Sharjah: Team India are out of reckoning for a berth in the Asia Cup final after Pakistan stole a one-wicket win over Afghanistan in their Super 4 clash here on Wednesday night.
With 10 runs needed in the final over and just one wicket to fall, talented fast bowler Naseem Shah showed his prowess as a batter, hitting the first two balls of the final over for sixes to take Pakistan home.
Chasing a modest target of 130 after restricting Afghanistan to 129/6, Pakistan crossed the line with 4 balls and a wicket to spare.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka thus qualified for Sunday’s title-round clash with two wins each. India and Afghanistan don’t stand a chance after losing both their games.
India’s final Super 4 match against Afghanistan on Thursday and the Pakistan versus Sri Lanka clash on Friday have been rendered redundant.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 129/6 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 35; Haris Rauf 2/26). Pakistan 131/9 in 19.2 overs (Shadab Khan 36, Iftikhar Ahmed 30; Fazalhaq Farooqi 3/31, Fareed Ahmad 3/31, Rashid Khan 2/25).
Result: Pakistan win by 1 wicket.
