- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 22,366
Mohammad Nawaz produced a match-winning performance with the ball, claiming a majestic five-wicket haul to help Pakistan crush Afghanistan by 75 runs in the seventh and final match of the tri-series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday night.
Defending a modest total of 141, Pakistan got off to the perfect start when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the opening over. Ibrahim Zadran (9) and Sediqullah Atal (13) steadied things briefly, adding 21 runs before Atal was caught by Faheem Ashraf off Abrar Ahmed.
Nawaz then took center stage, removing Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai on consecutive deliveries—both for ducks—leaving Afghanistan reeling at 29-4 by the end of the powerplay. He continued his dominance in the very next over, trapping Ibrahim Zadran LBW to complete his maiden T20I hat-trick—the third ever for Pakistan in the format, after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain. Two balls later, he dismissed Karim Janat for a three-ball duck, further denting Afghanistan’s hopes.
Abrar Ahmed struck again in the 11th over, sending Mohammad Nabi back as the scoreboard read a dismal 46-7. Nawaz capped off his brilliant spell with the wicket of Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, who top-scored with 17. The left-arm spinner finished with career-best T20I figures of 4-1-19-5, becoming the fifth Pakistani to take a five-wicket haul in the format. Abrar and Sufyan Muqeem supported well, picking up two wickets apiece, as Afghanistan were bundled out for just 66—their second-lowest total in T20Is.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings had a shaky start with opener Sahibzada Farhan dismissed for a duck by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the very first over. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub rebuilt, guiding Pakistan to 41-1 by the end of the powerplay. Their second-wicket stand yielded 49 runs before Saim departed for 17, caught by Rashid Khan off Noor Ahmad. Two balls later, Fakhar followed for 27 (26 balls, 2 fours, 1 six), leaving Pakistan suddenly vulnerable.
Hasan Nawaz injected some momentum with a quickfire 15 off eight balls, including a four and a six, but fell to Rashid Khan in the 11th over. Mohammad Haris was then dismissed by Noor Ahmad, reducing Pakistan to 72-5 in 11.3 overs.
Captain Salman Ali Agha (24) and Mohammad Nawaz stabilized the innings with a 40-run stand off 32 balls for the sixth wicket. Salman was eventually dismissed by Rashid in the 17th over, but Faheem Ashraf’s brisk cameo—15 off just 8 balls with two fours and a six—helped Pakistan post a competitive 141-8. Rashid Khan was the pick of Afghanistan’s bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 38 in his four overs.
Defending a modest total of 141, Pakistan got off to the perfect start when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the opening over. Ibrahim Zadran (9) and Sediqullah Atal (13) steadied things briefly, adding 21 runs before Atal was caught by Faheem Ashraf off Abrar Ahmed.
Nawaz then took center stage, removing Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai on consecutive deliveries—both for ducks—leaving Afghanistan reeling at 29-4 by the end of the powerplay. He continued his dominance in the very next over, trapping Ibrahim Zadran LBW to complete his maiden T20I hat-trick—the third ever for Pakistan in the format, after Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain. Two balls later, he dismissed Karim Janat for a three-ball duck, further denting Afghanistan’s hopes.
Abrar Ahmed struck again in the 11th over, sending Mohammad Nabi back as the scoreboard read a dismal 46-7. Nawaz capped off his brilliant spell with the wicket of Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, who top-scored with 17. The left-arm spinner finished with career-best T20I figures of 4-1-19-5, becoming the fifth Pakistani to take a five-wicket haul in the format. Abrar and Sufyan Muqeem supported well, picking up two wickets apiece, as Afghanistan were bundled out for just 66—their second-lowest total in T20Is.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings had a shaky start with opener Sahibzada Farhan dismissed for a duck by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the very first over. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub rebuilt, guiding Pakistan to 41-1 by the end of the powerplay. Their second-wicket stand yielded 49 runs before Saim departed for 17, caught by Rashid Khan off Noor Ahmad. Two balls later, Fakhar followed for 27 (26 balls, 2 fours, 1 six), leaving Pakistan suddenly vulnerable.
Hasan Nawaz injected some momentum with a quickfire 15 off eight balls, including a four and a six, but fell to Rashid Khan in the 11th over. Mohammad Haris was then dismissed by Noor Ahmad, reducing Pakistan to 72-5 in 11.3 overs.
Captain Salman Ali Agha (24) and Mohammad Nawaz stabilized the innings with a 40-run stand off 32 balls for the sixth wicket. Salman was eventually dismissed by Rashid in the 17th over, but Faheem Ashraf’s brisk cameo—15 off just 8 balls with two fours and a six—helped Pakistan post a competitive 141-8. Rashid Khan was the pick of Afghanistan’s bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 38 in his four overs.
