Afghanistan claim their fourth T20I win over Pakistan: Key stats
What's the story
A spirited Afghanistan beat Pakistan in Match 4 of the UAE T20I Tri-Series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Afghans finally snapped Pakistan's unbeaten run after defending 169. Afghanistan spinners were once again in action, this time choking Pakistan. Earlier, a 113-run stand between Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran powered Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Faheem Ashraf took four of the five wickets in the first innings.
Partnership
Century stand bolsters Afghanistan after shaky start
Electing to bat first, Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the second over. Like the UAE game, Atal and Zadran steadied the ship with a century stand. They added 113 runs, taking the Afghans past 120. Both Atal (3 fours and 3 sixes) and Zadran (8 fours and 1 six) played 45 balls, scoring 64 and 65 runs, respectively.
Information
Record second-wicket stand for Afghanistan
As per Cricbuzz, Atal and Zadran registered the second-highest second-wicket stand for Afghanistan in T20Is, behind 137 runs between Ibrahim and Gurbaz against the UAE in 2023 (Sharjah).
Comeback
Ashraf helps Pakistan bounce back
The century stand was finally snapped by Ashraf in the 16th over, when he had Atal caught at long-on. Ashraf struck again in his next over, dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai (4) and Zadran. He then dismissed Mohammad Nabi (6) in the final over. Pakistan, therefore, made a comeback after reducing Afghanistan from 123/1 to 161/5. The Afghans eventually reached 169/5 in 20 overs.
Figures
Career-best bowling figures in T20Is
Faheem Ashraf recorded his career-best bowling figures in T20I cricket. The all-rounder, who made his T20I debut in 2017, has raced to 46 wickets from 60 matches at an average of 26.32. His tally includes an economy rate of 7.75. As per ESPNcricinfo, the Pakistan seamer registered his maiden four-wicket haul in T20I cricket. Overall, he owns 230 wickets in T20 cricket.
Pakistan
Pakistan falter in run chase
Pakistan started poorly with Saim Ayub's early dismissal (0). Although Sahibzada Farhan looked robust, Fazalhaq Farooqi knocked him over. While Fakhar Zaman (25) showed some promise, skipper Salman Agha (20) was run out. The likes of Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad deflated the Pakistan middle order thereafter. Pakistan, who were down to 111/9, could reach 151/9 with Haris Rauf's 16-ball 34* (4 sixes).
Zaman
Fakhar Zaman completes 2,000 T20I runs
Zaman, a senior batter, became the fifth Pakistan player with 2,000 runs in T20I cricket. Zaman touched the 2,000-run mark in his 100th appearance for Pakistan. He became the sixth player to feature in as many T20Is for the side. In terms of T20I runs for Pakistan, he is only behind Babar Azam (4,223), Mohammad Rizwan (3,414), Mohammad Hafeez (2,514), and Shoaib Malik (2,423).
Bowling
How Afghanistan bowlers fared
It was yet another concerted bowling effort from Afghanistan. The likes of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nabi, Rashid, and Noor took two wickets each. While Nabi (4-0-20-2) and Noor (4-0-20-2) had identical figures, skipper Rashid conceded 30 runs in four overs. The latter was on a hat-trick after dismissing Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi in the 16th over. Meanwhile, debutant AM Ghazanfar returned wicketless.
Milestone
Nabi gets to 100 T20I wickets
With his first of the match, Nabi became the second Afghanistan bowler to complete 100 wickets in T20I cricket. He unlocked the achievement in his 135th appearance. The star all-rounder is only behind Rashid, the highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. In 125 innings, Nabi has taken 101 wickets at an average of 27.49. His tally includes 3 four-wicket hauls.
Record
Nabi attains this double
Nabi attained another feat, becoming only the second player with the double of 100 wickets and 2,000 runs in T20I cricket. With 2,200-plus runs, he is the leading run-scorer for Afghanistan in the format. Only one other player has 2,000-plus T20I runs for the side. As per ESPNcricinfo, Nabi joined Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, who owns 2,551 runs and 149 wickets in T20I cricket.
Victory
Afghanistan break Pakistan's unbeaten streak
As mentioned, Afghanistan broke Pakistan's unbeaten streak in the ongoing T20I Tri-Series, also involving hosts UAE. While both Afghanistan and Pakistan now own four points, UAE are yet to open their account. As per ESPNcricinfo, Afghanistan claimed their fourth victory over Pakistan in T20I cricket. The two teams have clashed nine times, with Pakistan winning five encounters.