Staff Reporter.
Pakistan are on the brink of the semi-finals of the Men’s T20 World Cup after a thrilling five-wicket win against Afghanistan in Dubai.
In an enthralling match, Pakistan were cruising in a chase of 148 until captain Babar Azam was bowled by Rashid Khan for 51.
Shoaib Malik was caught behind in the next over but, with 24 needed from the last 12 balls, Asif Ali smashed four sixes in the 19th over to seal success with six balls to spare.
Asif finished with a stunning 25 not out from seven balls, sending a vocal crowd wild in the closing moments.
Afghanistan, who played their part in the thriller, were hauled to 147-6 by a battling unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 71 between Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib, who both made 35 not out.
They were 76-6 after a high-octane start where Pakistan’s bowlers, and Afghanistan’s attacking approach, created an electric atmosphere.
Pakistan, undoubtedly one of the tournament favourites, are top of Group 2 with three wins from three games.
The other teams in the group, including India and New Zealand, have games in hand, but Pakistan play Namibia and Scotland – the two lowest-ranked teams left in the tournament – in their remaining games.
Meanwhile defending champions West Indies kept their Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a tense three-run win over Bangladesh in Sharjah.
Chasing 143 to win, Bangladesh needed 13 from the final over and worked that down to four from the final ball.
Captain Mahmudullah missed though and Bangladesh suffered a third straight loss to be all-but eliminated.
Earlier West Indies limped to 48-3 from 10 overs before making 142-7 thanks to Nicholas Pooran’s 40.
Bangladesh could still make the last four if one of England or Australia, who meet at 15:00 BST on Saturday, win all five of their group games, and then other results leave the other five teams all on four points.
Net run-rate would then decide the second semi-finalist, but with Bangladesh’s currently -1.069 it is extremely unlikely they’ll be able to progress.