PAK VS AFG T20I

That's a wrap to this entertaining game. Every cricket fan will remember this day! It's been a day of thrillers, two nail-biting games. We saw Bangladesh lose 3 in 3 and here we witnessed Pakistan win 3 in 3, and have probably secured a semi-final spot. You got to feel sorry for Afghanistan, they fought and fought hard till the very end, but failed to cross the line. It's not the end of the road for them though. Super Saturday is next and it's going to be full of excitement. Two games coming your way - South Africa vs Sri Lanka at 2 pm local (10 am GMT) followed by the clash between arch-rivals England and Australia at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT). We look forward to your company for all the action. Cheers!

Babar Azam, the victorious skipper of Pakistan, says that the way they started with the ball was great and as planned, the bowlers got wickets. Feels that they gave away 10-15 runs extra in the end. Adds that they did not have an ideal Powerplay with the bat but once again, the way Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali batted was commendable. About Asif Ali, Azam replies that he always has confidence in him and knows that Ali will get the team over the line in such situations. Shares that they strategized their bowling innings by keeping the dimensions of the ground in mind and praises the bowlers for sticking to the plans. Mentions that Afghanistan have some quality spinners on their side and the pitch was assisting them so he planned to take the chase deep. Babar is disappointed that he could not finish the chase and once again credits Asif Ali for fulfilling his finishing role.

Mohammad Nabi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that they didn't start well but still had a decent total on the board. Adds that his stand with Gulbadin Naib was a good one and they had decided that 150 would be a good score. Opines that three spinners are enough and Rashid Khan bowled at the right time but Asif Ali took the game away from them in the end. Mentions that there are a lot of positives as they fought till the very end.

ASIF ALI IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH! The man of the moment starts by congratulating the team and the fans for this win. He shares that the boundary was small from one end so he planned with Shoaib Malik to target the bowler from that end. Tells that he assesses the situation first and thinks about whose overs are left and targets them accordingly. Also states that he had a word with Shoaib Malik and was confident of scoring even 25 runs in one over.

Presentation time...

We were heading for a tense finish. 24 runs were needed off 12 balls and Afghanistan looked to have the upper hand. However, Asif Ali once again showed his six-hitting skills and also reminded everyone that his knock against New Zealand was not a fluke. He declined a single on the last ball of the 18th over and it was quite a mature decision from him. Four sixes followed in the next over bowled by Karim Janat and the chase was extraordinarily put to bed. Make that 3 in 3 for Pakistan and they have almost booked their place in the semi-final from this group.

Afghanistan fought this match with a lot of intensity. With the bat, they were ready to take their chances and always tried to attack the bowlers. That approach put them in a precarious situation at the halfway mark of their batting innings. But, towards the end, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib combined for a stupendous stand and took Afghanistan to a fighting total. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the trump card for them upfront with the ball and he bowled 4 economical overs to build the pressure. Rashid Khan was brought on after the 10th over and many thought that Mohammad Nabi had missed the trick but the Afghan maestro picked the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and then Babar Azam with his last ball of the spell to hand the advantage to Afghanistan. It was all about how Pakistan will deal with the class of Mujeeb and Rashid Khan in the chase and eventually, they did just enough against them to cross the line.

The chase was planned to near perfection from Pakistan but losing wickets at the wrong time threw this match wide open towards the end. Despite losing one half of their power couple, Mohammad Rizwan cheaply, Pakistan never lost the plot. Babar Azam joined forces with Fakhar Zaman to raise a handy partnership of 63 runs. The Pakistan skipper built a couple of more crucial stands with Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and his presence didn't allow Afghanistan to build enough pressure. However, his departure followed by the wicket of Shoaib Malik gave a little opening to the Afghans, Asif Ali's whirlwind knock sealed the deal for Pakistan.

What an electrifying game! Asif Ali, the six-hitting machine of Pakistan, has once again provided a blockbuster finish. A 7-ball 25 from Asif and he ended the chase with 6 balls to spare. Take a bow, Ali! A new 'finisher' is born!

SIX! THERE IT IS! Scintillating hitting from Asif Ali and this is why he did not take the single in the previous over! On a length again, outside off. He sends the ball sailing over the cover fence. Pakistan win by 5 wickets!

SIX! So, the over so far as been - six, dot, six, dot, six! On a length, on off. Asif Ali hits it straight down the ground for another maximum. This should seal the deal for Pakistan.

Another beautiful yorker, wide outside off. Asif Ali gets no bat on it whatsoever.

SIX! Karim Janat misses the mark and gets pumped again! Slower and shorter, outside off. Asif Ali heaves it over the mid-wicket fence. This is quality hitting by Asif Ali. He did it against the Kiwis. Can he do it here too?

Well bowled. A yorker, wide outside off. Asif Ali goes to drive but misses. Very well bowled under pressure.

SIX! BOOM! In the slot and Asif Ali punishes it! On a length, outside off. Asif Ali sits back in his crease and frees his arms to send the ball sailing over the long off fence. Great start to the 19th over for Pakistan.

Karim Janat (3-0-24-0) to bowl the all-important 19th over.

NOT OUT! Slower ball, on a length, on off. Shadab taps it to short mid-wicket and looks for a run. But Asif is not interested. Shabad runs back as the throw comes in and Mohammad Shahzad takes the bails off. The TV umpire is called in but Shadab is well inside. What an over by Naveen-ul-Haq though. Just 2 runs and a wicket from it. 24 needed in the last 2 overs.