PAK beat AFG by 3 wickets | Afghanistan vs Pakistan, Highlights And Cricket Score Super Four - 2 ODI Match

So that is it from this game! Pakistan have come out victorious by just though. Also, India have toppled Bangladesh quite comfortably in the other one. The Super Four stage however continues as we have mouth-watering contests on Sunday. Afghanistan will be taking on Bangladesh whereas India will lock horns with Pakistan. Both will begin at 1530 Local (1130 GMT). Till then, goodbye and take care.

Man of the Match, Shoaib Malik says, being a senior player, he knows that when they are chasing such a target and moreover, after a good partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-Ul-Haq, his job mainly was to stay at the crease till the end. Also feels that he was confident that if they go till the end then they will win as they have some hard hitting batsmen lower down who can hit the big shots. States that bowlers are generally confident bowling in the middle overs and are in a lookout to take wickets. But feels that during the final stages of an innings or a match, the bowlers are nervous of going for runs and are not as dangerous as they are in the middle overs and hence he wanted to stay till the end. Ends by saying that Afghanistan have three of the best spinners in the world world class spinners and they are a formidable team.

Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed, thanks the almighty first. Adds further that they were nervous after losing Fakhar Zaman early but credits the partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-Ul-Haq and also feels that Shoiab Malik's innings at the end was special. Admits that Afghanistan batted very sensibly and managed to set up a good target. Feels that Afghanistan have three of the world's best spinners. Feels that any target above 250 on such pitches will be a challenge to chase down and today Pakistan did really well to chase it. Mentions that they had gone in with an extra batsmen as they wanted to strengthen their batting. Applauds Shoaib Malik for his performance and says his experience is very precious for them and feels he played wonderfully today. Informs that he is happy with the win and the team is feeling motivated after today's win. Ends by saying during the past 1.5 yrs their fielding has improved but today they misfielded a lot and also dropped some catches and admits that they have to improve going forward.

Afghanistan captain, Asghar Afghan, thanks the Almighty first. Congratulates the Pakistan team for the victory. Adds further that it was a thrilling game and the crowd must have enjoyed a lot. States that this was the first close game of the tournament, so far. Credits Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq for the way they played after the early departure of Fakhar Zaman. Admits that had Shoaib Malik's catch been taken by Shahzad then the result could have been different. Ends by saying that Pakistan needed around 40 runs off the last 4 overs and they felt that it would be tough to chase it down but Pakistan played really well to get to the target.

Afghanistan started choking the flow of runs and also managed to pick wickets at regular intervals. Rashid Khan once again was the tormentor-in-chief picking up a three-fer. Mujeeb was also excellent throughout his spell. They bowled exceptionally to bring the equation down to 39 in the last 4 overs. Asif Ali and Mohammad Nawaz didn't play big knocks but hit a maximum each to narrow down the runs required. When these two departed, Afghanistan sniffed in a chance to get their first ODI win over Pakistan but that was not meant to be. A vital biggie from Hasan in the penultimate over and Shoaib Malik's calm and composed approach in the final ensured Pakistan got over the line with three balls to spare.

During the chase, Afghanistan pegged Pakistan back early by dismissing Fakhar Zaman for a duck. However, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam joined forces and the two showed great resolve in dealing with the Afghan bowlers, especially their spinners. The pair stitched in a massive 154-run stand and put Pakistan on the front foot. Both got to their half centuries and once they did so, they stepped on the accelerator. When the two were batting, Pakistan looked on course for an easy win but a run out changed the course of the whole game. Post that, Rashid got the better of Babar Azam and Afghanistan found themselves back in the game.

First, it was Afghanistan, who batted and managed to put up a competitive total on the board, courtesy Shahidi's unbeaten 97. He anchored the innings quite diligently and the rest played around him. Along with Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah first stitched a 63-run stand and then, his partnership with skipper, Asghar helped Afghanistan cross the 250-run mark. A total which they were very pleased with at the half-way stage.

WHAT A THRILLER! Humdinger, nail-biter, call it whatever you want to. Feel sorry for the Afghan players, a few of them are down on the ground in tears but you have to credit Shoaib Malik, who showed nerves of steel, took it upon himself by rejecting a single off the very first ball and then finishing it with a maximum and a four. That is what you expect from someone who has so much experience. Brilliant! Don't forget, Shoaib Malik was dropped on 11 by Mohammad Shahzad and it truly cost them the match.

Aftab Alam to Shoaib Malik. FOUR! All over, PAKISTAN WIN BY 3 WICKETS! Malik has done it. Alam delivers it full and on middle, Shoaib gets across the stumps and whips it behind backward square leg for the winning runs. He also brings up his 42nd ODI fifty with that shot! He is a man for the crisis for Pakistan. Sarfraz in the dressing room screams in joy, Hasan is all pumped up. The batsmen hug each other in the middle. Some sad Afghanistan players in tears. Aftab Alam is down on his haunches, he is absolutely gutted and Malik is seen consoling him. Great gesture. Commiseration, Afghanistan. Congratulations, Pakistan. The crowd is going bonkers. Excellent scenes. Let me slip in a cliched line - Cricket is the real winner.

Aftab Alam to Shoaib Malik. SIX! That's colossal! Alam drags his length short and lands it on middle, Malik turns inside the crease and rockets it over square leg for a biggie. This is experience for you. What a player! 4 needed off 4 balls.

Aftab Alam to Shoaib Malik. Well bowled. Too full in length and outside off, Malik drives it straight to covers and sends Hasan back who was eyeing a single.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Ali. Play and a miss! A wrong 'un landing outside off, and spinning back in a touch, Ali attempts for the slog sweep but fails to connect. That wasn't far away from the off pole. 8 runs off Rashid's final over along with a wicket. 10-0-46-3, his figures tonight.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Ali. Flatter and on off, skidding through, Ali tries to cut but misses.

Rashid Khan to Hasan Ali. SIX! Hasan Ali has dismissed it. Wow, what a clean strike. A flighted full ball around off, Ali goes down on one knee and muscles it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Rashid Khan to Mohammad Nawaz. OUT! Boom! Rashid, you superstar! He sends it flat and quicker through the air. It lands around leg and scoots through off the surface. Nawaz tries to power it across the line but misses to find his stumps disturbed. 16 needed off 9 balls.

Rashid Khan to Shoaib Malik. Dances down the track to a full ball and heaves it over mid-wicket. Only a single.

Rashid Khan to Mohammad Nawaz. Quicker one around middle and leg, Nawaz swings and gets it away through square leg for a run.

Aftab Alam to Mohammad Nawaz. Finds the yorker around middle and leg, Nawaz tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the off side and they cross. 11 from the over, 18 more needed off 12 balls.

Aftab Alam to Mohammad Nawaz. SIX! This was on the cards! Alam was getting a bit predictable with his slower ones. As soon as he drops it short, Nawaz attacks it with all his power and sends it packing over wide long on. An 82m hit!

Aftab Alam to Shoaib Malik. Fine yorker, hitting the blockhole, no room for the batsman to free his arms. Malik digs it out at the last moment. It hits him on the pads before deflecting on the off side and they steal a single.

Aftab Alam to Shoaib Malik. Too full in length and outside off, Malik drives it to deep cover and takes a brace.