After losing to India in their Asia Cup 2022 opener, Pakistan have won three consecutive games against Hong Kong in the group stage followed by victories against India and Afghanistan in the Super Fours. Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket on Wednesday and qualified for the Asia Cup 2022 finals.
Batting first, Afghanistan placed 129 runs on the board as Ibrahim Zadran scored 35 runs while Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf picked two wickets in his four-over spell.
While chasing the target, Pakistan lost their three opening batsmen including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan in starting nine overs. However, Pakistan pulled off a comeback as Shadab Khan (36) and Iftikhar Ahmed (30) combined for 42 runs for the fourth wicket.
Afghanistan bowlers picked six wickets in the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th over before losing the match in the first two balls of the final overs as Naseem Shah scored two consecutive sixes.
Check Twitter's reaction on Pakistan's victory:
Pakistan won the match, Afghanistan won a billion hearts ❤️ Congratulations to Pakistan and Sri-Lanka for entering the finals 🎉#PAKvAFG #PakvsAfg #AsiaCup #Pakistan #Afghanistan #CricketTwitter #Cricket #PAKvsSL #SriLankan #cricketmemes
— budhiraja.eth (@gaganbudhiraja) September 7, 2022
What a win Pakistan!!
— Abdul Hannan (@AbdulHa01054790) September 7, 2022
We WIN where there is no HOPE!!
Coming for the Asia CUP INSHAHALLAH#PakvsAfg #Pakistan
Not Naseem Shah batting like he's an opener in the powerplay #PAKvAFG #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/qvGetz5zvR
— Pooja Bhansali (@pooja_deven) September 7, 2022
Had about 10 mini heart attacks during this game, but Pakistan's tailenders manage to get us over the line! What an Asia cup this has been! #AsiaCup #PAKvAFG
— Khizar Hussain (@khiz789) September 7, 2022
Feel For Afganistan deserves to win but.... 💔😢#AsiaCup #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/ur3UzK9pH8
— Shamsi (MSH) (@Shamsihaidri1) September 7, 2022
Pakistan won the game against Afghanistan and fixed their Asia Cup 2022 finals spot alongside Sri Lanka and both the teams will play for the continental title on September 11 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.