Afghanistan stunned Pakistan in a thrilling encounter in the semi-final of the Asian Games 2023 Men’s Cricket tournament to set up a final date with India. The Afghans chased down Pakistan’s target of 115 runs with 13 balls to spare, thanks to a brilliant knock by captain Gulbadin Naib (26 off 19 balls).
Afghanistan Stuns Pakistan in Asian Games Men’s Cricket Semi-Final, Set Up Final Date With India
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, but they were bowled out for just 114 in 19.5 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the Afghan bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 21 runs.
Afghanistan got off to a shaky start in their chase, losing two early wickets. However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (31 off 24 balls) and Noor Ali Zadran (29 off 39 balls) steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership for the third wicket.
After Gurbaz was dismissed, Naib came to the crease and played a match-winning knock. He hit two fours and three sixes in his quickfire innings to take Afghanistan to the brink of victory.
Naib was dismissed with Afghanistan still needing 14 runs to win, but Sharafuddin Ashraf (7 not out) and Karim Janat (5 not out) finished the job off with ease.
This is a historic win for Afghanistan, as it is the first time that they have reached the final of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket tournament. They will now face India in the final on October 7, 2023.
Pakistan’s Innings
Pakistan got off to a bad start in their batting innings, losing the wickets of openers Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman cheaply. Mohammad Rizwan (28 off 47 balls) tried to hold the innings together, but he was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the 13th over.
After Rizwan’s dismissal, Pakistan collapsed, losing their remaining wickets for just 31 runs. Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq (3 wickets for 19 runs) were the main destroyers for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Innings
Afghanistan got off to a shaky start in their chase, losing the wickets of openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz early on. However, Noor Ali Zadran and Gulbadin Naib steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership for the third wicket.
After Zadran was dismissed, Naib took charge of the innings and played a match-winning knock. He hit two fours and three sixes in his quickfire innings of 26 runs off 19 balls to take Afghanistan to the brink of victory.
Naib was dismissed with Afghanistan still needing 14 runs to win, but Sharafuddin Ashraf and Karim Janat finished the job off with ease.
Conclusion
This is a historic win for Afghanistan, as it is the first time that they have reached the final of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket tournament. They will now face India in the final on October 7, 2023.
