Fazalhaq Farooqi's last-over run out of Shadab Khan at non-striker's end sparks controversy

The first ODI between Afghanistan and Pakistan was a one-sided affair but the second game made up for it with an intense finish. Powered by a sensational 227-run opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan posted 300/5 in their fifty overs after opting to bat first. Wicketkeeper-batter Gurbaz notched up his fifth ODI hundred as his knock of 151 off as many balls lit up the Mahindra Rajapaksa International Stadium, in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

Babar Azam's bowlers pulled things back in the last 10 overs as they conceded just 73 runs. Chasing a challenging total, Pakistan got a decent 52-run start from their openers. After Fakhar Zaman's dismissal, the Pakistan captain joined forces with Imam-ul-Haq and put on a 118-run partnership to give their team a solid base. However, talented batters like Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Usama Mir, and Iftikhar Ahmed failed to get going. Vice-captain Shadab Khan played a vital knock of 48 in 35 balls to take Pakistan to the brink.

With 11 runs required off the last over, Hashmatullah Shahidi handed the ball to his best pacer, Fazalhaq Farooqi. The No. 10 batter, Naseem Shah, was on strike while Shadab was waiting at the non-striker's end. As Farooqi was running in to bowl the first ball of the over, he saw Shadab backing up and he didn't hesitate in whipping off the bails to catch him short of his crease. The Pakistan all-rounder wasn't happy at being dismissed in that manner. However, Farooqi had claimed a crucial wicket well within the laws of the game.

Naseem Shah denies Afghanistan yet again

The 20-year-old Naseem had helped Pakistan win an Asia Cup encounter last year against Afghanistan by hitting a couple of sixes off Farooqi in the final over. The ghosts of the 2022 Asia Cup returned for the left-arm pacer as he was once again on the receiving end of a blitzkrieg from Naseem.

After Shadab's run out, Pakistan had only one wicket in hand as Haris Rauf joined Naseem in the middle. The young seamer hit two boundaries in the over to finish the game with a ball to spare. Consequently, with this narrow win, Pakistan gained an unassailable lead in the three-match series (2-0) with a game left to play.