Afghanistan Stuns Pakistan with 18-Run Victory in Tri-Nation Series
Afghanistan’s national cricket team secured a remarkable 18-run victory over Pakistan in a thrilling encounter of the ongoing tri-nation T20I series, marking their second consecutive win after losing the first match of the series. Afghan skipper Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early in the second over, Afghanistan’s batting was anchored by a solid partnership between Ebrahim Zadran and Sediq Atal. The pair put on a commanding 113-run stand, both registering half-centuries. Ibrahim scored a composed 65 off 45 balls, decorated with eight boundaries and one six, while Atal contributed a fluent 64. Their efforts powered Afghanistan to a competitive total of 170 runs. In response, Pakistan struggled to build momentum against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack. The Afghan bowlers, led by veterans and young talents alike, delivered under pressure. Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, and Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled with precision and consistency, collectively restricting Pakistan and ultimately sealing the victory by 18 runs. However, the match was particularly memorable for Mohammad Nabi, who achieved a historic milestone by becoming only the second Afghan cricketer to claim 100 wickets after Rashid Khan in international T20s. He reached the landmark in his 135th match, underscoring his enduring impact on Afghanistan’s cricket journey. For his stellar batting performance, Ibrahim Zadran was named the Player of the Match, after guiding Afghanistan’s innings with maturity and flair. Additionally, this victory not only boosted Afghanistan’s confidence in the tri-nation series but also reinforced their growing reputation as a formidable side in international cricket. Afghanistan will next face hosts United Arab Emirates on Friday, where they aim to extend their winning streak and further solidify their place in the tournament.
