2:37 PM IST, 5:07 PM Local Time: Afghanistan beat Pakistan for the third time in T-20 internationals going over the line and ensuring a medal in the cricket competition for the Asian Games 2022.
In a thrilling encounter, Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bowl first restricting Pakistan to just 115 in 18 overs. Fareed Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers with 3/15, Qais Ahmad (2/11), Zahir Khan (2/20), Karim Janat (1/12) and Gulbadin Naib (1/29) were the other wicket takers as Afghanistan bundled out Pak for the first time in T20Is.
The start wasn't as good as needed for the Afghan batters as they lost their openers inside the first 5 overs for 35 runs. Noor Ali Zadran scored 39 in 33 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes but was dismissed looking to find his third six.
The spinners dominated in the second innings as well, Arafat Minhas (2/11) and Usman Qadir (2/20) were well supported by Sufiyan Muqeem (1/18) but there were not enough runs on the board to play with.
Losing 6 wickets for 84 in the 15th over, Naib then played out the spinners cautiously and afterwards made full use of the pace on offer to hammer three sixes and the inevitable boundary to take his team over the line sealing the spot in the finals against India after winning the game by 4 wickets and 13 deliveries to spare.