Afghanistan beats Pakistan for first time in a T20
Afghanistan defeated Pakistan in a Twenty20 for first time on Friday after latter was restricted to 92-9.
Pakistan, without five rested frontline players including captain Babar Azam, struggled on a slow and low pitch at Sharjah Cricket Stadium against the Afghans, whose six bowlers shared all nine wickets.
Afghanistan overcame falling to 45-4 in the 10th over to cruise home at 98-4 and win by six wickets with more than two overs to spare.
Mohammad Nabi raised Afghanistan’s first victory over Pakistan in five attempts over past decade with a straight six over long off.
“Pleasure to win, as we’ve always lost against them by small margins,” Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan said. “Wearing Afghanistan colors and leading team in a win is a proud achievement. We never know the wicket (but) mindset was to adjust accordingly.”
Afghanistan has a chance at a first series win in remaining two T20s on Sunday and Monday.
None of Pakistan batters could accelerate on a two-paced pitch and mostly fell to soft dismissals.
In absence of formidable openers Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, replacements Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris couldn’t gauge low bounce and fell within batting powerplay while attempting extravagant shots.