Pakistan vs Afghanistan Asia Cup 2022: Naseem Shah’s match-turning sixes and other talking points

Naseem Shah ran half a mile on the field, his hands swaying, threw his bat away, removed his helmet, and threw it like he had 10 more in the kit bag. Hasan Ali in his blue apron had ran out to him till then from the dugout. The two had a moment. Naseem then threw his gloves off. The entire Pakistan team was out to celebrate the win.

This wasn’t the first time a team has celebrated a win in such a manner. But every time a team celebrates as such, it does become iconic. Pakistan had beaten Afghanistan in the closest of the matches in this Asia Cup. More importantly, Pakistan had ensured an India knock-out from the tournament. The celebrations were obvious.

Afghanistan had been brilliant throughout the night with the ball. They made a target of 130 look like 180, and going into the final over, were deemed to be the winners with just one wicket remaining to be dismissed.

Azalhaq Farooqi, who had a brilliant day, had picked up three crucial wickets in his first three overs and shared only 19 runs. But cricket is a leveler, as we have repeatedly seen in the tournament.

Pakistan promotes Nawaz to 4; he becomes Man-Of-The-Match,

Pakistan promotes Shadab to 5; he becomes Man-Of-The-Match.

For the billionth time, flexible batting orders, matchups & low-value-wickets work in T20 cricket. So impressive to see Pakistan doing it.

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) September 7, 2022

For once, fans from three teams would have been glued to the screens, but the team that didn’t have the additional support, went on to win the match.

Ideally, there is no talking point apart from Naseem Shah’s two sixes, but as a ritual, we have added four more.

Naseem Shah’s game-changing sixes

Pakistan had lost nine wickets. Pakistan needed 11 runs in six balls. That is when the green army’s number 11 batter tonked two huge hits straight over the bowler’s head.

The first one ensured tides on the sight screen curtain. The second one made Rashid Khan – fielding at long off – stretch like he was the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards. Only he wasn’t and that sealed the game for Pakistan.

Farooqi who was brilliant in the 18^th over, missed the Yorkers by a few inches, maybe centimeters and the Naseem ensured to convert those into full toss to be smashed out of the park.

Ravi Shastri designated Naseem as an all-rounder after the match, who was till then certified as a number 11.

Afghanistan’s dynamic powerplay

Afghanistan started the powerplay in a dramatic fashion as Hazratullah Zazai was beaten on the very first delivery from Naseem Shah. Pakistan discussed a review, but decided against it at the end.

After a tidy first over, the second over was taken over the park with Gurbaz hitting back-to-back sixes off Mohammad Hasnain.

Afghanistan tried to play at a brisk rate in the power play and hit four 4s and two 6s ending their powerplay on 48 runs, but also lost two wickets on the way.

Haris Rauf broke Gurbaz’s furniture first up in the fourth over and Hasnain repeated what Rauf had started six balls later, bowling out Zazai.

What a match! We couldn’t have asked for a bigger thriller