Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2022 Highlights: India out of contention for final; Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 1 wicket in a thriller

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Fakhar Zaman, Slider around off, on the shorter side, Fakhar stays back and defends it to the leg side.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Around off, on a length, angling in at 141 kph, Zaman gets behind the line and pushes it softly to mid on for a run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Pitches it up and around off, Fakhar drives but finds the fielder at mid off.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, EDGY FOUR! Fazalhaq Farooqi serves it on a length and outside off, shaping away, Zaman pokes inside the line and edges it down to third man for a boundary.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Serves it on a length and outside off, at 141 kph, Fakhar Zaman offers no shot.

Fakhar Zaman walks out to bat at number 3.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Azam, OUT! Given lbw! Babar Azam's lean patch continues as he goes for a golden duck. Weird evening for both the captains. This is a prized scalp for Fazalhaq Farooqi. He delivers it on a length around leg and gets it to skid on with the angle at 139 kph, Babar Azam is caught napping on the back foot as he attempts to work it away. He fails to do that and is pinged on the pads. The appeal is made and the umpire raises his finger. Plumb. Babar walks without even thinking about the referral. A perfect start for Afghanistan!  

We are back for the chase! We can see the Afghanistan players in a huddle and they are having a long discussion about how to defend this low total. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are the two openers for Pakistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi has been given the new ball and is raring to go. Here we go...

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan are away! Farooqi begins his spell with a full delivery around middle, Mohammad Rizwan leans across and bunts it towards mid on for a brisk single.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Afghanistan got off to a flier with their openers coming out with positive intent and putting on a 36-run partnership in quick time. They departed in quick succession in the Powerplay after which Ibrahim Zadran and Karim Janat began the rebuilding process. They were unable to score runs quickly but ensured that they were able to preserve their wickets. However, once the latter departed after a laboured inning, they lost quick wickets as they looked to accelerate. Ibrahim Zadran battled it out for his 35 but could not get his innings going. None of the big hitters for Afghanistan could get going but a useful cameo from Rashid Khan helped push the target close to the 130-run mark.  

Right then, Pakistan will be thrilled with the job done by their bowlers and will know that they have the batting strength to breeze towards the target. The form of Babar Azam is a concern and he may be looking to get going in this game. Mohammad Rizwan will be looking to accumulate more runs in this tournament and seal their place in the final. Afghanistan were unable to defend a much higher total the last time around but the spinners have already had their off-game. The Afghans still have the ability to defend this target and put up a decent fight. Will this be a one-sided affair or will Afghanistan pull off a miraculous recovery? Do join us for the run chase shortly.

Haris Rauf (4-0-26-2) comes up for a quick word. The pacer says that Afghanistan started well but by pickings wickets, they restricted the scoring rate. Adds that bowling in the line of the stumps is always helpful in Sharjah. Praises Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain for their bowling and says that the team is benefitting from their performance. Shares that his aim is to bowl the dot balls and create pressure. Hopes that they will chase down the target quickly.

Pakistan started off a bit lethargic and conceded a few loose deliveries to begin proceedings. They dropped a catch early on of Hazratullah Zazai but it did not prove to be too expensive. Pakistan got their act together soon enough and dismissed the two openers in consecutive overs. The spinners controlled the middle overs and did not allow the Afghani batters to break the shackles. Once they broke the partnership and picked up the wicket of Karim Janat, they began chipping away at the wickets regularly. The Men in Green continued bowling well till the end of the innings with all five bowlers contributing with at least a wicket. Haris Rauf picked up 2 wickets but Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers as he conceded just 19 runs in his full quota of four overs, taking a wicket also.

Pakistan have exhibited some outstanding death bowling and after the start Afghanistan had, they have done extremely well to restrict them to 129. This has been a complete bowling performance from a Pakistan side that is brimming with confidence. Afghanistan will be disappointed with the total they have on the board but will have to come out believing that they can win this game with the bowling options they have at their disposal.

Haris Rauf to Rashid Khan, Swishes and misses. Dot ball to end proceedings. A touch short and around off, at 141 kph, Khan goes back and tries to power it across the line but misses. Afghanistan finish on 129 for 6.

Haris Rauf to Rashid Khan, Short and following the batter, around leg, Rashid Khan tries to pull but gets a bottom edge and the ball travels behind to the keeper.

Haris Rauf to Rashid Khan, FOUR! BOOM! A length ball around middle, at 149 kph, Rashid Khan is fearless, he gives the charge and bludgeons it straight down the ground for a boundary. He executed the shot and knew that it was four.

Haris Rauf to Rashid Khan, SIX! This one has gone all the way! The moment there is pace on the ball, Rashid Khan capitalizes. Short and around off, at 141 kph, Rashid Khan steps back and hammers it over point for a biggie.

Haris Rauf to Rashid Khan, Another swing and a miss! This is smart bowling from Rauf. Not offering any pace. At 130 kph, he delivers it on a length and close to off, Rahid tries to slog but misses.