Rahmanullah Gurbaz starts party as Afghanistan claim first T20I series win over Pakistan

26.03.2023 - 23:25 thenationalnews.com

A tour that began with an overriding concern about crowd unrest has quickly turned into a celebration after Afghanistan sealed a first series win over Pakistan in Sharjah.

These two sides have been involved in a number of fractious encounters in the recent past, with matches between them in England, Dubai and Sharjah all drawing clashes among fans.

The T20 international series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium has been overseen by a heavy security presence, but the atmosphere has been little more than joyful among the majority Afghan following.

Which is understandable, given the way their side have played. For the second time in three days, the Afghans dominated proceedings.

cricket win Party as Dubai Afghanistan Pakistan

Azam, who fell for just nine in his 100th T20I on Friday, compensated with a brisk 58-ball 101 not out to lift Pakistan to a solid 192-4 in their 20 overs.

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PAK vs NZ, 2nd T20I Live Score Updates: Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat. Fresh from an 88-run win in the series-opener, a clinical Pakistan will look to go 2-0 up in the five-match series against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub scored 47 runs each and put on a 79-run partnership for the third wicket to anchor Pakistan to 182 all out in 19.5 overs. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, one of five players who returned after being rested in Pakistan's last series against Afghanistan, took career best figures of 4-18 as New Zealand were 94 all out in 15.3 overs. New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to bounce back and level the series. (Live Scorecard)

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