SHARJAH: Afghanistan thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international on Sunday to grab a 2-0 series lead.
Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi blasted sixes off fast bowler Naseem Shah in the penultimate over to lower the target to five runs.
Zadran hit the winning boundary off Zaman Khan’s final over to reach the 131-run goal with one ball to spare.
“It’s an honor and pleasure to lead this wonderful team,” said Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan.
Imad Wasim’s 57-ball 64 not out powered Pakistan’s 130-6 in 20 overs.
Moreovber, Afghanistan played its first bilateral T20I series against any of the top six teams—India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.
Afterward, They won a T20I series against Bangladesh and West Indies and five against Zimbabwe.
Moreover, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s 56-run second wicket stand laid the foundation.
Afghanistan needed 46 off 30 balls because of their lethargic batting. Najibullah (23) and Nabi (14) won without losing.
After winning the toss and batting, Imad smashed two sixes and three boundaries to rescue Pakistan from 63-5.
Imad and Shadab (32) added 67.
Pakistan started poorly with left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissing Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique for nought in the first over.
Farooqi scored 2-19 in four overs.
Since debuting in November 2020, Shafique has been dismissed for nought four times in five T20Is.
While, Tayyab Tahir’s 23-ball 13 and Mohammad Haris’ nine-ball 15 included a six and two boundaries.
The stocky Azam Khan, who earned to popularity with his power hitting in the previous Pakistan Super League, fell to spinner Rashid Khan, scoring just one following his nought in the first game.
Shadab, who replaced rested skipper Babar Azam, struck three boundaries in 25 balls.
Imad’s previous best was 47 against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2019.
