded only 25 runs in his four overs.

Asif Ali: The hard-hitter was left out in several matches ahead of this tournament but he is making the most of his chances. He finished the job against New Zealand in the last game and did something more special in this game. Pakistan needed 24 runs from the last two overs, Ali saw it as four sixes. Karim Janat was smacked all over the park as Pakistan sailed home.

 Achievements/records:

• Rashid Khan became the quickest to reach 100 T20I wickets in just 53 matches.

• The stand of 71 runs between Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib is the second-highest seventh-wicket partnership in T20 World Cups, behind Mike Hussey and Steve Smith’s 74 run-stand against Bangladesh in 2010.

Way ahead:

Afghanistan will now face Namibia on October 31 while Pakistan’s next game is also against Namibia on November 02.