SHARJAH: Afghanistan bowlers wreaked havoc to restrict Pakistan to a meagre 92/9 before Mohammad Nabi’s sensible 38-run knock powered the hosts to their maiden victory over Pakistan in the first T20I here at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Set to chase a modest 93, Afghanistan comfortably sailed over in the 18th over with six wickets to spare, thanks to Nabi’s unbeaten 38.

Earlier, the openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started off well for Afghanistan in the run chase as the pair raised 23 runs in just four overs. Making his debut, Ihsanullah wasted no time in announcing himself on the international level as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) bowling sensation struck on the first delivery of his international career to remove Zadran on nine.

The young pacer then struck again on the third delivery of his career as Gulbadin Naib fell for a two-ball duck. Ihsanullah’s twin strikes ignited the young Pakistan side with momentum as Naseem Shah struck in the next over to draw third success for the green shirts as he outdid Gurbaz with a short-pitch delivery, who could score 17 off 16. With Afghanistan reeling at 27/3, Karim Jannat joined experienced Nabi in the middle and looked to anchor the run chase with a brief partnership before Imad Wasim castled the former. He could score seven off 16 deliveries. Opting to bat first, the young Pakistan side could accumulate 92/9 in their allotted 20 overs as they seemed clueless against a disciplined bowling attack put on by spirited Afghanistan.

The green shirts were off to a dismal start to their innings as their young opening pair of Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub could only add 17 runs to the total before Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed the former on six. Abdullah then joined Saim with their side in heaps of trouble and he too, could not get going as the right-handed batter fell victim to Azmatullah Omarzai for a two-ball duck. Saim continued his brief resistance with a cautious 15-ball 17 before Naveen-ul-Haq castled him at the brink of the first powerplay. He smashed two boundaries and a six amid his fighting knock.

Pakistan then endured another setback on the first delivery of the seventh over as Tayyab Tahir, who looked to turn the tables with his aggressive knock, fell victim to Rashid Khan. Tayyab could score 16 off nine deliveries, hitting three boundaries. Making his return to the national side after a gap of almost two years, Azam Khan had a comeback to forget as the wicketkeeper batter bagged a two-ball duck, resulting in Pakistan slipping to 41/5 in the eighth over.

Following the slump, skipper Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim looked to anchor the innings with a gritty partnership. The pair looked determined to settle things down by bringing their experience into play but Mujeeb Ur Rahman trumped Shadab to break the budding partnership. Shadab could score 12 off 18. The green shirts then again began to lose wickets at regular intervals after Shadab’s dismissal and Imad, who was hanging in there for his side, also fell in the 18th over after a fighting 32-ball 18. Pakistan’s batting tail – Zaman Khan and Ihsanullah – added crucial runs in the death overs but that was not enough as the green shirts could finish at a paltry 92/9. Zaman and Ihsanullah remained unbeaten for eight runs each.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 25 2023

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