The Afghans came into the semis when the Lankans were eight runs short in their QFs clash. Pakistan, on the other hand, were hardly tested in their 68-run quarterfinal win against minnows Hong Kong. But in the Semi-final clash between the two teams, the Afghanistan team handled the pressure better and guided by Captain Gulbadin Naib's cameo in the end, stormed into the Finals of the Asia Cup 2023. India is already into the finals after thumping Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first semi-final of the day. Catch all important details and highlights of the PAK vs AFG semi-final match here (Streaming | Scorecard | Full Coverage | Cricket News)
That's all from our side!
Afghanistan will meet India in the final clash for the gold medal and Pakistan will fight Bangladesh for the Bronze medal on 7 October.
- This is very similar to what Asif Ali did to Karim Janat in the T20 World Cup 2021 when he hit Janat for 4 consecutive sixes after PAK needed 24 off 12 in the group-stage match.
2:35 pm: Gulbadin Naib took Afghanistan to the Finals
Aamer Jamal. who bowled two very good overs came to bowl the 18th over. But Gulbadin believed in his power-hitting prowess and did it for Afghanistan. No-ball and slot balls made it dirty for Pakistan.
AFG - 116/6 (17.5)
Afghanistan won the match by 4 wickets
Afghanistan Have done it. Gulbadin did it for them
Gulbadin Naib is making it possible for Afghanistan!!
Thriller Alert!!!
Afghanistan need 13 runs in 15 balls
2:25 pm: Gulbadin Naib needs to play Captain's knock
With a loss of 6 wickets, Afghanistan is struggling for runs in the chase of a low target. Gulbadin Naib is with Sharafuddin Ashraf in the middle. Pakistan bowlers are putting all the effort here.
AFG - 91/6 (16)
Afghanistan needs 61 runs in 66 balls
1:55 pm: Pakistan is in search of wickets
Pakistan have been successful in taking early wickets but still, Noor Ali Zasran and Afsar Zazai on the crease can make things dirty for them. They are desperately searching for wickets here.
AFG - 55/3 (9)
The winner of this semi-final match between Afghanistan and Pakistan will meet India in the Gold-medal match of the Asian Games 2023 at Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field, Hangzhou on October 7, 2023.
1:35 pm: Arafat Minhas gets two wickets in the over
Arafat Minhas changes the scenario of the match with his 2nd over. He first bowled Mohammad Shahzad and then send Shahidullah Kamal back to the pavilion. Afsar Zazai is the new man at the crease with Noor Ali Zadran. Pakistan is in control of the match. Aamer Jamal is targeting the body of Noor Ali.
AFG - 37/3 (6)
1:20 pm: Sediqullah Atal goes cheaply, but AFG is in control
Afghanistan's batting is in control after the early wicket of Sediqulaah Atal. Mohammad Shahzad and Noor Ali have given Afghanistan a good start.
AFG - 35/1 (4)
Afghanistan start the run-chase
Innings Break!!
Afghanistan needs 116 runs in 120 balls
1:00 pm: Pakistan all-out for 115
Pakistan tailenders somehow managed a total of 115 runs after losing wickets in quick succession. Aamer Jamal added a crucial 14 runs at the end.
PAK - 115/10 (18)
12:40 pm: Zahir Khan takes the wicket of Asif Ali
Zahir Khan sent the dangerous-looking Asif Ali back to the pavilion and now Pakistan tailenders are adding runs. Aamer Jamal is the new man in.
PAK - 90/7 (15)
12:35 pm: Khushdil goes, Asif Ali at the crease
Karim Janat bowled Khushdil Shah to send him back to the pavilion. Arafat Minhas joins power-hitter Asif Ali at the crease. With still seven overs left in the game, Asif Ali can change the scenarios of this match. We have seen him playing some aerial shots. As we speak, he hits six off Karim Janat. It refreshes the memory of the T20 World Cup 2020 where Asil Ali hit 4 consecutive sixes off Karim Janat's 19th over.
PAK - 88/7 (14)
12:27 pm: Qasim Akram back to the pavilion
Pakistan's batting line-up is shattering with only Khushdil Shah left who can bat. Captain Qasim Akram also goes without making any big impact. Pakistan struggling for runs. Zahir Khan strikes with his first over.
PAK - 73/5 (12)
12:16 pm: Qais Ahmad strikes again!!
Qais Ahmad starts his second over with the wicket of Haider Ali. Pakistan needed a partnership but wickets kept falling. Captain Qasim needs to play a captain's knock now to save this match for Pakistan. Khushdil Shah joins him at the crease.
61/4 (9.1)
12:10 pm: Omair Yousuf departs!
Omai Yousuf also goes back to the pavilion after trying to go for the big shot. Captain Qasim Akram joins Haider Ali at the crease. Pakistan needs a partnership here.
PAK - 61/3 (9)
12:01 pm: Rohail Nazir goes!
Fareed Ahmad starts his spell by being thrashed for a boundary by Omair but strikes back with the third delivery by sending Rohail Nazir back to the pavilion. Haider Ali is the new man in.
PAK - 51/2 (7)
11:55 am: Pakistan going well despite wicket loss
After losing Mirza Baig's wicket in a horrible run-out, Pakistan's new batter Rohail Nazir is giving good support to the opener Omai Yousuf. They have started the counter-attack on Sharafuddin and Naib. Afghanistan is in search of wickets now.
PAK - 49/1 (6.2)
11:40 am: Two byes 4 off the over!!
Sharafuddin Ashraf bowled a good over but Keeper Mohammad Shahzad was not alert behind the wickets. Big over for Pakistan.
PAK - 19/0 (2)
11:30 am: Pakistan batting starts!
The ball is in veteran Gulabadin Naib's hands and for Pakistan, it is Mirza Tahir Baig and Omair Yousuf at the crease. Naib gave three wides in the first over but still did not give any chance to the Pakistani batters to open their arms. 3 wides and 1 single of the over.
PAK - 4/0 (1)
11:10 am: Line-Ups
Pakistan XI: Qasim Akram (c), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Mirza Tahir Baig, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Ahmed Minhas, Sufyan Moqim, Rohail Nazir (wk), Hafiz Usman Qadir, Khushdil Shah, Omair Bin Yousaf
Afghanistan XI: Sharafuddin Ashraf, Sediqullah Atal, Karim Jannat, Shahidullah Kamal, Qais Ahmad Kamawal, Farid Ahmad Malik, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Gulbadin Naib (c), Zahir Khan Pakten, Noor Ali Zadran, Afsar Khan Zazai
11:08 am: Toss Update
Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to bowl first.
10:52 am: Squads
Afghanistan: Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib (c), Zubaid Akbari, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nijat Masood, Mohammad Shahzad, Afsar Zazai, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Sayed Shirzad, Noor Ali Zadran
Pakistan: Qasim Akram (c), Omair Yousuf, Aamer Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Akhlaq, Rohail Nazir, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Qadir.
