Abdalyan Beat Pakistan to enter Asian Games Grand Finale

AfghanAbdalyan have demonstrated an excellent all-round display to beat Pakistan by 4 wickets in the semi-final and make it to the Grand Finale of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competitions 2023.

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan opted to field first. Pakistan got into a good start but kept losing wickets later on as they were bundled out for 115 runs in the first inning. Fareed Ahmad (3/15) bowled extremely well and picked up three wickets, Qais Ahmad (2/11) maintained his fine form from the previous game and returned with 2 wickets. Zahir Khan (2/20), Karim Jannat (1/12), and the skipper Gulbadin Naib (1/29) also chipped in with a wicket apiece. 

In reply, Afghanistan started well as they scored 9 in the first over, but lost Sediqullah Atal (5) in the 2nd over. Mohammad Shahzad (9) shared 26 runs for the 2nd wicket with Noor Ali before throwing his wicket away in the 5th over. Shahidullah Kamal fell two balls later to leave Afghanistan in all sorts of trouble. Noor Ali Zadran (39) put on a 36-run stand with Afsar Zazai (13) before both departed one after the other in three balls to leave Afghanistan at 71/5 in 12.1 overs. 

Karim Jannat (3) also couldn’t make a mark as he fell to Usman Qadir in an attempt to up the ante, but the skipper Gulbadin Naib (26*) held his nerves to take Afghanistan home with more than two overs to go. Afghanistan needed 23 runs from the last three overs but Gulbadin Naib went 6,6 & 4 and took only five deliveries to take his team into the finals. 

Afghanistan has qualified for the Grand Finale of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competitions, making it the 3rd time (out of three times) to reach the finals. Afghanistan have always been finalists in these competitions but have finished winning silvers, and will be hoping to turn things around and bring gold to the country.