Highlights, Pakistan vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup 2021: Pakistan win by 5 wickets

23:25 (IST)

That's it from us here. Hope you enjoyed a cracker of a match. Until next time, goodbye and take care.

23:22 (IST)

Asif Ali has hit 7 sixes off 19 balls in this tournament and won Pakistan two thrillers. So good for a bloke who had been labelled as parchi, non-international material, mentally weak and what not from ugly trolls on social media.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 29, 2021

23:22 (IST)

Asif Ali has hit 7 sixes off 19 balls in this tournament and won Pakistan two thrillers. So good for a bloke who had been labelled as parchi, non-international material, mentally weak and what not from ugly trolls on social media.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 29, 2021

23:22 (IST)

That 19th over perfectly encapsulated why the yorker is overrated. Five attempted yorkers, two executed yorkers, three missed yorkers, three sixes. Janat's yorker success percentage of 40% in that over would make him the best yorker bowler in T20 history. #T20WorldCup

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) October 29, 2021

23:19 (IST)

The #T20WorldCup desperately needed a day like this with two really tight finishes and the raw energy of the #Afghanistan v #Pakistan match to give the whole thing a lift. Feels like the tournament has finally got going.

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) October 29, 2021

23:15 (IST)

Asif Ali is the best finisher in the game congratulations ???? Pakistan . What a performance. #ICCT20WorldCup2021 #AsifAli #PakvsAfghanistan

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) October 29, 2021

23:09 (IST)

Asif Ali is named the Player of the Match

23:06 (IST)

ASIF ALI WINS IT IN STYLE for Pakistan! 

Hammers another couple of sixes. One straight down the ground and the other over extra cover. 4 sixes in the over to win it for Pakistan. They needed 24 off 12, Ali finished it with four sixes in the penultimate over. What hitting!

23:02 (IST)

SIXES! Asif Ali hammers it over long off and then plunders it over deep mid-wicket, off Janat. 12 needed off 9.

23:00 (IST)

After 18 overs,Pakistan 124/5 ( Asif Ali 1 , Shadab Khan 0)

An eventful couple of overs. And it's going down the wire.

Pakistan lost Babar Azam but they managed to get 12 runs off the Rashid Khan over. Malik hammered a six over wide long on. 

Naveen then bowls a terrific over under pressure. He nearly had Malik as he dropped a tough caught and bowled chance. But had his man a ball later as he had Malik caught behind. He bowled a great mix of fast and slow deliveries to give away just 2 runs in the over. 24 needed off 12 now.

22:58 (IST)

OUT! Naveen has Malik caught behind. It's a fast and full delivery outside off, Malik chases and gets an outside edge. 24 needed off 14

22:55 (IST)

Dropped! A very tough chance. Malik smashes it straight back, Naveen sticks his hand out but doesn't manage to hold on.

22:53 (IST)

DROPPED and OUT! Naveen drops Babar at backward point. Babar looks to heave but is done in by the leg spinner, gets an outside edge to backward point where Naveen doesn' t manage to hold on to it.

OUT! Rashid has his man. Cleans up Babar. A ball later, Rashid bowls a googly, Babar goes for a wild swing but misses it completely. He misses, Rashid hits the bulls eye.

26 needed off 18.

22:48 (IST)

SIX! Malik smashes it over wide long on, off Rashid.

32 needed off 22

22:45 (IST)

After 16 overs,Pakistan 110/3 ( Babar Azam (C) 50 , Shoaib Malik 9)

Another decent couple of overs for Afghanistan!

A successful over from Rashid. He got the wicket of Hafeez in that over. But he didn't quite get his lengths right. Bowled a couple of short ones which went for just singles, luckily for him. He gave away just four runs in that over.

Naveen bowls four good balls, gives away four singles. One of which brings up Babar Azam's FIFTY! But then, off the next ball, he darts it in short, Malik slashes it wide of third man for a much-needed FOUR. He slashes at the next ball as well but gets an outside edge to third man for just a single. 9 runs off the Naveen over. 13 off the last 2. Pakistan need 38 off 24 balls.

22:43 (IST)

FIFTY for Babar Azam, he gets it off 45 balls. But he needs to press the accelerator now!

22:40 (IST)

Rashid Khan just waltzing in with 1-14 off three overs. One to come. It'll decide the game and what a glorious game it's been - T20, you are a beautiful thing

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) October 29, 2021

22:36 (IST)

OUT! Rashid Khan becomes the quickest man to reach 100 T20I wickets. Hafeez holes out to long on. It's a touch full outside off, Hafeez looks to go downtown, doesn't connect it off the middle and helps it straight into the hands of the long on fielder, Naib.

22:34 (IST)

After 14 overs,Pakistan 97/2 ( Babar Azam (C) 46 , Mohammad Hafeez 10)

Pakistan chipping away in the last couple of overs, 16 off them.

Rashid bowls another brilliant over. There is a stifled appeal for an LBW against Babar which is turned down as it was heading down leg. Babar looked to heave one but mistimed it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. Rashid then induced an outside edge off a quick leg spinner which flew wide of the first slip for a streaky FOUR! The last one is a dot. 8 runs off the Rashid over.

Nabi then gives a single off the first ball but then oversteps and bowls a NO BALL off the next, off which they take a single. Hafeez then holes out in the deep off the FREE HIT ball and they take a single. Babar looks to go downtown charging down the track but mistimes it for two straight down the ground. The next one is a DOT. Nabi then drops it short, Azam cuts it to deep point for a couple. The last one is a DOT. 8 runs off the Nabi over.

22:25 (IST)

After 12 overs,Pakistan 81/2 ( Babar Azam (C) 36 , Mohammad Hafeez 6)

A good couple of overs for Afghanistan!

Rashid Khan starts off with a brilliant over where he at first beats Zaman with a googly and nearly has Babar's wicket but the batter reviews successfully and survives. He gives away just 3 runs.

Nabi then strikes first ball in the next over as he traps Zaman LBW. After dot and a two, Nabi is unlucky as Hafeez gets an outside edge and it runs away to the third man fence for a streaky FOUR. He ends with a dot again. 6 off the over.

22:22 (IST)

OUT! Zaman goes for a slog sweep and misses, off Nabi. The umpire lifts the finger on the LBW appeal. He too opts for a review and replays show it was hitting leg. 3 REDS.

22:20 (IST)

NOT OUT! Brilliant review from Babar! It's a googly which beats Babar's defense. They all go up in an appeal for an LBW, the umpire lifts his finger. Babar opts for a review and replays show it was missing leg.

22:18 (IST)

Rashid Khan into the attack...

22:11 (IST)

We haven't seen Rashid Khan yet!

22:10 (IST)

After 10 overs,Pakistan 72/1 ( Babar Azam (C) 35 , Fakhar Zaman 28)

Pakistan upping the ante

Babar Azam finally releases the pressure valve as he hits a couple of fours off Naveen-ul-Haq. They take three more singles and a two to make it 13 off the over. 

Naveen then gives away four singles off the first two balls but then gives away 6 off the last two. A couple is followed by an upper cut for FOUR by Babar Azam.

22:03 (IST)

FOURS! Babar releases the pressure valve as he thumps one over point and guides one to third man for two fours in Naveen's over.

22:02 (IST)

Mohammad Rizwan's last two scores:

33 v NZ
8 v Afg

It's the first time in 18 innings and since December 2020 that he's gone two consecutive T20I knocks without making a half-century.#T20WorldCup #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/hCchQiLs7c

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 29, 2021

22:00 (IST)

After 8 overs,Pakistan 49/1 ( Babar Azam (C) 15 , Fakhar Zaman 25)

The boundaries have dried up. The last one was hit in the 6th over.

Mujeeb bowls another very good over. That control and accuracy is immaculate as he gives away 6 runs and finishes with figures of 4-0-14-1. 

Karim Janat is brought into the attack, he too varies his pace well, Babar Azam looks to up a bit of aggression but doesn't connect a couple off the middle. Zaman also look to charge down the track off the last ball of the over but doesn't connect his flick. Just 5 runs off the Janat over.

21:51 (IST)

Babar Azam completes 1000 runs in 26 innings as captain in T20Is. The quickest to this milestone breaking Virat Kohli's record (30 inns). #T20WorldCup

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 29, 2021

21:50 (IST)

After 6 overs,Pakistan 38/1 ( Babar Azam (C) 10 , Fakhar Zaman 20)

A decent Powerplay for Afghanistan, Pakistan - 38/1

Mujeeb again pulls things back with his discipline, bowls them quicker and gives away just two singles. 

Naveen-ul-Haq is brought into the attack, he gives away just two singles off the first three balls but then drifts one on Zaman's pads who flicks it away wide of short fine leg for a FOUR. He bounces back well to concede just 2 singles off the last two balls. 7 runs off the over. 

21:46 (IST)

How much cricket currently means to Afghanistan cannot be understated

And watching the team fight as hard as they can during this World Cup is just incredibly special

Sports is the best. That’s all

— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) October 29, 2021

21:42 (IST)

After 4 overs,Pakistan 29/1 ( Babar Azam (C) 8 , Fakhar Zaman 13)

A mixed couple of overs for Afghanistan.

Mujeeb bowls a brilliant over. He gives away just four runs and gets the wicket of Rizwan. He's been accurate with his lines and lengths and has given away just 7 from his 2 overs. Nabi then varies his pace nicely and gives away four singles off four balls. Builds the pressure, Zaman then looks to release the pressure and heaves one, just over the mid-wicket fielder for a four and then charges down and clobbers one into the stands to make it 14 off the over. 

21:41 (IST)

FOUR AND SIX! Zaman takes on Nabi, heaves one just over the mid-wicket fielder for four and then hammers one over the same region for a HUGE SIX.

21:35 (IST)

OUT! Mujeeb strikes. Rizwan is caught at deep square leg. Flighted outside off, Rizwan gets down for a slog sweep, doesn't connect it off the middle and helps it straight into the hands of the fielder at deep square leg.

21:33 (IST)

After 2 overs,Pakistan 11/0 ( Mohammad Rizwan (W) 8 , Babar Azam (C) 3)

A decent start for Afghanistan.

Mujeeb starts off well. He is accurate with his lines and gets some drift as well. The Pakistan openers are cautious and they take just three singles off the over.

Nabi comes on to bowl the next one. There was a heart in mouth moment off the second ball as Azam tucked one to mid-wicket and there is a confusion before they decide to go on with the single. The fielder charges in and misses his direct hit. It would have been close had it hit. it was turning out to be a good over but Rizwan got down off the final ball and swept it over short fine leg for a four. 8 runs off the over.

21:27 (IST)

Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are at the crease. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will start off proceedings.

21:20 (IST)

Extremely creditable from #Afghanistan . They have played without fear.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 29, 2021

21:19 (IST)

Splendid recovery by #Afghanistan . Score of 147 gives their spinners decent score to defend. Pakistan have a task on hand!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 29, 2021

21:16 (IST)

After 20 overs,Afghanistan 147/6 ( Mohammad Nabi (C) 35 , Gulbadin Naib 35)

Afghanistan post 147/6

A very good last over from Shaheen Afridi, bowled that very full length and gave away just 7 runs. He gave away just five runs from first five balls but then delivered a hig full toss which was given a NO BALL. The FREE HIT yielded just a single. A brilliant partnership from Nabi and Naib has helped Afghanistan achieve some respectability after they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

21:10 (IST)

After 19 overs,Afghanistan 140/6 ( Mohammad Nabi (C) 32 , Gulbadin Naib 33)

1 1 4 4 1 4

15 off the penultimate over from Rauf. This is some hitting at the death from Nabi and Naib. After a couple of singles, Nabi goes for a wild swing but gets an outside edge to third man for a streaky four. He then pulls the next ball over mid-wicket for back to back fours. A single follows and then Naib pulls away a slower short delivery wide of short fine leg to make it 15 off the over.

21:10 (IST)

After 19 overs,Afghanistan 140/6 ( Mohammad Nabi (C) 32 , Gulbadin Naib 33)

1 1 4 4 1 4

15 off the penultimate over from Rauf. This is some hitting at the death from Nabi and Naib. After a couple of singles, Nabi goes for a wild swing but gets an outside edge to third man for a streaky four. He then pulls the next ball over mid-wicket for back to back fours. A single follows and then Naib pulls away a slower short delivery wide of short fine leg to make it 15 off the over.

21:07 (IST)

FOURS! Nabi gets an outside edge wide of the keeper for a streaky four as he looks to swing one across the line, off Rauf. He then pulls a short ball over mid-wicket for back to back fours.

21:05 (IST)

After 18 overs,Afghanistan 125/6 ( Mohammad Nabi (C) 22 , Gulbadin Naib 28)

Afghanistan get a crucial BIG over! 6 4 2 2 4 1NB 1 - 21 off the Hasan Ali over.

Haris Rauf bowls a frugal 17th over to concede just three singles. There was a need to release the pressure valve, Naib gets into the act in the next over as he smashes the first ball for a six over deep square leg, whips the next one through mid-wicket for a four. After a couple of twos, Naib smashes one wide of long on for a four. Hasan the over steps and bowls a NO BALL, they run through for a single on that No ball. The last one is thumped down the ground for a single to make it 21 off the over.

20:58 (IST)

SIX and FOUR! Naib heaves it over deep square leg, off Hasan Ali and then whips it through mid-wicket for a four.

20:57 (IST)

Look who's in town!

Once enjoyed playing, now enjoying watching them play ???? pic.twitter.com/bd1CLfzkhD

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 29, 2021

20:55 (IST)

Fun-filled cricket so far. Pakistan all hostile pace, aggression and Afghanistan batters trying to play the big shots at every opportune moment.

— Ayan (@ayan_acharya13) October 29, 2021

20:52 (IST)

After 16 overs,Afghanistan 101/6 ( Mohammad Nabi (C) 20 , Gulbadin Naib 7)

100 up for Afghanistan. 

They hit a couple of fours as well and more importantly, they do not lose a wicket. Nabi again lofts one over extra cover for four off Hasan Ali and then Gulbadin Naib flicks one off his pads wide of short file leg, off Shaheen Afridi for another four in the next over. 7 runs off the Hasan Ali over and 8 off the Shaheen over make it 15 off the last two overs.

20:52 (IST)

After 14 overs,Afghanistan 87/6 ( Mohammad Nabi (C) 14 , Gulbadin Naib 0)

The runs have come off the last two over for Afghanistan but they have lost the wicket of Najibullah as well. 

Najibullah hammers one for a six over deep square leg off Shadab but the leg spinner gets his revenge off the next ball with a lovely googly. 9 runs from the Shadab over.

Nabi then ups the ante in the next over as he hits a couple of fours off Rauf, one off the outside edge and one off the middle, over extra cover. 10 runs off the Rauf over. 

19 runs and a wicket off the last two overs.

20:42 (IST)

FOURS! One off an outside edge and one off the middle, Nabi slashes one outside off, off Rauf, gets an outside edge to thrid man for four. But later in the over, he lofts one over extra cover for the second four in the over.

20:35 (IST)

SIX & OUT! What a reply from Shadab. Najibullah smacks one over deep square leg. Shadab has him caught behind with a googly off the next ball. It's a good length delivery outside off, zips away after landing, Najibullah feels for it and gets an outside edge to the keeper.