Twitter Reactions: Shahidi and Afghan-blitz propel Afghanistan to 257
At 94/3 in 25.3 overs, Afghanistan found themselves in a bit of trouble.
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Afghanistan had a resounding outing in the group stages of the Asia Cup having won against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In the first match of the Super 4, they are currently up against Pakistan, who after their win against Hong Kong, slumped against India. Meanwhile, the Afghan batsmen have put up an impressive show and scored 257/6 runs in 50 overs courtesy of their middle order.
Nawaz jolts Afghanistan
Asghar Afghan won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first. Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat commenced proceedings and made a steady start. Mohammad Nawaz, who replaced Shadab Khan, drew first blood by dismissing Ihsanullah. In his very next over, the left-arm off-break bowler nipped out Shahzad for 20 runs. The onus was then on Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Both put their heads down and cobbled together a stand of 63 runs from 92 balls and restored sanity back into the Afghan innings. Nawaz came into Pakistan’s rescue as he got rid of the right-handed Rahmat, who seemed to have got the measure of the conditions and the bowling. Skipper Afghan, who couldn’t score in the first two matches, joined Shahidi in the middle.
Shahidi and Afghan blaze away
At 94/3 in 25.3 overs, Afghanistan found themselves in a bit of trouble, however, Afghan and Shahidi bailed them out. Both blended caution with aggression and steadfastly scored the runs. Eventually, both scored half-centuries and built a stand of 94 runs from 99 deliveries. The partnership was broken by Shaheen Afridi, who cleaned up Afghan when the batter went for a cross-batted hoick.
Mohammad Nabi tried to accelerate but became Afridi’s second victim. Najibullah Zadran, who didn’t play the last match, fell prey to Hasan Ali. Shahidi tried to step on the gas in the death overs but strained to make a proper connection. However, he somehow notched a gear up and scored 97 runs from 118 balls. Pakistan aren’t expected to have a cakewalk of a run-chase by any stretch of the imagination.
Here is how Twitter reacted
Afghanistan,what a spirited performance,especially Shahidi batted sensibly and took his team till the end! #AFGvPAK
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) September 21, 2018
Chasing 258 on this wicket won’t be easy sail for Pakistan
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) September 21, 2018
Afghanistan have scored 87 in last 10 overs. Finish on 257/6.
Best bowling attack? pic.twitter.com/0ds6ZX74n8
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) September 21, 2018
Some runs squandered in the last couple of deliveries to let Shahidi get a century, which is unacceptable at this level. Shahidi otherwise was superb and Afghanistan have 257 on the board which would make lunch quite distasteful for Pakistan
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 21, 2018
Naaah. Sorry. You don't play for your 100. Sad.#AFGvBAN #AsiaCup2018
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) September 21, 2018
Lagta hai Pakistan aaram se chase kar lega.#PAKvAFG
— PhD in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) September 21, 2018
Afghan dont have the batting to get 300, but they do have the bowling to defend 250 and have cut their cloth accordingly…. #asiacup
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) September 21, 2018
Afghanistan are favourites at halfway stage. Against this spin attack which acc to me is the best in the world Pakistan will find it hugely difficult to get this target.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 21, 2018
– Another spirited performance by Afghanistan. They are moving up & up. Their brand of cricket is fascinating.
The classical way of accelerating in the end ..— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) September 21, 2018
A fine ODI debut bowling performance by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Bowled with pace, aggression and accuracy. Had catches dropped also but persisted bravely #AFGvPAK
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 21, 2018
Hashmatullah Shahidi took his team to a brilliant total of 257 runs in 50 overs. #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/8lU9zcdqDJ
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 21, 2018
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