Naseem Shah does it again as Pakistan win last-over thriller against Afghanistan

Naseem Shah does it again as Pakistan win last-over thriller against Afghanistan in second ODI

COLOMBO (Dunya News) – The second game of the ongoing three-match ODI series turned out to be a thriller as Pakistan edged past Afghanistan by one wicket in the final over.

Naseem Shah held his nerves despite pressure after Shadab Khan was removed by the Afghan bowler at a critical moment. He smashed two fours in the last over to help Pakistan take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the nail-biting match.

Chasing a target of 301 runs, Pakistani opening pair Imamul Haq (91) and Fakhar Zaman (30) built a strong opening stand. After Zaman was bowled out, skipper Babar Azam gave another boost by smashing 27th fifty of his ODI career before being dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi.

As Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Usama Mir and Iftikhar could not perform well with the bat, Shadab took the charge and smashed 48 runs to put the game in favour of Pakistan. It was the Naseem Shah after Shadab who smashed much needed 11 off 6 balls to win the match.

Earlier, Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a stunning inning of 151 runs, helping his team to set 301 runs target against Pakistan.

This was the highest ever total posted by Afghanistan against Pakistan in an ODI match. Gurbaz was supported by his opener pair Ibrahim Zardan, who smashed 80 runs as Pakistani bowling line scrambled to get the wickets.

Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets while Naseem Shah and Usama Mir took one wicket each.

Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bat. Pakistan kept the same eleven that won the first match in Hambantota in Sri Lanka on Tuesday by a 142-run margin, while Afghanistan brought in Shahidullah Kamal and Riaz Hassan in a double change.

Fast bowler Azmatullah Omarzai and allrounder Rahmat Shah were left out.

The last match will also be played in Colombo on Saturday.