Shaheer Ahmed
How is it possible that the Pakistan team’s matches are just smooth and not thrilling, chilling, and terrific? There is no way things can be easy in a simple match where there is nothing to worry about. Pakistan loves to make things trickier and high pressured. Fans have been going through heavy mental and heart pressure. The match between Afghanistan has been nail-biting. From restricting them to 129/6 to being the lost ones, it was a nerve-breaking match. Then again, in this Asia cup, everyone has given their due share. This time the no. 10 batsman, our young gun Naseem Shah won our hearts by hitting 2 sixes on the last balls snatching away the victory like a lion from Afghanistan. He has already been winning our hearts throughout the Asia Cup 2022. We are proud of you young lad!
Pakistani bowlers restricted Afghanistan to 126/ 6. Haris Rauf took 2 wickets whereas Naseem Shah, Husnain, Nawaz, and Shadab took one wicket each. Ibrahim Zadran made 35 runs whereas Hazratullah Zazai contributed 21 runs to the total.
Pakistan took a slow and sluggish start. The early dismissal of Babar was heartbreaking as fans were expecting a captain’s knock from him as he has not been able to take a firm knock throughout the Asia Cup. While wickets started falling down, the pressure went up. Being desperate to finish the game early some of the runouts were unnecessary. After 52/3, Shadab was sent to finish the game, but he couldn’t despite making 36 of 26 balls. His departure put faith in Asif Ali, Iftikhar, and Haris Rauf.
The match was almost won by Afghanistan when the last pair Naseem and Husnain were on the crease. All the previous matches have been won in the last over or last ball. Despite being young, Naseem shah hit 2 sixes back to back to make Pakistan win. Oh Boy!!! What a relief!!! It was beyond expression and belief. He emerged as the Miandad of this era who had scored a six on the last ball in Sharjah. Carrying his legacy, Naseem has etched the name in Pakistan’s cricket forever.
A nerve-wracking match it has been! He took revenge of Asif Ali who was sledged and hit by Fareed when he got out. This was triggering for Naseem Shah as he was on the other side of the crease witnessing it. Such a brotherhood and team spirit has been seen after a long time. As the team is young, keeping each other’s back and support is the key to success and team environment as well. Babar has been supportive of his teammates which is why they are known for having cordial relations with other teams as well. The important thing is that the sports spirit and sportsmanship should be retained and the behavior should transcend the boundaries of taking a personal grudge against others.
Pakistan beat India by 5 Wickets in Asia Cup 2022
We are proud of Naseem Shah who is in excellent form in the Asia Cup winning our hearts. The absence of Shaheen Shah has become an opportunity for the young bowlers to show their potential for the future on which the team can depend. We are just left with a match with Sri Lanka, and then straight to the finals.
We wish the green team all the best. Our prayers and wishes are with them.
