Afghanistan’s team is playing great cricket in the Asia Cup. Team was unbeaten at the group stage, when Afghanistan played its first Super four match against Pakistan, the decision of this match went down to last over a nail-biting finish.
Afghanistan gave Pakistan some stiff competition but sensible batting from experienced Shoaib Malik broke Afghan hearts at down the order
Pakistan needed 10 runs to win in the last over and Afghanistan handed over the responsibility of saving the 10 runs to the young bowler Aftab Alam.
Aftab was the most experienced batsman in Pakistan’s team, Shoaib Malik, and he gave all his experience in the last moments, giving Pakistan victory. Before this match, Afghanistan’s team was invincible in the tournament and also favorite in the last over of the match. But an unbeaten 51-run knock from Shoaib Malik with a sense of humor defeated Afghanistan. The Afghanistan team gave Pakistan a target of 258 runs and Pakistan won the match in the last over with 3 balls to go
After the match result, Afghanistan’s team had won the hearts of everyone. But Aftab Alam, who has been finishing the last over, admitted himself to the cause of this defeat and he started crying in the field.
Then, Shoaib Malik, showed great game spirit, Seeing Aftab weeping, Shoaib went to him and encouraged him. When Aftab sat down weeping and frustrated, Shoaib also sat with him and tried to explain him, Perhaps Malik may have been saying that the friend heart does not shorten victory in the match is a part of the game. You played brilliantly and you are deserving of praise even losing.
Spirit of Cricket!#PAKvAFG #AsiaCup2018 #HarSaansMeinBolo pic.twitter.com/KWwf4OVsUW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 21, 2018
Malik’s game spirit is being highly appreciated on social media. Fans have shared the video on twitter
Humanity First ❤️🙏🏻
Shoaib Malik went ahead to sympathise with Aftab Alam, who broke down into tears after conceding consecutive boundaries – a sixer and a four, which cost his team a defeat. #Humanity#Sportsmanship#Pakistani’sHeart❤️ pic.twitter.com/pd4NWmB9yi
— 1 (@BeOrNotToBe1111) September 21, 2018
Shoiab Malik who was adjudged the man of the match for his match-winning knock, in the post-match press conference said, “Being a senior player, the goal was to bat to the 50th over. That was the only thing. At one stage the required rate was 10, but I kept telling myself to play till the last over.”
“Even good bowlers, when they’re bowling at the end, the situation is different. As batsmen we can charge them. Would like to congratulate them. Everyday they’ve been improving. I think they’re a great side,” Malik added.
Pakistan will next take on India in the Super Four clash on Sunday.
