Asia Cup 2018: Afghanistan Have Won More Than Hearts: Virender Sehwag

Former India batsman Virender Sehwag called the thrilling tied game between India and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup ‘an unbelievable match’.

A stunning century from Mohammad Shahzad, a quick fifty from Mohammad Nabi, a solid start by India, a stutter in the middle and then Rashid Khan’s heroic last over – the game had everything. Neither of the two teams deserved to lose. And in the end the game ended in a thrilling tie.

Batting first, Afghanistan scored 252 for 8, courtesy Mohammad Shahzad’s magnificent 116-ball 124 and a quick 64 from Mohammad Nabi.

Afghanistan were losing wickets from one end at regular intervals but Shahzad held firm from the other. He reached his fifty off just 37 deliveries before completing his fifth ODI century and first against India. Towards the end, Nabi played a quickfire knock to provide the finishing touches.

In reply, the Men in Blue were off to a solid start with Rahul (60) and Ambati Rayudu (57) adding 110 runs for the first wicket. Dinesh Karthik scored 44 from No.3 as India looked set to chase down the total with ease. However, India kept on losing wickets at regular intervals from thereon and were bowled out for 252 off the penultimate ball of the game.

India needed 7 off the last over. Ravindra Jadeja hit a boundary off the second delivery of the over to further spice up the contest. The equation was finally down to 1 off two balls with Jadeja on strike.  Rashid bowled a short ball and Jadeja mistimed the shot, hitting it straight into the hands of the only fielder in the deep.

Blown away by the thrilling game, Virender Sehwag then took to Twitter to call it unbelievable and a tie  to remember.

“Wow ! That was an unbelievable match. A tie to remember. Afghanistan have won more than hearts. A proud moment in their Cricketing history,” he wrote.

Wow ! That was an unbelievable match. A tie to remember. Afghanistan have won more than hearts. A proud moment in their Cricketing history #AsiaCup2018

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 25, 2018