HANGZHOU
Afghanistan handed a shocking four wickets defeat to favorite team Pakistan Shaheens in the second semi-final and entered into the grand final of the 19th Asian Games Men’s Cricket event being played at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field in Hangzhou, China on Friday.
After being put into bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 115 in 18 overs. The target was achieved in 17.5 overs by Afghanistan and secured a key victory by reaching the grand final of the Men Cricket event of the ongoing Asian Games.
Omair Yousuf made 24 runs off 19 balls with two boundaries and a six was the highest scorer for Pakistan, followed by Aamir Jamal who made just 14 runs off 11 balls with one boundary and a six on the long on boundary while, Arafat Minhas scored 13 runs off 14 balls with one boundary and Rohail Nazir made 10 runs off 15 balls with one towering six.
Pacer Fareed Ahmed returned with three wickets while giving 15 runs in the three overs he bowled. Spinners Qais Ahmed and Zahir Khan grabbed two wickets each.
In return, on the backs of Noor Ali Zadran made a cracking 39 runs off 33 balls with four boundaries and smashes two sixes, and Gulbadin Naib made another vital 26 runs not out with one boundary and three towering sixes, thus guiding their team Afghanistan to take the final berth at the 19th Asian Games. Pakistan spin attack gained much success during the innings; Qasim Akram and Sufiyan Muqeem got a wicket each, while Usman Qadir and Arafat Minhas returned with two wickets each.
Pakistan will now play against Bangladesh in the bronze medal run match at the same venue on Saturday. The match will begin at 0600 local time.
Scores in brief:
Afghanistan beat Pakistan by four wickets (13 balls remaining)
Pakistan 115 all out in 18 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 24, Aamir Jamal 14, Arafat Minhas 13; Fareed Ahmed 3-15, Qais Ahmed 2-11, Zahir Khan 2-20, Karim Janat 1-12, Gulbadin Naib 1-29)
Afghanistan 116-6 in 17.5 overs (Noor Ali Zadran 39, Gulbadin Naib 26 not out, Afsar Zazai 13; Arafat Minhas 2-11, Usman Qadir 2-20, Qasim Akram 1-18, Sufiyan Muqeem 1-18)
