Afghanistan's Spin Prowess Stifles Pakistan, Secures T20 Tri-Series Victory by 18 Runs

Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal continued their rich form with successive half-centuries to lead Afghanistan to an 18-run victory over Pakistan in the T20 tri-series on Tuesday. The spin trio of captain Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, playing his first game of the tournament, took six wickets between them to restrict Pakistan to 151 for 9. Zadran (65) and Atal (64) followed up their half-centuries against the United Arab Emirates a day earlier with an impressive 113-run partnership as Afghanistan posted 169 for 5 after Khan won the toss and elected to field. This was the fourth consecutive match in the tri-series where a team successfully defended a total, with UAE having lost both of its games while chasing. Pakistan struggled despite a late flourish from their lower order. No. 10 batter Mohammad Haris top-scored with 34 not out from 16 balls, but it came too late as Afghanistan spinners had already squeezed the opposition to 111 for 9 in 17 overs. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi set the tone early with two wickets in the powerplay. He struck with his first ball when Saim Ayub edged a pull shot to the wicketkeeper for a duck. Sahibzada Farhan managed two sixes but was bowled by Farooqi as the ball nipped back into the stumps.Fakhar Zaman could not build on a start of 25 off 18 balls, slicing an easy catch to short third off Nabi. Captain Salman Ali Agha was brilliantly run out by Rashid Khan at the non-striker’s end. Hasan Nawaz was caught at short fine leg off Noor Ahmad’s first delivery. Mohammad Haris then holed out to deep square leg, leaving Pakistan at 82 for 6 in the 12th over. Khan picked up two more wickets and Noor capped the day by clean bowling Ashraf with his final delivery. Earlier, Zadran and Atal had paced their partnership well. Ayub had bowled three economical overs in the powerplay and removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for eight runs. The pair added 95 runs off eight overs, with Rauf and spinners Nawaz and Sufiyan Muqeem unable to break the stand. In the death overs, Ashraf picked up four wickets for 27 runs, catching Zadran and Atal in the outfield while deceiving the batters with slower deliveries. Afghanistan could not accelerate in the final five overs, finishing at 169 for 5. After three games each, both Pakistan and Afghanistan have four points, while UAE, which faces Pakistan on Thursday, has yet to open its account.