Prime Minister Imran Khan praised the “impressive” Afghanistan cricket team after it gave ‘favourites’ Pakistan a tough time during a nail-biting Twenty20 World Cup encounter on Friday.
Yesterday, Pakistan registered its third consecutive win in as many games in Group 2 of the Super 12 stages, almost assuring a semi-final place, needing just one more win from their last two games.
Asif Ali smashed four sixes in the penultimate over to help Pakistan achieve a hard-fought win over the neighbouring country.
With Pakistan needing 24 runs off the final two overs, Asif lifted paceman Karim Janat’s first, third, fifth and sixth balls over the boundary to help Pakistan overhaul a tricky 148-run target.
Asif finished with 25 off just seven balls with four sixes and a single, leaving Janat and all the other Afghan players frustrated.
Afghanistan scored a fighting 147-6 in their 20 overs with Gulbadin Naib and skipper Mohammad Nabi each scoring 35.
PM Imran, also a former cricket star, congratulated the Pakistani team for the victory. However, he did not fail to laud the Afghanistan side for putting up a great show amid crisis back home after the Taliban takeover against a stronger Pakistani cricket team.
Congratulations Team Pakistan. Impressive cricket by Team Afghanistan. Never have I seen a cricketing nation rise as rapidly as Afghanistan in international cricket & become so competitive. With this competitive spirit & talent the future of cricket is bright in Afghanistan.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 29, 2021
“Impressive cricket by Team Afghanistan,” said the premier in a tweet last night.
“Never have I seen a cricketing nation rise as rapidly as Afghanistan in international cricket & become so competitive.”
“With this competitive spirit and talent, the future of cricket is bright in Afghanistan,” said PM Imran Khan.
Not just PM Imran, several Pakistanis on social media also lauded the Afghanistan team for their hard work and splendid show last night.
Pakistan cricket team needs one more win against either Namibia or Scotland to qualify for the semis.
