Pakistan avoided a huge shock to keep their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 alive with a nervy three-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Headingley cricket ground in Leeds on Saturday.
Afghanistan looked on course for their first victory of the tournament as Pakistan fell to 156 for six chasing a total of 228, but unbeaten 49 from Imad Wasim saw the Men in Green over the line with two balls to spare.
Earlier, Afghanistan off-spinner Mohammad Nabi took two quick wickets to slow Pakistan’s progress in the match.
A third straight victory for Pakistan would see them leapfrog England and move into fourth place in the points table after a poor start to the tournament.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Gulbadin … !!!!!!! Wtf ….
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 29, 2019
Legend says the Afghan is full of heart & grit. Never goes down without a fight. This World Cup has shown us that. Great performances by the team. I hope they get a lot more opportunities at the international stage & evolve as one of the top international teams. #PAKVAFG #CWC19
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) June 29, 2019
Kya baat hai @WahabViki aur @simadwasim bhai. Kya baat hai. We and the entire country are proud of the way you handled pressure today. #Yakeen rakho Pakistan, keep praying, keep supporting, you are the 12th man, you give us hope. #WeHaveWeWill #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/VUn19oRsgU
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) June 29, 2019
Heart still beating as fast as i've just bowled a 100 mph over.
In the end, barely managed to cross the line. Imad took responsibility & won it in the end, Shaheen going strong.
One step closer.
We need to continue supporting Afghanistan cricket as Pakistanis.#PAKvsAFG #CWC19— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 29, 2019
Nail biting end but heartbreak for the Afghans !!! Fought very very hard #Cwc2019 #AFGvPAK Feel for @ACBofficials I enjoyed the game very much though
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 29, 2019
Congratulations to team 🇵🇰 really a good win under extreme pressure excellent winning knock @simadwasim & that huge six by @WahabViki that really turned the match @TheRealPCB good boys keep going like this.Hard luck @ACBofficials you gave tough time.
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) June 29, 2019
Just when we thought @ACBofficials are going to taste victory, it is Imad Wasim who has sealed it for @TheRealPCB he has definitely become a hero today. What a thriller😍🏏#CWC19 #PAKvAFG
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 29, 2019
Afghanistan had the game firmly in their hands till the 46th over with Pakistan needing 46 from 5. A tactical blunder by the captain to get himself on along with missing out on a DRS lbw of Imad due to a poor appeal earlier has cost them the match. Well played Imad #PAKvAFG
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 29, 2019
Pakistan won the match but Afghanistan won many hearts. It shows the World Cup pressure. Great game 👏👏 chin-up #Afghanistan you guys have done a great job.. #PakVsAfghan
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) June 29, 2019
Only just but we live another day and keep the hopes alive @TheRealPCB . Well played @simadwasim and @WahabViki . Great fight @ACBofficials . Another great game @cricketworldcup
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) June 29, 2019
Pushed India. Troubled Pakistan. Enough of winning hearts….it’s about time Afghanistan wins few of these close games. Next edition, perhaps…. #CWC19 #PakvAfg
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 29, 2019
Tough luck @ACBofficials .. You have made your presence felt this world cup. The future looks bright if they sort their internal issues #cwc19 #PAKvsAFG
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) June 29, 2019
Most 6s in #CWC19 for Pakistan – Wahab 'Champion' Riaz! #PAKvsAFG
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) June 29, 2019
Does Gulbadin Naib make it to Afghanistan playing XI if he is not the captain? #PAKvAFG #CWC19
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 29, 2019
Congratulations Pakistan. What a nail biting match it was.
Well played Afghanistan.
Well done boys 👍#WeHaveWeHill— Mir Hamza (@mirhamza_k) June 29, 2019
Ye Gulbadin Naib Afghanistan ki taraf se khel rha tha ya pakistan ki taraf se …..#PakvsAfg
— Deepak Vishwakarma (@deepak_7879) June 29, 2019
Remember the name – Gulbadin Naib 😂🙏#PAKvsAFG
— Jugnu (@Jugnu09) June 29, 2019
Gulbadin naib single handedly won the game for pakistan #PAKvAFG @bhogleharsha @cricketaakash
— Deepak Naik (@RedDevile) June 29, 2019
