Pakistan bounce back, deny Afghanistan a whitewash

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan have routed Afghanistan in their third and last Twenty20 by 66 runs, frustrating the hosts’ quest for a whitewash.

Reeling from two morale-busting losses, Pakistan bounced back in the final game at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday night.

Skipper Shadab Khan powered the visitors to a convincing win. Asked to bat first, Pakistan set Afghanistan a 183 target and then bundled out the opposition to 116 in 18.4 overs.

AFP reported that opener Saim Ayub top-scored for Pakistan with 49 including two sixes and four boundaries. Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in with a breezy 25-ball 31, including two sixes.

Shadab (28) and Abdullah Shafique (23) were the other main run-scorers. Shadab later emerged the seventh bowler to complete 100 T20I wickets in his 87th match, bagging 3-13.

Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, claiming two scalps for 28. Uncharacteristically, Rashid was easily hit by Saim Ayub.

When Afghanistan launched the run chase, young fast bowler Ihsanullah ousted Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) and Karim Janat (zero).

Then a nasty bouncer from him hit Najibullah Zadran in the chin. As the batter could not resume his innings, Azmatullah Omarzai came to the crease and top-scored with 21, hitting a six and two boundaries.

Mohammad Nabi chipped in with 17, captain Rashid Khan 16 and Usman Ghani 15. Shadab captured his 100th T20I wicket when he dismissed Ghani.

In an aggressive four-over spell, Ihsanullah finished with 3-29, giving opposition batters a tough time.

On a record-setting note, Afghanistan had won the first two outings and the series at that. The overnight outcome was a consolation success for the tourists.

PAN Monitor/mud