Pakistan Clinch Asia Cup 2022 Final Spot With A Thrilling 1-Wicket Win Against Afghanistan

Pakistan will now face off against Sri Lanka in the final of Asia Cup 2022 on September 11th (Sunday).

Cricket Image for Pakistan Clinch Asia Cup 2022 Final Spot With A Thrilling 1-Wicket Win Against Afg (Image Source: GoogleAFP)

PAK vs AFG: In an edge-of-the-seat thriller game, Pakistan clinched a 1-wicket win against Afghanistan to confirm their spot in the Asia Cup 2022 finals. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will face off in the Asia Cup 2022 finals now with 2 wins each in Super 4, while India and Afghanistan are now eliminated with 2 losses each in the Super 4 stage. 

Chasing a modest total of 130, Pakistan lost captain Babar Azam for a golden duck in the very first over. Fakhar Zaman (5) was also dismissed in the 4th over, followed by Mohammad Rizwan's wicket in the 9th over. Pakistan went on to lose wickets at regular intervals after a 42-run partnership for the 4th wicket between Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab Khan(36).

However, with a low total to chase down and a quick knock from Asif Ali (16 from 8 balls) brought the situation down to 11 runs off the last over. But 19-year-old Naseem Shah, smacked 2 sixes against Fazalhaq Farooqi on the first two balls of the last over, taking his team across the line with a wicket and 4 balls in hand. 

For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq and Fareed Ahmad Malik grabbed three wickets each while Rashid Khan managed 2 wickets but the total proved too low to be defended. In the first innings, Courtesy of a brilliant bowling performance, Pakistan restricted Afghanistan to 129/6 in 20 overs. 

It was a collective bowling performance from the Pakistani bowlers. Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadad Khan - all managed 1 wicket each while Haris Rauf picked up 2 wickets, with a wicket and 1 run-over in the 17th over of the Afghan innings. 

For Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran was the top scorer with 35 runs off 37 balls comprising 2 fours & a six while opener Hazratullah Zazai scored 21 runs off 17 balls with 4 fours. None of the other batters were able to cross the 20-run mark.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss & opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the 4th match of the Super 4 stage in Asia Cup 2022. This match was played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. 

Brief Score:

• Afghanistan - 129/6 (Zadran - 35(37), Rauf - 2/26)
• Pakistan - 131/9 in 19.2 overs (Shadab - 36(26), Fareed/Fazalhaq - 3/31)