A feisty show from Pakistan’s lower-order led them to a thrilling one-wicket win over Afghanistan in the second ODI at Hambantota on Thursday (August 24). With the win, Babar Azam’s men pocketed the three-match series with a game to spare.

In a game of dramatic ebbs and flows, 11 were needed off the final over with two wickets in hand. A well-set Shadab Khan was at the crease, albeit off strike, with Naseem Shah for company at the other end. Drama started instantly as Shadab was run out at the non-striker’s end for backing up too far. With the game in balance, Fazalhaq Farooqi ran out the Pakistan all-rounder in what seemed like a predetermined dismissal from the pacer. However, just like the Asia Cup T20 tournament last year, Naseem held his nerve and found the fence twice and got some help from Haris Rauf to see Pakistan over the line with a ball to spare.

The chase never seemed destined to get this close after the century stand between Babar and Imam-ul-Haq. The duo put Pakistan in cruise control after Fakhar Zaman had fallen in the first PowerPlay. Afghanistan felt the pressure and at 170/1, the game was Pakistan’s to lose and they nearly did. Babar fell to a Farooqi slower ball and within no time, there was an implosion that saw the score reading 211/6. The older ball was tougher to score and with no dew, Afghanistan’s spin trio put in the squeeze. The mini-collapse put Afghanistan in front and when a scratchy Ifthikar Ahmed innings was cut short, the writing was on the wall for Pakistan. To his credit, Shadab kept his composure under severe pressure and took the game deep before losing his wicket.

Afghanistan suffered due to Abdul Rahman’s inexperience as the pacer leaked runs at the death. Pakistan’s batters cleverly targeted the rookie and it paid off for them, particularly in the penultimate over of the chase. Earlier on, Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s majestic 151 and his double-century opening stand with Ibrahim Zadran is what got Afghanistan to a strong total. Once the duo fell, Pakistan did pull things back and in the end, ensured that Afghanistan finished with around 20-25 runs fewer than they’d have liked. Their 300 was still was a competitive total and once again, Afghanistan failed to hold their nerve against Pakistan in a close finish.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 300/5 in 50 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 151, Ibrahim Zadran 80; Shaheen Afridi 2-58) lost to Pakistan 302/9 in 49.5 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 91, Babar Azam 53; Fazalhaq Farooqi 3-69) by 1 wicket