Pakistan move into the four with win over Afghanistan

Wahab Riaz celebrates a wick with Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan.

For the second consecutive match, Afghanistan have almost pulled off an unlikely upset this time against Pakistan who were fighting for their survival in the competition. Eventually, however, they would go down by 3 wickets, but not before pushing Pakistan into the 100th over of the match. Earlier in the day captain Gulbadin Naib would win the toss and elect to bat, and he raced to 15 off just 12 balls when he was dismissed in the 5th over. Hashmatullah Shahid would follow him very next ball with Shaheen Shah Afridi leaking 14 runs but taking 2 wickets in his first over.

That would bring 18 year old Akram Alikhil to the crease who along with Rahmat Shah would push Afghanistan along at around five and a half an over. Rahmat's wicket at the hands of Imad Wasim would bring Asghar Afghan to the crease, who would joint top score with 42 off just 35 balls as the score ticked to 4 for 121 at his dismissal. Najibullah Zadran would also score 42 for Afghanistan, and Rashid Khan, would both be dismissed by Shaheen in his second spell as he would finish with four wickets for the match, however it would not be enough to bowl Afghanistan out, as they finished with 227. Afghanistan started perfectly, removing Fakhar Zaman second ball off the bowling of Mujeeb Ur Raham, who would also waste a review in trying to overturn his LBW decision. Babar Azam (45) and Imam-ul-Haq (36) would combine for a 72 run stand. Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail would contribute a small score each, but with their wickets saw Pakistan in a precarious position of 5 for 142 off 35 overs. The runout of skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for 18 saw Pakistan fall even further into trouble, with just 11 overs and 4 wickets remaining and 72 runs still to get, Afghanistan were pushing for an unlikely victory. Captain Gulbadin Naib would bring himself back into the attack, and Imad Wasim would slay 18 runs off his over, in what would change the course of the match. Wahab Riaz finished with a flurry, 15 off 9, but it was Imad Wasim who saw the Pakistanis home in the final over, finishing with 49 not out off just 54 balls. With their win, Pakistan now move into fourth on the table, though England will be trying to leapfrog them with a win over India tonight.

THE STAR

Imad Wasim and Wahab Riaz embrace after seeing Pakistan over the line.

Imad Wasim was the star in this one for Pakistan. Opening the bowling, he picked up 2 for 48 off his 10 overs, before guiding his side home with 49 not out off 54 deliveries. If Pakistan are going to challenge for the trophy, it is pleasing for them to know that their middle and lower order and contribute valuable runs when their side desperately needs it.

THE MOMENT

Gulbadin Naib had no answers to Imad Wasim.

With Pakistan needing 46 runs off 30 balls, skipper Gulbadin Naib would trust himself to finish the job off. Unfortunately for him, Imad Wasim was up to the task, hitting three boundaries and taking 18 runs off the 46th over to completly change the course of the match. Guldabin would spell himself before bringing himself back on for the last over, leaking 8 runs when they only had 5 to play with.

THE FAILURE

A pitch invader is tackled by security as players are escorted off the field.

In another fantastic match that went down to the wire, it would be hard to single out a failure. Instead, we turn our attention to the crowd. Disgraceful behaviour by both sets of fans saw fights in the crowd, outside the stadium, flares let off and fans storm the pitch at the end of the match. If Pakistan and Afghanistan ever want to host International cricket again, they will need to turn this aspect of their fans around.

WHAT NEXT - Pakistan take on Bangladesh next in what could be a play-off for the fourth spot, whilst Afghanistan finish with the West Indies at Headingley. TONIGHT - England will be desperate for an upset win over India to keep their semi-final hopes firmly alive.