Afghanistan won its first series against neighboring Pakistan, a top-six-ranked International Cricket Council team, for the first time since the war-torn country’s world cricket debut in 2009. It beat Pakistan 2-1 in a three-match series in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan has displayed impressive run-chase to beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international (T20I) with one ball remaining and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Sunday. However, Pakistan collected a consolation 66-run win in the third and final Twenty20 international in Sharjah on Monday but Afghanistan take the series 2-1.
“It’s a special occasion to be part of this team, it was a great effort from everyone. We won the series, but we have some areas to improve on. It was a great learning for us. We responded well under pressure…we have struggled under pressure in the past but I’m happy that we chased in a couple of games. This was a much better wicket than the first two games. I felt 10 an over was gettable on this wicket. But the run-out and then Najib got hit, and we lost wickets in the middle. Any series after this is a good preparation for us before the World Cup. Every game teaches us and the youngsters are going to be much better. I try to focus on fitness and work hard, need to make it as hard as possible for the batters. Need to keep it simple, not confuse myself and not experiment much. I know my routine and I try to hit the areas,” said Afghan captain Rashid Khan during a post match interview.
Meanwhile Pakistani captain Shadab Khan during the Post Match interview said: ” We wanted to finish on a high note and we have done that. We had to adapt to the conditions and the batsmen managed to do that tonight. We needed to play for Pakistan’s pride and we did it. The main motive of this series was to give the youngsters a chance, hopefully, they will get confidence from these matches and it will help them in the long run.”
AH
