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Pakistan managed a nail-biting victory in a thrilling encounter against Afghanistan at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (August 23). The Green Team won the game by just one wicket and gained an unassailable lead in the three-match series. The intense match also saw a bizarre non-striker run out that sent the game’s hero, Shadab Khan, back to the pavilion at a crunch moment of the game.
Toss and Afghanistan innings
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan put up a competitive total of 300/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the star of their innings, amassing an impressive 151 runs off 151 deliveries, including fourteen fours and three sixes. Ibrahim Zadran supported him well with a solid 80 runs off 101 balls. Pakistan’s bowlers had a mixed day, with Shaheen Afridi and Usama Mir picking up two wickets each.
Pakistan’s innings
In reply, Pakistan showcased a strong batting performance, chasing down the target with just one wicket in hand and one ball to spare. Imam ul Haq played a crucial role, anchoring the innings with a well-composed 91 runs off 105 balls. Babar Azam contributed a valuable half-century with 53 runs off 66 deliveries. However, it was Shadab’s explosive knock of 48 runs that turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour before he fell victim to a bizarre non-striker’s run-out from Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi.
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Fazalhaq Farooqi’s game awareness and Shadab Khan’s run-out
It all happened during the final stage of the innings when Shadab was batting on 48, and Pakistan needed 11 runs off last over. Charging up for his run-up, Farooqi soon realised that the Pakistani batter had left the crease before he had even released the ball and stopped midway through his action to dislodge the bail in a moment of sheer awareness. The presence of mind from the Afghan pacer helped his team get rid of the dangerous batter at a crucial stage of the game.
On the other hand, Shadab didn’t seem happy with his dismissal as he shook his head in disbelief while walking back to the pavilion.
Here’s the video:
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Courtesy Farooqi's 𝔾𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝔸𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤.#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/Vh2q4E46QV
— FanCode (@FanCode) August 24, 2023
Dramatic Finish
Despite Shadab’s wicket, the match witnessed a thrilling climax as Pakistan managed to clinch the victory in the final over, edging past Afghanistan’s total by just one wicket. Although Afghanistan bowlers fought hard, with Farooqi leading the attack and taking three wickets, the Afghan team failed to pull off a win.
Shadab was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his fierce cameo with the bat.
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