ODI Asia Cup: 5 Unforgettable Nail-Biting Matches

2.      Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 2018, Pakistan won by 3 wickets

The 2018 Asia Cup to date could be labeled the most competitive edition so far. There were some very good games and the teams participating were all very strong. The tournament had seen some brilliant nail-biters, and this contest between Afghanistan and Pakistan at Sharjah went down as a classic.

Afghanistan batted first and put up 257/6. Good scores from Hashmatullah Shahidi (97*) and power-hitting from captain Asghar Afghan (67) propelled Afghanistan to a score that could’ve been a lot better, but they felt they could defend this total with their spin trio. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the star bowler picking up 2-38. Pakistan’s chase started terribly with key batter Fakhar Zaman getting out in the first over.

Imam Ul-Haq (80) and Babar Azam (66) steadied the ship and put together a 154-run partnership. They countered the Afghan bowling well until a run-out and nifty work by the Afghan keeper ended both Imam and Babar’s stay. Afghanistan became motivated and the score eventually became 219/5 with the RRR being 9.75. Pakistan needed some big hits and waiting in the wings with the ball was the masterful Rashid Khan.

In the final four overs, Rashid had two overs left to bowl and though he went for 18 runs, he picked up a couple of vital wickets. It was 10 needed off the final over with the veteran Shoaib Malik on the crease. Aftab Alam bowled, and his first three deliveries were 0,6,4. Malik had won a famous game for Pakistan. A game which seesawed throughout prevailed in Pakistan holding their nerve and using their experience to overpower Afghanistan’s inexperience.