A better batting performance from Pakistan saw them win the third T20I against Afghanistan by 66 runs and avert a 3-0 whitewash. Captain Shadab Khan, who became only the seventh bowler to 100 T20I wickets, led from the front, first scoring a 17-ball 28 and then returning figures of 3 for 13 in a Player-of-the-Match performance.
Sent in to bat, Pakistan were rocked early by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi but opener Saim Ayub’s 49 off 40 kept them afloat. Ayub added 35 runs for the third wicket with Abdullah Shafique and then 45 runs with Iftikhar Ahmed, delivering Pakistan to a steady position before he fell to a brilliant take in the deep from Mujeeb. Post that, a cameo from Shadab featuring five boundaries helped Pakistan eke out 38 runs in the last three overs and go past 180.
Afghanistan lacked steam in their chase and especially so after the departure of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was bowled by Ihsanullah. Strikes from Mohammad Wasim Jr and Shadab reduced them to 39/3 before Mohammad Nabi and Usman Ghani added 32 for the fourth wicket. But from 71/3, Afghanistan slid to 73/7 as Nabi’s run out triggered a collapse. In a difficult period of play, which saw them lose four wickets in the space of nine balls, Najibullah was also hit on the chin by Ihsanullah and had to retire hurt. Afghanistan were bowled out for 116 in 18.4 overs, with Ihsanullah and Shadab sharing six wickets between them.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 182/7 (Ayub 49; Mujeeb 2-28) beat Afghanistan 116 all out in 18.4 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 21; Shadab 3-13) by 66 runs
