PAK vs AFG HIGHLIGHTS: Afghanistan WIN by 6 wickets – Afghanistan created history when they went on to beat Pakistan for the first time ever in the 1st T20I game of the 3-match series. Batting first, Pakistan managed to score 92 runs as the hosts wrapped up the match in the 18th over to register a 6-wicket win. Mohammad Nabi was adjudged the man of the match for his unbeaten 38 run knock. Check AFG vs PAK Highlights on InsideSport.IN
Pakistan’s new young side suffered a dramatic collapse as they crawled to 92/9 in 20 overs. After opting to bat first, the visitors lost their opening wicket in the 3rd over as Saim Ayub got bowled out on 17. The first wicket opened the floodgates as the Men in Green lost wickets at regular wickets to give Afghanistan momentum. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as his spell of 2/9 in 4 overs broke Pakistan’s batting spine.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Naseeb Khan said the best available players had been chosen. Former captain Mohammad Nabi, who stepped down after the Twenty20 World Cup in November, is also part of the squad. Wily spinner Rashid Khan will lead the Afghanistan team in the T20I series against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in the absence of all-format captain Babar Azam, the Pakistan side will be led by Shadow Khan. He has been the Pakistan vice-captain in white-ball cricket for the past couple of years.
Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan is coming off a successful bilateral series against the UAE, where they won the series 2-1. Whereas, Pakistan will be looking to bounce back after their disappointment at the T20 World Cup, where they finished runners-up to Australia.
AFG vs PAK Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq
Pakistan:Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Ihsanullah
