Watch! Shadab Khan gets run out at non-striker end as Pakistan pip Afghanistan in tense ODI

Afghanistan endured another heartbreak against Pakistan in the 2^nd ODI played at Hambantota. The Afghan side saw Pakistan scrape to a close win with one wicket in hand and a ball to spare. This defeat for the Shahidi-led side will be a bitter pill to swallow with the 2023 Asia Cup just around the corner.

Twin fifties from opening batter Imam Ul Haq and skipper Babar Azam propelled Pakistan early in the chase of 301. It was Shadab Khan who bought the men-in-green back into the contest with the bat. The leg-spinner scored an impressive 35-ball 48 runs to help his side dig themselves out of trouble. The knock was the difference between the two teams as Pakistan won a close game.

Farooqi’s game awareness sends back Shadab Khan –

Pakistan needed 11 runs off the final over with Farooqi bowling to Naseem Shah. Just as the Afghan bowler was about to deliver the first ball tragedy struck. In a bid to steal a quick run, Shadab Khan backed up too far.

Farooqi was mindful of this and whipped off the bails in the non-striker’s end. Shadab Khan did not wait for the umpire’s signal as he returned to the pavilion. Afghanistan celebrated the wicket as Shadab Khan looked like he was taking the game away with the bat.

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Courtesy Farooqi's 𝔾𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝔸𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤.#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/Vh2q4E46QV

— FanCode (@FanCode) August 24, 2023

Shadab Khan turns savior with the bat –

24-year-old Shadab Khan had a mediocre outing with the ball as he went for 53 runs from 10 wicket-less overs. With the bat, Shadab Khan struck 48 runs with the help of 3 fours and a six. Those runs were crucial as at one stage it looked as if Afghanistan were back into the contest. Shadab added 47 crucial runs with Iftikhar Ahmed to bring Pakistan back into the contest.

Gurbaz ton goes in vain –

Earlier batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan posted 300 on the board from their 50 overs. The star with the bat was youngster Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The right-handed batter scored 151 runs in a run-a-ball effort. This was his 5^th century in ODI cricket and his career-best score. Despite the 227-run opening stand with Ibrahim Zadran, the Afghanistan middle order capitulated. The Pakistani bowlers kept a tight leash to restrict the Afghans to an even 300.