Afghanistan emerged victorious in the second T20 international against Pakistan, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series at Sharjah.
In the closing overs, Afghanistan faced some nerve-wracking moments as they needed 30 runs from the last three overs and 22 runs from the last two. However, Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi played a significant role in hitting a six each off pace bowler Naseem Shah in the penultimate over to reduce the target to five runs. Eventually, Zadran scored the winning boundary off Zaman Khan’s last over, with Afghanistan chasing down the 131-run target with one ball to spare.
Pakistan had set a target of 130-6 in 20 overs, built around a slow 57-ball 64 not out by all-rounder Imad Wasim – his maiden T20I half-century. Imad led Pakistan’s recovery and added 67 runs for the sixth wicket with skipper Shadab Khan, who scored 32 off 25 balls. However, Pakistan had a disastrous start with left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi claiming Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique, both for nought, in the first over of the innings. Farooqi finished with 2-19 in his four overs. Shafique, who made his debut in November 2020, has been dismissed for nought on four successive occasions in five T20Is.
Afghanistan’s victory was their first bilateral T20I series against any of the top six teams, which include India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Previously, they had won a T20I series against the West Indies, Bangladesh and five in five against Zimbabwe.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
What an epic victory 🇦🇫 Afghanistan makes history, winning the first-ever cricket series against the long-standing rival, Pakistan. #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/XHSqdUc7G8
— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) March 26, 2023
Wow…. This is called a thumping win — what a victory #Afganistan …. All dues settled –
Now a Three Nill clean sweep Next !!! #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/NMJpYLWBcY— Shoaib A. Rahim (@ShoaibbinRahim) March 26, 2023
Congratulations @ACBofficials well deserved historic victory over @TheRealPCB. @MohammadNabi007 played a big role with bat & bowl to get over the line. @rashidkhan_19
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) March 24, 2023
Afghanistan Won the T20 Series Against Pakistan !#AFGvPAK #PakvsAfghanistan #WPL2023 #WIvsRSA pic.twitter.com/XsANnNebBA
— Tanay (@tanay_chawda1) March 26, 2023
What a moment for Afghanistan cricket. 🇦🇫
Afghanistan win the series against Pakistan for the first time and this is also their first-ever series victory against a team who are ranked above 6th in ICC rankings. #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/Ikp4sWU991
— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75) March 26, 2023
4 losses in 5 T20I matches as Pakistan captain
Termed ‘clueless’ captain by former cricketers
Yet to qualify for PSL final after leading IU in four seasons
Rate his captaincy out of 10?🤔#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/uSw6ysZbIL
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) March 26, 2023
Congratulations 🎉 😊👏🏻🏏
What a great day for Afghanistan 🇦🇫
Afghan blue tigers won the second T20 match from Pakistan. #AfghanAtalan #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/aDDNVR4ExH— Visit Afghanistan 🇦🇫 (@VisitAFG) March 26, 2023
Well played @ACBofficials congrats on the win, and @rashidkhan_19 you were amazing as always. Good move my @TheRealPCB to believe in the upcoming talent but they should have been accompanied by senior players to transfer on field experience and not sit on the bench #PakvsAfg
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 26, 2023
Afghanistan seal the series. #AFGvPAK #cricket
Scorecard: https://t.co/G0AZpeHXDR #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/GSLD9LqC0U— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 27, 2023
Incredible – Absolutely Incredible 👏🙌#AfghanAtalan have successfully chased down @TheRealPCB‘s target of 131 runs by 7 wickets with to make history as they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. 🤩
Congratulations to the whole nation 🇦🇫#AFGvPAK | #LobaBaRangRawri pic.twitter.com/65HxFdZTkJ
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 26, 2023
Congratulations to the #Afghan cricket team for a convincing win over #Pakistan in the second T20 match. History created by the blue tigers today by winning the first ever T20 series. This is a confidence booster for @ACBofficials to take on mighty cricket teams. #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/g2Edg8RM34
— Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) March 26, 2023
Congratulations to Afghanistan who follow up their 1st ever T20 win against Pakistan with their 1st series win against Pakistan. They’ve been the better team in these 2 games. Pakistan need to reflect on some of the baffling tactical errors that ultimately cost them #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/NiBtFcESEt
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) March 26, 2023
Alhamdulillah!
Mubarak to all Afghans! 🇦🇫🧿❤️
Thank you #AfghanAtalan for making all Afghans and Afghanistan’s friends so proud and happy. #AFGvPAK #T20Cricket pic.twitter.com/O9NehrHxLg— Farzana Elham Kochai (@Farzanakochai) March 26, 2023
Nobody should call this ‘unbelievable’. I totally believed this day was coming. We have finally floored a cricketing giant. The floodgates have opened. Afghanistan are here and we are to be taken seriously from now on. Absolutely proud of my #AfghanAtalan #AFGvPAK #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/J3EblS0Koo
— Hameed Shuja (@hameedshuja) March 26, 2023