Dubai Amateur 17-year-old Oscar Craig continues to showcase his impressive form with third-round level par 72 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
sports1 day ago
Stand-in skipper Shadab Khan gave an all-round performance to guide Pakistan to a consolation 66-run win in the third and final Twenty20 international at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday but Afghanistan took the series 2-1.
Having lost the first two matches by six and seven wickets respectively, Pakistan's new-look side posted a strong 182-7 in 20 overs before restricting Afghanistan to 116 in 18.4 overs.
Opener Saim Ayub led an improved batting show as Pakistan scored 182-7 after their below-par 92-9 and 130-6 in the first two matches.
Shadab then became the first Pakistani and seventh bowler overall to complete 100 T20I wickets in his 87th match, claiming 3-13.
Afghanistan was never in hunt for the stiff target as fiery pacer Ihsanullah dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) and Karim Janat (nought) before his sharp bouncer left Najibullah Zadran's chin bleeding.
Najibullah was stable but could not resume his innings. Azmatullah Omarzai, concussion substitute for Najibullah, top-scored with 20-ball 21, hitting a six and two boundaries.
Ihsanullah finished with 3-29.
Mohammad Nabi was run out for 17, Rashid Khan made 16 and Usman Ghani scored 15 before becoming Shadab's 100th T20I wicket.
Despite the series defeat, Pakistan can take heart from the fact that they checked their bench strength, having rested regular skipper Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
Earlier, Ayub hit a solid 40-ball 49 with two sixes and four boundaries while Iftikhar Ahmed scored 31 from 25 balls with two sixes.
Shadab, who made 28, and Abdullah Shafique (23) were the other main run getters.
For Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers with 2-28.
ALSO READ:
Dubai Amateur 17-year-old Oscar Craig continues to showcase his impressive form with third-round level par 72 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
sports1 day ago
Twice Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is set to make his Olympic debut while Nadal will be eyeing his third gold medal after wins in Beijing and Rio
sports1 day ago
The defending champions overpowered TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Cairo
sports1 day ago
Although the Gunners are top as they chase a first title for 20 years, Manchester City are regarded as statistical favourites to win a fourth successive crown
sports1 day ago
Highly-rated 19-year-old Turkish midfielder Arda Guler scores match-winner on his first La Liga start
sports1 day ago
After a gap of nine years, the National side will play in the premier T20 tournament scheduled to be jointly hosted by the UAE and Oman
sports1 day ago
Debutant and |Dubai amateur Oscar Craig makes the cut on a tough day dominated by warm winds
sports1 day ago
Chief organiser Tony Estanguet says the goal is to organise a 'spectacular but also more responsible Games which will contribute towards a more inclusive society'
sports1 day ago