पाकिस्तान vs अफ़ग़ानिस्तान, Super Four - Match 4, शारजाह क्रिकेट स्टेडियम, शारजाह, 07 September 2022 - कमेंट्री

SIX! BANG! This game is not over! A full toss outside off, Naseem Shah gives it the full whack of his bat and towers it over long off for a biggie. 5 needed off 5 balls. It's all about keeping calm now.

 SIX! Naseem Shah has sent this one over the fence as well! The crowd erupts. Naseem is overjoyed. He is pumped up and the Pakistan players charge out to the middle. They are hugging Shah. Emotions running wild. Afghanistan are distraught. Ecstasy in one frame, agony in another. What a game! What a thrilling finish! Yet another full toss as Fazalhaq Farooqi fails to nail his yorker, Naseem Shah rocks back and pummels it over long off for a maximum. PAKISTAN WIN BY 1 WICKET! Afghanistan are knocked out, India are also done and dusted.

Slower one, short and on off, Asif pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

OUT! Another batter has dragged it on! What is going on? These are unbelievable scenes. Slightly short in length and outside off, at 139 kph, Haris Rauf goes for a big shot as he swings his bat but it takes the inside edge and cannons onto the stumps. Afghanistan are roaring and somewhere the Indian fans will also be making a lot of noise. 20 needed off 10 balls.

Appeal for a caught behind but the umpire has signalled for a wide. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is sure that he has heard something and Mohammad Nabi takes the DRS. Coming to the delivery, it's short and angling down the leg side, Naseem tries to glance but misses. The UltraEdge finds nothing. Afghanistan have now lost all their reviews.

Lands it on a length and outside off, Shah pushes inside the line and edges it down to third man for a single. 18 needed off 9 balls and Asif Ali is back on strike.

SIX! Colossal! Not for the first time we are seeing Asif Ali hitting a clean shot. Fullish and around off, right in the slot, Asif clears his front leg and launches it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

OUT! ASIF ALI IS GONE! This is a body blow to Pakistan. Fareed Ahmad goes short this time and takes the pace off it. It's 114 kph around off and rising onto the batter who shapes up to pull. But it takes the top edge and Karim Janat takes a safe catch over his head at short fine leg. 12 needed off 7 balls with only one wicket in hand.

Shortish and on off, Shah drags it down to long on for one. 11 needed off the last over. What a thriller!

OUT! LBW! Mohammad Nawaz is given out and he decides to review the decision. This is some smart thinking from Fazalhaq Farooqi. He takes the pace off and serves a cutter on a length around off. Mohammad Nawaz stays rooted to the crease and attempts to heave it over the leg side but misses. He is thudded on the back pad, they appeal and the umpire agrees. DRS time! UltraEdge detects nothing and the Ball Tracking confirms everything is in line. Nawaz is already walking and this game takes another twist. 25 needed off 17 balls.

Drifting down the leg side, Shah tries to flick but misses. He is hit on the pads, the bowler appeals and the batters cross for a leg bye.

Fazalhaq Farooqi comes from 'round the wicket and angles in a very full ball on off, Asif forces it down to long on for one.

Too full in length and around leg, Khushdil uses the angle of the bowler and works it to deep square leg for one.

Very full and around off, Asif clears his front leg and drags it down to long on for a single.

OUT! CHOPS IT ON! What an over this has been for Afghanistan! Fuller in length and outside off, at 137 kph, Khushdil Shah tries to drive away from his body but it takes the inner edge and destroys the stumps behind. Fazalhaq Farooqi is charged up, and Afghanistan are still believing. 21 needed off 12 balls.

SIX! Shadab is struggling but there's no struggle behind this shot. A touch short and around off, Shadab goes down on one knee and swings it all the way over deep square leg for a biggie.

OUT! CAUGHT! 33 needed off 22 balls and Rashid Khan is keeping his team in the game. Despite going for a biggie, Rashid shows the courage to flight this time. It's full and outside off, turning away, Shadab Khan attempts to heave but only manages a top edge towards backward square leg. Two fielders converge but Azmatullah Omarzai is the one taking the catch over his head.

SIX! What a shot from Asif Ali! Seems he has come out straight from the nets. Loopy and full, landing around middle, Asif Ali kneels down and nails it over mid-wicket for a biggie. 

Flatter and quicker, on middle, Asif Ali tucks it towards mid-wicket where Rashid chases and puts in a dive to stop it, but fumbles a bit and the batters get a run.

Tossed up, on leg, turning in, Mohammad Nawaz looks to block it but the ball goes off his pads towards short fine leg. A leg bye is taken.

Quicker again, on off, Asif Ali looks to defend it but gets a leading edge towards point. 25 runs needed in 18 balls now.

Short delivery, on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

This is on a good length and on off, Shadab Khan smashes it towards extra cover and sets off for a run, the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses and Shadab gets home. A direct hit would have made things interesting.

OUT! CAUGHT! Afghanistan continue to fight and this is an important breakthrough as the partnership was taking the game away. Fareed Ahmad steams in from 'round the wicket and serves a short delivery outside off. It's on the slower side and Iftikhar Ahmed has to generate all the power behind his attempted pull shot. He fails to do so and is caught at deep mid-wicket by Ibrahim Zadran. 43 needed off 27 balls and this game is still wide open. 

FOUR! It's intentional but to get it that fine, you have to play with real soft hands. Fareed lands it on a good length outside off, at 138 clicks, Mohammad Nawaz opens the face and guides it past the diving keeper for a boundary at third man.

A dot! This is on a hard length and on off, Mohammad Nawaz guides it but cannot beat point.

Another dot to end the over! This is again on a hard length and on off, Mohammad Nawaz swings wildly at it but misses. There is a slight appeal for caught behind but the umpire remains unmoved.

Flatter and quicker, on leg, Iftikhar Ahmed tucks it towards square leg for a single.

Tossed up, short and on middle, turning away, Shadab Khan blocks it out. They should get a slip in place for Shadab.

A bit short and on middle, Shadab Khan works it towards mid-wicket for one run.

Again short, on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed goes back and pushes it back to Rashid who makes a half stop.

Floated and around middle, Iftikhar Ahmed covers his stump and defends it down on the pitch.

Shortish and on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed goes on his back foot and forces it to the right of Rashid where he dives but cannot stop the ball. A single is taken.

On a length and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed guides it past point for a single.

Length again and on off, angling in, keeps a bit low, Shadab Khan looks to play at it but gets beaten due to the lack of bounce.

A bit fuller and on off, Shadab Khan pushes it straight towards point.

Fuller again, Shadab Khan mistimes his drive towards covers but still picks up a single.

Fareed Ahmad goes wide of the crease, and serves a length ball, angling in, Iftikhar Ahmed gets cramped and blocks it out.

Short and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed reaches for it and cuts it towards sweeper cover for one. Only 3 runs from the over then. 48 needed off 36 balls.

Flatter and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed stays there and slaps it down to long on for a single.

Tossed up, full and on off, Shadab Khan blocks it towards covers.

Beaten! This is pushed through quicker, short and on off, Shadab Khan looks to cut it but misses.

SIX! Dispatched! Pakistan continue to get new heroes for every game. It's Shadab's turn with the bat this evening. Fuller delivery, around off, skidding into the batter, Shadab Khan goes down on one knee in a flash and clobbers it over mid-wicket.

Fires this one down the middle, Shadab Khan knocks it towards covers.

Flatter, short and on middle, Shadab Khan looks to pull it but misses and gets hit on his gloves as the ball goes nowhere. It falls and rolls behind the keeper. Gurbaz acts that he is unsure where the ball is... Shadab turns and runs towards the ball in fun. Good to see them showing their funny side in this tense situation.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Shadab Khan heaves it towards deep mid-wicket off the inner edge for just a run.

Full and on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed drills it down to long on for a run.

SIX! HUGE! Quicker delivery from Nabi, around off and fuller in length, Shadab Khan goes down on one knee and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Darts in a yorker, on middle, Shadab Khan digs it back to the bowler. Good comeback from Nabi!

FOUR! This is turning out to be a big over for Pakistan! A low full toss around off, Shadab Khan bends his back knee, generates good power and pumps it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Nabi comes 'round the wicket and floats this up, on middle, Shadab Khan sweeps it towards deep square leg for a brace. 14 runs from the over, just what Pakistan needed.

Starts with a good-length delivery, on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed cuts it through backward point for a brace.

Goes short and on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed pulls it, but mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on off, Shadab Khan drives it through covers for a single.

Another full delivery, on off, Iftikhar Ahmed pushes it towards covers. Dot!

A slower one, on a length and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed bunts it onto the ground and towards short third man where the keeper fields it. They cross.

Fuller one and on off, Shadab Khan looks to drive it but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

Mohammad Nabi bowls this full and in line with the stumps, Shadab Khan blocks the ball to the right of the bowler. 

This one is a touch short and outside the off stump, Shadab Khan looks to cut but gets beaten. 

Delivers this one full and outside off, Shadab Khan knocks the ball past point for a single.

Mohammad Nabi serves this full and angling into the batter. Iftikhar Ahmed clips the ball towards the mid-wicket fielder. 

Mohammad Nabi fires this one full and straight. Iftikhar Ahmed punches this towards long on and brings up the fifty for Pakistan.

This one is slightly short and wide outside the off pole, Shadab Khan rocks back and slashes at the ball. They take a couple of runs as the ball goes wide of deep cover. 

Rashid Khan bowls this full and into the pads, Mohammad Rizwan clips the ball to deep mid-wicket and they take one more. 

Pakistan not taking any risks against Rashid Khan. He bowls this full and outside off, and Iftikhar Ahmed pushes the ball to long on for a single. 

Rashid Khan bowls this full and in line with the stumps, Mohammad Rizwan smothers the ball into the pitch. 

OUT! GIVEN LBW! This is a massive moment in the match. Mohammad Rizwan has taken the DRS. It's a well-disguised googly from Rashid Khan. Landing a touch short around middle and turning in. Rizwan goes on the back foot to work it around but misses and is rapped on the front pad. They appeal vociferously and this time the finger has gone up. DRS time. No bat is found on the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows three reds. Pakistan are under pressure with their famed top three back in the hut. 85 needed off 68 balls. Game on!

Clever from Shadab Khan! Rashid Khan floats one full and outside off, Shadab Khan gets across and paddles the ball towards fine leg for a couple of runs. 

Rashid Khan bowls this quicker outside off, on a fuller length, Shadab Khan clips the ball to wide long on for a single. 

Mohammad Nabi bowls full and in line with the stumps, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to work this leg side but gets a leading edge past point for a single. 

Floats this one full and just outside off, Mohammad Rizwan flicks the ball towards mid-wicket. 

This is wide outside off on a fuller length, Mohammad Rizwan taps the ball towards short third man and rushes for a run. 

Flatter on middle, flicked to mid-wicket where the fielder made a diving stop.

Goes on the back foot and works it through square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi bowls this short and outside off, Mohammad Rizwan rocks back in the crease and works the ball to wide long on for a run. 87 needed off 72 balls.

Rashid Khan begins with a full delivery, bowled quicker and outside off, Mohammad Rizwan clips the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

Flights a googly in the line of the stumps on a fuller length, Iftikhar Ahmed pushes at this and gets an inside edge through his legs, towards square leg, for a run.

Shout for an lbw! The umpire shakes his head. Mohammad Nabi gets convinced to take the referral. It's a googly, landing full and outside off, Rizwan leans forward and across to defend but misses and is pinged on the front pad. DRS time. UltraEdge finds nothing. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside the line of the off stump. Review lost.

Rashid Khan continues bowling full and outside off, Mohammad Rizwan gets a stride forward and uses his wrists to work the ball towards deep square leg for a single. 

Goes full once again and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed taps this towards backward point. 

Rashid Khan serves this one full and into the pads, Iftikhar Ahmed flicks this towards deep square leg and they take one more run. 

Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls this full and in line with the stumps, Mohammad Rizwan taps the ball back towards the bowler. 

This is fired into the pads on a fuller length, Mohammad Rizwan looks to sweep but the ball hits the pads and rolls to short fine leg. They take a leg bye. 

Bowls a straighter delivery full and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed pushes at the ball and is beaten on the outside edge. 

Quicker one around off, knocked down to wide long on for a run.

Slower one, full and on off, Rizwan leans forward and nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a quick run.

Fires it flat on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed goes back and pushes it to mid-wicket. At the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan are 35 for 2. 95 needed off 84 balls

Fareed Ahmad begins with a full delivery outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed strokes the ball towards point and the fielder stops well diving to his left. 

FOUR! A lucky boundary for Pakistan! Fareed Ahmad bowls from 'round the wicket to the right-hander and gets the ball to angle in from outside off on a good length. Iftikhar Ahmed looks to push at the ball but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a boundary. 

This is on a good length and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed strokes this into the gap on the offside but the ball does not have the quick legs to reach the deep cover fence as it's chased down. They take three runs. 

Angling in on middle and leg, Rizwan clips it fine but finds the short fine leg fielder.

Fareed Ahmad bowls this outside the off stump channel on a good length, Mohammad Rizwan knocks this to the right of the bowler and rushes for a single as the mid on fielder comes and cuts it off. He has a shy but misses as Rizwan dives in.

FOUR! This has been slapped away! Fareed Ahmad serves this one short and outside the off pole, Iftikhar Ahmed rocks back and pulls the ball towards the deep mid-wicket fence for four more runs! Really expensive over as 12 runs have come off it. 

OUT! RUN OUT! Pakistan have got themselves into trouble here! Mujeeb Ur Rahman fires a quick delivery, full and outside off, Fakhar Zaman taps the ball towards cover with soft hands and takes off for a single. Najibullah Zadran is quick on the ball as he lifts it and takes aim at the non-striker's end. Gets a direct hit and they go upstairs to check. Replays show that Fakhar Zaman is short and Pakistan have lost their second wicket. 

Flatter and on off, punched to mid-wicket.

Quicker and on middle, again Rizwan goes back and this time he forces it down to long on for one.

Slower through the air, full and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed pushes it with an angled bat to point.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls this a fraction short and angling down leg, Iftikhar Ahmed uses the crease and flicks this ball towards deep square leg for a single. 

This is bowled short as well and angling into the stumps, Mohammad Rizwan tucks this straight to the short fine leg fielder. Just 2 runs from this over and a wicket. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls this full and in line with the stumps, Mohammad Rizwan keeps this out and pushes the ball towards mid on. 

Delivers this one on a good length and outside the off stump line, Mohammad Rizwan gets on top of the ball and taps it towards cover-point. 

SIX! Picked up over the leg side! That is the first maximum of the Pakistan innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls this on a good length but strays onto the legs, Mohammad Rizwan uses the pace of the bowler and picks it up and deposits it over the deep backward square leg boundary. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi aims for a yorker but only manages a low full toss outside off, Rizwan pushes it to mid off.

Goes back to bowling on a good length and outside off, Mohammad Rizwan cuts the ball towards point.

FOUR! Mohammad Rizwan bisects the gap in the deep on the leg side! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes really full and on the pads, easy pickings for Mohammad Rizwan as he clips this towards the deep mid-wicket fence for four runs. 

Slider around off, on the shorter side, Fakhar stays back and defends it to the leg side.

Flighted and full, around middle, Fakhar stays back and defends it on the leg side again.

Fuller and on off, skidding in, Fakhar defends it from the inner half of his bat to short mid-wicket.

Skidding down the leg side, Fakhar fails to flick and it goes off his pads to mid-wicket. The fielder rushes across to his left and the batters complete a leg bye.

Quicker one, it's fired in full around off, Rizwan pushes it defensively to covers.

Offers some flight to this delivery, full and on middle, Rizwan works it in front of square on the leg side for a single. Excellent over from Mujeeb.

Pakistan are away! Farooqi begins his spell with a full delivery around middle, Mohammad Rizwan leans across and bunts it towards mid on for a brisk single.

OUT! Given lbw! Babar Azam's lean patch continues as he goes for a golden duck. Weird evening for both the captains. This is a prized scalp for Fazalhaq Farooqi. He delivers it on a length around leg and gets it to skid on with the angle at 139 kph, Babar Azam is caught napping on the back foot as he attempts to work it away. He fails to do that and is pinged on the pads. The appeal is made and the umpire raises his finger. Plumb. Babar walks without even thinking about the referral. A perfect start for Afghanistan!  

Serves it on a length and outside off, at 141 kph, Fakhar Zaman offers no shot.

EDGY FOUR! Fazalhaq Farooqi serves it on a length and outside off, shaping away, Zaman pokes inside the line and edges it down to third man for a boundary.

Pitches it up and around off, Fakhar drives but finds the fielder at mid off.

Around off, on a length, angling in at 141 kph, Zaman gets behind the line and pushes it softly to mid on for a run.