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March 25 2023

Afghanistan secured a historic win over Pakistan, their first in any format of the game, having clinched a low-scoring encounter in Sharjah. The first of the three-match series saw Pakistan opting to bat and be restricted to just 92. Pakistan's inexperienced batting group was kept in check by Afghanistan's seasoned bowlers on a pitch that wasn't easy for strokeplay.

Although a few batters got off to starts, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals with the highest score being just 18 made by Imad Wasim at No. 6. While the pacers managed to keep them under control initially, with Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq all striking inside the powerplay to get rid of the top three.

There was no respite for Pakistan even when spin came on. The trio of Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi shared five wickets between them as the lower order was punctured regularly. Wasim and Shadab Khan offered resistance for a brief period before the latter was taken out by Mujeeb. Wasim attempted to steady the innings with a 32-ball knock, but just as he was about to tee off, his innings was ended by Farooqi leaving Pakistan scrambling to 92.

The chase wasn't straightforward for Afghanistan, for Pakistan's debutant Ihsanullah struck twice in his first three balls getting rid of Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib. He was complemented at the other end with Naseem Shah bagging Rahmanullah Gurbaz to reduce Afghanistan to 27/3. It became 45/4 at the halfway stage when Wasim got the better of Karim Janat, leaving Afghanistan periliously placed.

However, those proved to be the only hiccups as Mohammad Nabi, with an unbeaten, run-a-ball 38 and Najibullah Zadran put on a steady 43-run stand that gave Afghanistan a historic win.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 92/9 in 20 overs (Imad Wasim 18; Mohammad Nabi 2-12, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-13) lost to Afghanistan 98/4 (Mohammad Nabi 38*) by 6 wickets

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