Twitterati in awe of Shoaib Malik after his match-winning knock against Afghanistan
He came in when the Men in Green required 100 runs from 89 balls.
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The 2018 Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi turned out to be a humdinger. Eventually, it was the Men in Green who emerged victorious by three wickets to win their first match of the Super 4 and the triumph was mostly attributed to the calm and collected approach of Shoaib Malik in the dying stages of the encounter.
After Mujeeb Ur Rahman removed Fakhar Zaman for a six-ball duck, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam put on 154 for the second wicket. However, both the batsmen perished in quick succession to leave Pakistan in dire straits. The onus was thereafter on the experience of Shoaib Malik to shepherd the team home. He came in when Sarfraz Ahmed and Co required 100 runs from 89 balls.
Malik guides Pakistan to victory
He put his head down and didn’t play any stroke out of anger. Rather, he picked up the singles and put the loose deliveries away to the boundary. In the 42nd over, he lost Haris Sohail, who looked good before giving his wicket to Mujeeb, at the other end. Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed also couldn’t make much of a contribution with the willow.
Moreover, Asif Ali and Mohammad Nawaz also perished in quick time. With nine balls remaining, Pakistan required 16 runs with three wickets in the kitty. Hasan Ali deposited Rashid Khan into the stands to bring the target down to 10 off the last over. In the first ball over the 50th over by Aftab Alam, Malik hit the ball a fair distance but refused the single.
The bowler attempted a slower-bouncer and the ball sat up well for Malik, who used his wrists and flicked the ball over square leg for a massive six. Aftab bowled the third ball down the leg side and Malik had no difficulty in dispatching the ball to the boundary. Furthermore, he also accomplished his half-century in 43 balls. Quite expectantly, Twitter heaped accolades on him.
Here is how Twitter reacted
I never seen player like Shoaib malik
— Syed Aquib Maghrabi (@syedaquib21) September 22, 2018
Shoaib Malik, that was an epically intelligent innings. A MS Dhoni chasing blueprint. Taking it right till the end 👏 #PAKVAFG #AsiaCup
— Michael Rippon (@michaelrippon19) September 22, 2018
If they have MS Dhoni, then we have Shoaib Malik ❤️
Malik finish it off in style 🇵🇰— It's nabeel (@HandSomeMunda99) September 21, 2018
Shoaib Malik is real cool and MS Dhoni of Pakistan. Overall Pakistan performance is alarming and we are such an coward side that after one wicket we played like we are facing Brett and Starc. AFG good spinners but our batsman played to slow. They made this match difficult https://t.co/tGbGYpbRRp
— Ahmer Najeeb (@AhmerNajeeb) September 21, 2018
@realshoaibmalik is a bit like @msdhoni ..Takes it to the end & mostly finishes off in style..Seen Malik doing it n no. of times for His Franchise teams in t20 cricket.. #PAKvAFG #ShoaibMalik #AsiaCup
— Arif choudhary (@Imarifchoudhary) September 21, 2018
Two best finishers in the Cricket World.
1.Shoaib Malik
2. MS Dhoni#PAKvAFG #AsiaCup2018 #AsiaCup #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/yOS9IAojWv
— Fahad Abbasi (@imfahadabbasi17) September 21, 2018
Experience has no alternative, that's what everyone noticed during the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Shoaib Malik is a real gem of Pakistan. He never looked under pressure during the chase. @ICC #AsiaCup2018 #PakVsAfghan
— Jawaid Ahmed (@JawaidDilshan) September 22, 2018
Harsha Bhogle:
Pakistan's Best Player Under Pressure is still Shoaib Malik. . . .
Beauty Malik, a Legend !— #WeLovePakistan (@ICC_GeoTv) September 22, 2018
Proud to be your fan you just awesome the real hero of our country Shoaib Malik
— jalal yousafzai (@jalalyousafzai3) September 22, 2018
Shoaib Malik scores 10 runs in the final over & wins it for Pakistan. #AsiaCup2018 #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/WGlPwZNZeS
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 21, 2018
Shoaib Malik for Life#PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/NxMYnpSrxV
— Ahsan. 🇵🇰 (@imPakistaniLAD) September 21, 2018
Shoaib Malik right now 😎😁#PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/s7HPh49nEv
— Mamoon (@I_m_No_One_) September 21, 2018
Pakistani team to Shoaib Malik whenever they're chasing a target : pic.twitter.com/Nc0bea4Y3I
— ._. (@HighOnChaye) September 21, 2018
Shoaib Malik is hero of Pakistan Last night he saved Pakistan from defeat in last over and embraced Afghan players after his winning shot he behaved like an elder brother anyhow well played Afghanistan #PakVsAfghan #AsiaCup2018 #PAKvAFG #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/kEKBmlZQOY
— Hasnain Haider Abro (@HasnainHaiderA5) September 22, 2018
I think shoaib malik is the perfect choice for u now as a captain specially for worldcup2019 he is energetic active focused specially he is fighter he will not panic no matter what is the situation he is v strong in his command and have complete control on his nerves
— HĄiđārž (@iamzeeshanhyDar) September 22, 2018
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