AFG vs PAK: "That Was For U" - Naseem Shah Dedicates 1-Wicket Victory Against Afghanistan To Shadab Khan
Published - 25 Aug 2023, 05:12 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 09:42 AM
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Young Pakistani bowler Naseem Shah dedicated the victory in the second one-day international (ODI) of the three-match series to all-rounder Shadab Khan. The Babar Azam-led team registered a narrow 1-wicket victory against Afghanistan in a nail-biting encounter in Hambantota.
Shadab Khan played a match-defining knock, scoring 48 runs off just 35 balls. The all-rounder almost guided the team to victory before being run out at the non-striker end by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the last over. Shadab was named Player of the Match for his brilliant batting performance.
That Was For U – Naseem Shah
Following the victory in the second ODI, Naseem Shah took to Twitter (X) to dedicate the victory to Shadab Khan, his team, and the fans of Pakistan cricket. Shah also lauded Imam-ul-Haq for his 91-run knock.
“That was for u @76Shadabkhan. That was for my team. That was for all the fans of Pakistan cricket. Well played @ImamUlHaq12 bhai. #PakistanZindaba,” wrote the caption.
That was for u @76Shadabkhan. That was for my team. That was for all the fans of Pakistan cricket. Well played @ImamUlHaq12 bhai. #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/Ztlo62BznO
— Naseem Shah (@iNaseemShah) August 24, 2023
Naseem Shah Paid Tribute To His Late Mother
Naseem Shah also paid tribute to his late mother in a video message and shared an animated image on his Instagram story to commemorate the victory.
Felt a punch in my guts pic.twitter.com/8BRI4Y4wgC
— Zak (@Zakr1a) August 25, 2023
Naseem Shah Instagram Story?.#NaseemShah #PAKvAFG #PakvsAfg #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/hUD5Ttmrgf
— Shaharyar Ejaz ? (@SharyOfficial) August 24, 2023
Naseem Shah Hit Winning Runs In Final Over
In the run chase, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman within the power play. However, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam added a crucial 108-run partnership for the second wicket to keep the team in a formidable position. Babar was dismissed for 53 runs when the team’s score was at 170 runs.
The Afghan bowlers brought the team back into the game by picking wickets at regular intervals, restricting the opposition to 211/6. Shadab Khan was run out at the non-striker’s end by Farooqi in the final over. However, Naseem hit a boundary on the penultimate ball to seal the victory.
Resolved Not To Play Such Shots – Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan said that he restricted himself from playing rash shots against quality spin bowling to score runs, which helped the team win the game.
When you’re a senior player, you go through these phases many times, sometimes you fail, sometimes you succeed. They have quality spinners, so wanted to go after the fast bowlers. Was blaming myself for that shot against Zimbabwe in T20 WC. Resolved not to play such shots.
