Pakistan find new hero in Asif Ali
Middle-order batter hit 25 off just seven balls against Afghanistan
Pakistan has found a match winner batter in the form of Asif Ali after he hit 25 off just seven balls leading the green shirts to third consecutive win against Afghanistan at the Dubai International Stadium.
Pakistan were needed 24 off 12 balls chasing 148 runs target when Asif Ali hit four sixes in the penultimate over emerging as the hero for the country for the second straight game of T20 world Cup.
He hit two of the first three balls of the 19th over bowled by Afghanistan’s Karim Janat for sixes before depositing the final two balls into the stands as well, killing the run chase singlehandedly and prematurely.
Asif finished with 25 off just seven balls with four sixes and a single, leaving Janat and all the other Afghan players frustrated.
Earlier on Tuesday, Asif Ali led Pakistan to victory against New Zealand under the similar conditions.
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The win gave Pakistan a third win in as many games in Group 2 of the Super 12 stages, almost assuring a semi-final place, needing just one more win from their last two games.
Afghanistan had scored a fighting 147-6 in their 20 overs with Gulbadin Naib and skipper Mohammad Nabi scoring 35 each.
Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Pakistan team on win against Afghanistan on his Twitter account.
Congratulations Team Pakistan. Impressive cricket by Team Afghanistan. Never have I seen a cricketing nation rise as rapidly as Afghanistan in international cricket & become so competitive. With this competitive spirit & talent the future of cricket is bright in Afghanistan.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 29, 2021
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz wrote on Twitter:” Wow! Muhammad Asif! what an innings!”
Wow! Muhammad Asif!! What an exhibition of power hitting!! What an innings!
Thank you for another glorious victory Team Pakistan 💚🇵🇰
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 29, 2021
PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja took to Twitter and said: “Incredible hitting under pressure. Congrats boys keep up the good work.”
#asifyoubeauty incredible hitting under pressure. Sensational 👏👏Congrats boys keep up the good work. #PakistanZindabad
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) October 29, 2021
English batter Ben Strokes also showered praise on Asif Ali for his heroics against Afghanistan.
Remember the name @AasifAli2018
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 29, 2021
SAPM on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill took to Twitter and said: “Pakistan will win all the matches. Asif Ali you made us happy.”
انشاللہ پاکستان تمام میچ جیتے گا!
آصف علی آپ نے دل خوش کر دیا۔پوری قوم کو مبارکباد۔
افغانستان ٹیم نے بھی اچھا میچ کھیلا ہے۔— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) October 29, 2021
“Congratulations! What a way to finish match with 4 sixes. Well played Asif Ali in pressure,” Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Farrukh Habib wrote in his Twitter message.
Congratulations!
What a way to finish match with 4 sixes. Well played Asif in pressure. #AFGvPAK— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) October 29, 2021
Renowned singer Ali Zafar said:” Asif Ali what was that? Boss man!”
Asif Aliiiiiiiiiiiiii ! Ye Kya thaaaaa?! Boss man ! #PakvsAfg #AsifAli
Pakistan 3 wins out of 3 ! Kamaal! Unbeatable! Team 🇵🇰! Feeling so so proud @babarazam258 @realshoaibmalik great knock.
All Boyzes! 🙌
Professionalism ki height! #cricket #T20WorldCup
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 29, 2021
