MOMENT OF THE DAY, NASEEM SHAH🔥💯. #NaseemShah #PAKvAFG #AFGvPAK #PakvsAfg pic.twitter.com/wDyLBLUw54
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) August 24, 2023
Pakistan secured a thrilling one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI match, clinching the three-match series 2-0 and showcasing an impressive performance.
Naseem Shah, the right-arm pacer who was instrumental in Pakistan’s previous victory over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, once again played a pivotal role in leading his team to a close win.
Despite the contributions of Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan, it was Naseem Shah’s nerve-wracking finish that stole the show.
In the final over, with Pakistan needing 11 runs, the game became even more intense when Fazalhaq Farooqi mankaded Shadab, disrupting his run-up to bowl the first delivery.
Afghanistan started the game steadily after winning the toss, with their openers handling Pakistan’s pace attack sensibly.
Shadab’s dismissal, after scoring a crucial 48, gave Afghanistan hope of securing their first-ever victory over Pakistan in ODIs. However, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf displayed nerves of steel to deny Afghanistan that victory on the penultimate delivery.
Naseem Shah scored an unbeaten 10 runs off five deliveries, including two crucial boundaries, while Haris Rauf contributed three important runs.
Chasing a target of 301 in the second ODI, Pakistan’s openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq provided a solid start with a 52-run partnership before Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Zaman in the ninth over.
Imam was then joined by Pakistan captain Babar Azam, and the duo formed an anchoring 118-run stand for the second wicket.
Just after reaching his half-century, Babar got out to Farooqi in the 31st over, which triggered a collapse as Pakistan lost four quick wickets and were reduced to 211/6 in the 39th over.
Imam remained the highest scorer for Pakistan with a calculated 91 off 105 balls, including four boundaries.
Following the slump, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan built a cautious 47-run partnership to stabilize the run chase until Ahmed’s dismissal, scoring 17 off 24 balls.
In the second ODI, Afghanistan chose to bat first and put up a commendable total of 300/5, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s outstanding 151-run knock.
Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran formed a brilliant 227-run opening stand, which is the second-highest opening partnership against Pakistan in ODI history. Gurbaz scored his fifth ODI hundred during the partnership before being dismissed by Usama Mir.
Zadran contributed 80 runs off 101 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes.
Gurbaz continued his dominance and reached a remarkable 150 runs before being caught behind off Shaheen Afridi. His brilliant innings included 14 boundaries and three sixes.
Pakistan’s bowlers did an excellent job in the death overs, restricting Afghanistan to 300 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Shaheen Afridi took two wickets, while Usama Mir and Naseem Shah contributed with one wicket each.