Asif Ali, the brand new finisher on the town

Once once more, Pakistan virtually stumbled on the finish. And as soon as once more, Asif Ali was there to take them dwelling.
With 24 wanted off 12 the final deliveries, Asif hit sixes for enjoyable, smashing 4 of them within the nineteenth over by Karim Janat to settle the problem. An overzealous fan ran onto the bottom and fell on the batsman’s ft earlier than being nabbed by the safety personnel. In the stands, Pakistani supporters sang Asif’s title. With three wins on the bounce, Babar Azam’s workforce is now all however by to the semifinal. In their ‘nayya daur’, they’ve a brand new finisher.

Asif did it in opposition to New Zealand as properly, taking Tim Southee to the cleaners. Here, he was underneath larger stress after a implausible 18th over from Naveen-ul-Haq that had simply two runs and Shoaib Malik’s wicket.
The first ball of the nineteenth over from Janat was full, within the slot. Asif bought underneath the ball and despatched it over long-off. Then a sequence ensued. A dot ball was adopted by one other size supply at a army medium tempo. Asif cleared the deep mid-wicket boundary. Another dot ball got here earlier than back-to-back sixes took Pakistan to their victory goal of 148 with an over to spare. Asif has at all times been a six-hitting hero in home cricket. The T20 World Cup has been witnessing his progress on the worldwide degree.

Pakistan’s sensational run continues 🔥#T20WorldCup | #PAKvAFG | https://t.co/1VM4iAyNq4 pic.twitter.com/oWSthyVsD7
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 29, 2021
For three matches on the spin, Pakistan chased and their method was fairly comparable. Pakistani statistician Mazher Arshad put out a stat on Twitter: Against India, they required 100 off the final 12 overs. Against New Zealand, the equation was 96 off the final 12. Today, it was 99 off the final 12.
There was a distinction although. Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi had held his trump card again for the back-end of the innings and Rashid Khan bowled 4 of these final 12 overs. Once the leg-spinner got here into the assault, the sport modified.
A flighted supply accounted for Mohammad Hafeez. Malik tried to take the assault to Afghanistan’s major bowler and hit him for a six. But Rashid responded with Babar’s wicket by a googly. After taking part in the position of an anchor and scoring 51 off 47 balls, the Pakistan captain fell prey to a poor shot. He really may have prevented that grasping heave, which all of the sudden put his workforce underneath the pump.
Little transgressions apart, Pakistan have been taking part in on this event as a well-drilled, skilled unit, transferring on from particular person effort and showmanship. Never earlier than did a Pakistan workforce look so collective. Hunger for changing the singles into twos has been a welcome addition to their cricket, as additionally top-class fielding. Their batsmen ran like hare between the wickets. Their quick bowlers but once more went flat out.

Babar Azam with one other elegant half-century 👏#T20WorldCup | #PAKvAFG | https://t.co/1VM4iAyNq4 pic.twitter.com/vmxaTQcOrx
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 29, 2021
Afghanistan quite the opposite dropped a few catches to launch the stress.
T20 cricket in its increase and bust selection may be very thrilling. Afghanistan, working excessive on ardour, batted that manner. Pakistan pacers went flat out. A Haris Rauf thunderbolt labored up the Speed Gun – 153kph. Afghanistan’s response to severe tempo was lusty hitting. They didn’t look bothered on the fall of wickets so long as their batsmen have been clearing the boundary.

Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Mohammad Shahzad. Rahmanullah Gurbaz walloped Imad Wasim over mid-wicket for a six. Asghar Afghan piled extra distress on the left-arm spinner with one other six and a 4. Haris got here and beat Afghan for tempo. Janat upper-cut the quick bowler over deep third man for a most.
It felt like cricket was Afghanistan’s escape path to freedom. They moved in fourth gear all alongside, clutches of wickets however.
The 71-run seventh-wicket partnership between Gulbadin Naib and Nabi was beautiful. Hasan Ali, who had earlier bowled a maiden, gave away 21 runs in his fourth over. Haris was accounted for 3 fours in his last over.

💯 wickets in T20Is for Rashid Khan 🙌
He will get the scalp of Hafeez, who’s gone for 10!#T20WorldCup | #PAKvAFG | https://t.co/1VM4iAyNq4 pic.twitter.com/VSOsYbDRz9
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 29, 2021
Towards the tip of the Afghanistan innings, Pakistan gave the impression to be surrendering the momentum. A Pakistan workforce of its earlier classic might need let the downturn have an effect on their batting efficiency. The new Pakistan have embraced a profitable mentality.
In his sensible seats, Shahid Afridi seemed comfortable.
Brief scores: Afghanistan: 147/6 in 20 overs (M Nabi 35, G Naib 35; Imad Wasim 2/25) misplaced to Pakistan 148/5 in 19 overs (Babar Azam 51; Rashid Khan 2/25) by 5 wickets.