Naseem Shah sends Pakistan to Asia Cup final as Afghanistan and India crash out
Naseem Shah peeled off two successive sixes off the first two balls of the final over as Pakistan broke Afghanistan’s hearts in Sharjah.
Sri Lanka Sport News
Naseem's last-over sixes power Pakistan into Asia Cup final, India out
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Sept 7, 2022 (AFP) -Tailender Naseem Shah hit two last-over sixes as Pakistan pulled off a thrilling one-wicket win over Afghanistan on Wednesday to set up an Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, knocking out rivals India in the process.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan Highlights: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket to qualify for Asia Cup final, India out of contention
Pakistan’s ego on a Wednesday night that broke millions of Afghan hearts and knocked India out of the Asia Cup. Naseem's hefty blows may not match the Javed Miandad's last-ball six off Chetan Sharma from 1986, it would hurt Indian fans as much. India's fate in the tournament was hanging on an Afghanistan win and the Afghan bowlers, breathing fire in the cauldron of Sharjah cricket stadium, nearly ran through the Pakistan batting lineup while defending 129/7 before Naseem sealed the deal in the first two balls of the final over bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Naseem's hits clinched a thriller for Pakistan with just a solitary wicket. This win has booked a place in the final for Pakistan alongside Sri Lanka, rendering the next two Super 4 matches inconsequential. As it happened: Pakistan vs AfghanistanWhen the Pakistan team walked back into the dressing room after having restricted Afghanistan to a modest 129/7, they would have fancied knocking off the runs with consummate ease. By the last six overs of the match started, the tempers started to fly on the field and the stadium turned into a deafening event arena. Asif Ali charging Fareed Ahmad with his bat after being dismissed at short fine-leg in the 19th over was just an example of the tension on the night.
Pakistan restrict Afghanistan to 129-6 in Asia Cup clash
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates: Fast bowler Haris Rauf led an inspired Pakistan bowling attack that limited Afghanistan to 129-6 on Wednesday as they look to seal a spot in the Asia Cup final. Rauf took 2-26 after Pakistan elected to field first knowing victory would secure a place in Sunday’s final against Sri Lanka and knock India out of the T20 tournament. Afghanistan struggled to put together any significant partnerships, with Ibrahim Zadran (35) the lone batsman to put up some genuine fight.
Babar Azam No Longer World's No. 1 T20I Batter. This Star Replaces Him In ICC Rankings
India captain Rohit Sharma gained three slots to be at 14th while Suryakumar Yadav dropped a place to fourth among batters in the ICC T20I rankings issued on Wednesday. Rohit (612 rating points) climbed three spots after scoring a 41-ball 72 against Sri Lanka in an Asia Cup Super 4 match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Topping the batting chart is Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan (815 rating points), who has displaced his teammate and captain Babar Azam (794 rating points).
ICC T20I Rankings: Rohit Sharma climbs three places to 14th; Suryakumar Yadav drops to fourth spot
Rohit Sharma gained three slots to be at 14th while Suryakumar Yadav dropped a place to fourth among batters in the ICC T20I rankings issued on Wednesday. Rohit (612 rating points) climbed three spots after scoring a 41-ball 72 against Sri Lanka in an Asia Cup Super 4 match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. However, Suryakumar (775 rating points), apart from his sensational 68 off just 29 balls against Hong Kong, failed to replicate his performances against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the big games.
Watch: "Maro Mujhe Maro" Guy's Reaction As India Falter Against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup
After a great run in the group stage, expectation were high from Team India at the Asia Cup 2022. However, after two straight defeats in the Super 4 stage to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, India are on brink of exit. India now have to rely on other teams' results, in order to qualify for the final. On Tuesday, India skipper Rohit Sharma's scintillating 41-ball 72 went in vain, as the Sri Lanka completed a chase of 174 with a ball to spare Needing 21 in 12 balls, Sri Lanka scored 14 runs off the penultimate over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, almost sealing it in their favour. India will be out of the tournament if Pakistan beat Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2022, Live Updates: Pakistan Face Afghanistan, Eye A Spot In The Final
PAK vs AFG, Asia Cup 2022, Score Updates: Pakistan face Afghanistan in a crucial Asia Cup Super-4 clash at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. Pakistan eye a win which will take them to the final. A defeat for Afghanistan, on the other hand, will end their journey at the Asia Cup, having already lost their opening Super-4 fixture to Sri Lanka. A Pakistan win will also end India's hopes of reaching the final. Sri Lanka and Pakistan could meet twice in the space of three days, including the final on Sunday, if Afghanistan fail to win today. (LIVE SCORECARD)