In a first, Afghanistan defeated Pakistan in a T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. After the T20 World Cup 2022 runners up were restricted to just 92/9 in their quota of 20 overs, Afghanistan took their time but chased down the target in 17.5 overs, winning the match by 6 wickets.
While it was a clinical bowling performance from the winning team with each of the six bowlers used returning with at least a wicket against their name, senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi's all-round brilliance was the highlight of the match. First he returned with figures of 2 for 12 from his 3 overs before remaining unbeaten on 38 off 38 in his run chase and ensuring an iconic win by Afghanistan.
The Afghans were reduced to 3 down within the powerplay with not too many runs on the board but Nabi used all his experience and ensured that they do not let the opportunity of a famous win slip away.
Ihsanullah Got A Wicket Off His Very First Ball In International Cricket
From Pakistan, four batters managed to register scores in double figures with Saim Ayub scoring 17, Tayyab Tahir making 16, Imad Wasim with 18 against his name and captain Shadab Khan with a contribution of 12. With the ball, Pakistan speedsters did put up a fighting show with young speedster Ihsanullah striking off his very first ball in international cricket and ending up with figures of 2 for 17 and Imad Wasim (1/11) and Naseem Shah (1/27) also taking wickets but the batters just didn't post enough runs on the board.
It was fitting that Nabi finished things off in style with a six to register the team's first win over Pakistan in four attempts spread across the last decade.