Ashish Ranjan
In the second ODI international between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Naseem Shah rekindled memories of last year’s Asia Cup with a sensational finale to lead his team to a one-wicket victory in Hambantota. Pakistan won the series after Naseem hit a four on the penultimate delivery of the match, with the team needing three more runs to win.
Naseem then erupted in hysterical celebrations as the team secured victory. Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan was run out at the non-striker’s end, a dismissal regarded taboo despite having been legalised by the Marylebone Cricket Club the previous year.
Watch: Naseem Shah run-out at the non-striker’s end by Fazalhaq Farooqi
Watch: Naseem Shah hits the winning runs off the last ball vs Afghanistan
The decisive dismissal occurred in the final over of the contest, as Naseem Shah prepared to face Fazalhaq Farooqi. Shadab Khan appeared anxious to rotate the strike and began moving forward even before the ball was bowled.
The Afghan pacer displayed remarkable vigilance, promptly dislodging the bails, and erupting in jubilant celebrations upon recognising the opportunity. The umpires swiftly ruled Shadab out, aggravating the all-rounder and the Pakistani cricket team.
Nonetheless, Naseem remained unfazed, and with 11 required off six deliveries, the Pakistani batsman started with a four. On the third delivery, he passed the strike to no. 11 Haris Rauf, who promptly scored three runs and returned the favour. Then, on the fifth delivery of the final over, Naseem blasted a four to secure an outstanding victory for Pakistan.
Naseem got a thick outside edge on the penultimate delivery, sending the ball past wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaaz for four.Naseem Shah scores the winning runs with the last delivery against Afghanistan.
In the first ODI of the series, Afghanistan were bowled out for just 59 runs while chasing 202. The second ODI was a stark contrast to the first game, in which Afghanistan were dismissed for just 59.
Gurbaz was the standout batsman for Afghanistan in their second innings at Hambantota, scoring the highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter against Pakistan in an ODI (151). This was Gurbaz’s fifth century in only 23 ODI innings, surpassing Babar Azam to become the third-fastest batsman in cricket history (behind Imam-ul-Haq and Quinton de Kock, both 19 innings) to accomplish the accomplishment.
Friday marks the conclusion of the ODI series in Colombo, after which both teams will compete in the Asia Cup. In Group A, Pakistan commence their campaign against Nepal before facing archrivals India, whereas Afghanistan are grouped with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
