Pakistan survived a mighty scare to continue their surge towards the Cricket World Cup semi-finals with Imad Wasim (49*) keeping his cool to guide them to a tense three-wicket win over Afghanistan at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday. Once again, Afghanistan came close to causing an upset but were denied by Imad, who emerged an unlikely batting hero along with Wahab Riaz (15 off 9), who hit a timely six off Rashid Khan to release the pressure. Earlier, pacer Shaheen Afridi's four-wicket haul helped Pakistan limit Gulbadin Naib’s side to 227/9. Get highlights of Pakistan vs Afghanistan here (SCORECARD | POINTS TABLE | FULL SCHEDULE) (AUS vs NZ - AS IT HAPPENED)
22:49 hrs IST: That's it. Thank you for joining us!
Imad Wasim, Player of the Match: "When I went in, Rashid Khan was bowling brilliantly. I couldn't pick him to be honest. But we knew that if we play 50 overs, we'll win. Gulbadin was the only bowler to be targeted, the wicket was turning square. If you take risks against them you can lose your wicket. Thank you very much to the crowd, it feels like home here. This is for the crowd. If we win the next game, you never know what happens. This win gives us confidence as well."
22:24 hrs IST: FOUR! That's it. Pakistan win by three wickets. They are alive in the World Cup 2019. Pakistan are now in fourth place on the points table, a point ahead of England.
22:18 hrs IST: SIX! Wahab gets down on one knee and creams it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Pakistan are 222/7 after 49 overs, need 6 off 6. Naib to bowl the final six balls.
22:14 hrs IST: High quality over from Mujeeb, only two off it. He ends with 2/34. Pakistan are 212/7 after 48 overs, need 16 off 12.
22:10 hrs IST: FOUR! Fuller delivery from Rashid and Riaz hits it through cover. First boundary for him. He's playing a fractured finger (in his right hand). Pakistan are 210/7 after 47 overs, need 18 off 18. Shadab was run out for 11(17). Mujeeb to bowl his final over.
22:06 hrs IST: Eighteen runs off Naib's over. Three boundaries from Imad. Will this be the game's turning point. Pakistan are 200/6 after 46 overs, need 28 off 24. Rashid Khan now
21:58 hrs IST: Exceptional over from Shinwari, just two runs off it. Pakistan are 182/6 after 45 overs, need 46 off 30. Gulbadin Naib comes back into the attack.
21:54 hrs IST: Still no boundary. This is stupendous from Afghanistan spinners. Pakistan are 180/6, need 48 off 36. Imad 22*, Shadab 5*
21:50 hrs IST: Another great over from Mujeeb, only five off it. Pakistan are 174/6, need 54 off 42. Imad 18*, Shadab 4*
21:45 hrs IST: FOUR! Juicy full toss from Naib and Imad hits it past the fielder at mid-off. Much-needed boundary for Pakistan, who are 169/6 after 42 overs. They need 59 off 48. Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back into the attack.
21:42 hrs IST: Outstanding over from Shinwari, four off it. Pakistan are 161/6 after 41 overs, need 67 off 54.
21:36 hrs IST: WICKET! Sarfaraz looking for that second run but it was never there. This is poor cricket from Pakistan. They are throwing this away. Shadab Khan comes to the crease. Pakistan are 157/6 after 40 overs, need 71 off 60.
21:30 hrs IST: FOUR! Slower delivery from Naib, Sarfaraz pulls it behind square. The fielder at deep mid-wicket has no chance. Pakistan are 154/5 after 38 overs, need 74 off 72. Sarfaraz 17*, Imad 3*. Time for drinks!
21:25 hrs IST: Only four runs off the last 12 deliveries. Pakistan are 146/5 after 37 overs. Sarfaraz 11*, Imad 1*. Gulbadin Naib comes back into the attack.
21:18 hrs IST: OUT! Sohail beaten going onto the back foot and given LBW. Just the wicket Afghanistan would've been looking for. First scalp for Rashid. Imad Wasim comes to the crease. Pakistan are 142/5 after 35 overs.
21:13 hrs IST: Nabi finishes his ninth. Five off it. Pakistan are 140/4 after 34 overs. Sohail 27*, Sarfaraz 9*
21:07 hrs IST: A wicket and 19 runs off the last five overs. Pakistan are 132/4 after 32 overs. Sohail 23*, Sarfaraz 5*
21:00 hrs IST: OUT! Hafeez throws away another start. Shahidi takes an easy catch at point. Second wicket for Mujeeb. Sarfaraz Ahmed comes to the crease. Pakistan are 124/4 after 30 overs.
20:54 hrs IST: FOUR! Length delivery from Naib, outside off, Sohails hits it to the point boundary. Pakistan are 118/3 after 28 overs. Hafeez 17*, Sohail 17*
20:48 hrs IST: FOUR! Too short from Shinwari and Sohail drives through extra cover for a boundary. Fourteen off the last two overs. Pakistan are 113/3 after 27 overs. Hafeez 17*, Sohail 13*
20:41 hrs IST: FOUR! Short delivery from Shinwari, Hafeez goes back and pulls in the gap over mid-wicket. Pakistan are 103/3 after 25 overs. Hafeez 15*, Sohail 6*
20:34 hrs IST: The time is now for Afghanistan spinners to put pressure on Pakistan batsmen and given Pakistan's poor chasing record, Afghanistan should fancy their chances here. Pakistan are 94/3 after 23 overs. Hafeez 8*, Sohail 4*
20:26 hrs IST: Five off the last two overs. Pakistan are 87/3 after 20 overs. Hafeez 3*, Sohail 2*
20:19 hrs IST: Splendid over from Nabi, a wicket and just one run. Pakistan are 82/3 after 18 overs. Sohail 1*, Hafeez 0*
20:15 hrs IST: OUT! Massive blow to Pakistan. Azam falls for 45(51) - bowled around his legs. Goes for the sweep but the ball doesn't turn much and it clips his leg stump. Nabi on fire! Haris Sohail comes to the crease. Drinks are on the field now.
20:09 hrs IST: OUT! Imam charges down the track but is beaten in the air and the away turn. Ikram dislodges the bails quickly. First wicket for Nabi. Mohammad Hafeez comes to the crease. Pakistan are 72/2 after 16 overs.
20:05 hrs IST: FOUR! Too short from Rashid, Azam transfers his weight back and pulls it to wide long-on boundary. Seven off the over. Pakistan are 71/1 after 15 overs. Imam 36*, Azam 35*
20:02 hrs IST: Rashid Khan comes into the attack for the first time. Can he strike?
19:57 hrs IST: Six off Naib's fourth. Pakistan are 60/1 after 13 overs. Imam 33*, Azam 27*
If Pakistan finish with nine points, they can still qualify if -
--> England lose both their remaining matches
--> Sri Lanka lose at least one
--> Bangladesh lose at least one and finish with a lower NRR than Pakistan
19:46 hrs IST: Twenty-one runs off the last 30 deliveries. Pakistan are 49/1 after 10 overs. Imam 26*, Azam 23*
19:42 hrs IST: Another quality from Mujeeb, three off it. Pakistan are 45/1 after 9 overs. Imam 23*, Azam 22*
19:39 hrs IST: Expensive over from Naib, 10 off it. Pakistan are 42/1 after 8 overs. Imam 22*, Azam 20*. Both batsmen are looking comfortable now. One big partnership for Pakistan and game over! Afghanistan, on the other hand, need wickets at quick intervals.
19:32 hrs IST: Nice and tidy over from Naib, only two runs off it. Pakistan are 32/1 after 6 overs. Azam 20*, Imam 12*
19:28 hrs IST: Just four singles off Mujeeb's third. Pakistan are 30/1 after 5 overs. Azam 19*, Imam 11*. First change in bowling. Gulbadin Naib comes into the attack.
19:25 hrs IST: Couple of boundaries for Azam. Moves into double figures. Hassan shows sign of discomfort. He's clutching his hamstring. Not looking good. Pakistan are 26/1 after 4 overs. Azam 17*, Imam 9*
19:21 hrs IST: FOUR! Poor delivery from Mujeeb. Too short and Imam just helps it past the fielder at short fine leg. Pakistan are 17/1 after 3 overs. Imam 9*, Azam 8*. Hassan to continue.
19:18 hrs IST: FOUR! Too short from Hassan, Imam pulls it in front of square on the leg-side for his first boundary of the day. Pakistan are 10/1 after 2 overs. Azam 6*, Imam 4*
19:13 hrs IST: OUT! Mujeeb strikes second ball! Zaman given LBW but the batsman goes up to review. UltraEdge shows there was no bat. Dream start for Afghanistan. Babar Azam, who hit a century against New Zealand, comes to the crease. Pakistan are 6/1 after the first over. Hamid Hassan comes into the attack.
19:08 hrs IST: Time for live action. Fakhar Zaman to take strike. Mujeeb Ur Rahman to open the attack.
18:39 hrs IST: That's it. Afghanistan finish on 227/9. Get a feeling they are around 10-15 runs short. We'll be back in a while with Pakistan's chase.
18:32 hrs IST: OUT! Wahab gets the better of Hassan with a yorker. Mujeeb comes to the crease. Afghanistan are 221/9 after 49 overs.
18:23 hrs IST: OUT! Fourth scalp for Shaheen. What a display of bowling! The 19-year-old finishes with figures of 4/47. Hamid Hassan comes to the crease. Afghanistan are 211/8 after 47 overs.
18:17 hrs IST: Very good over from Amir, five off it. Afghanistan are 208/7 after 46 overs. Shinwari 11*, Rashid 6*
18:12 hrs IST: OUT! Pitched up from Shaheen, Najibullah looks to hit it through cover thick inside edge onto off stump. Shaheen with three wickets in his second successive game. Rashid Khan comes to the crease. Afghanistan are 203/7 after 45 overs.
18:07 hrs IST: Shadab ends with 1/44. Afghanistan are 197/6 after 44 overs. Najibullah 38*, Shinwari 10*. Shaheen to bowl his penultimate over.
18:04 hrs IST: Six an over from here and Afghanistan will get to 234. Should be a good score keeping in mind the fact that they have three good spinners in Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
17:56 hrs IST: Only four off the last 12 balls. Afghanistan are 185/6 after 41 overs. Najibullah 33*, Shinwari 4*
17:49 hrs IST: Another extremely good over from Wahab, only three off it. Afghanistan are 181/6 after 39 overs. Najibullah 32*, Shinwari 2*
17:42 hrs IST: OUT! Short ball from Wahab, Nabi goes for the pull but isn't in control of it and Amir takes a good low catch at fine leg. First wicket for Wahab. Afghanistan are 169/6 after 37 overs. Samiullah Shinwari comes to the crease.
A group of fans were evacuated from Headingley after a fight broke out between the two groups of supporters during Afghanistan's innings. Read full story here
17:36 hrs IST: FOUR! Slightly full from Imad and he plays the reverse sweep past the fielder at shor third man. Afghanistan are 164/5 after 36 overs. Najibullah 19*, Nabi 15*
17:33 hrs IST: Seven off Wahab's fifth (four leg byes). Afghanistan are 159/5 after 35 overs. Najibullah 15*, Nabi 14*. Imad Wasim comes back into the attack.
17:27 hrs IST: FOUR! Fuller delivery from Amir and Najibullah flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Afghanistan are 152/5 after 34 overs. Najibullah 15*, Nabi 11*. Wahab Riaz comes back into the attack.
17:20 hrs IST: Wonderful over from Shaheen, just three off it. Afghanistan are 145/5 after 33 overs. Nabi 10*, Najibullah 10*. Time for drinks!
In one of the marquee clashes of this World Cup , trans-tasman rivals New Zealand (NZ) and Australia (AUS) face off at the Home of Cricket, Lord's in London. Catch live updates and of NZ vs AUS here
17:11 hrs IST: FOUR! Touch short from Shaheen and Najibullah pulls it to deep square leg boundary. Afghanistan are 140/5 after 31 overs. Nabi 8*, Najibullah 8*
17:06 hrs IST: Two wickets and 14 runs off the last five overs. Afghanistan are 134/5 after 30 overs. Nabi 7*, Najibullah 3*
16:58 hrs IST: Magnificent over from Shadab, only one run off it. Afghanistan are 126/5 after 28 overs. Nabi 4*, Najibullah 0*
16:54 hrs IST: OUT! Now Imad joins the party, gets Ikram, who struggled during his 66-ball stay at the crease. Managed just 24. Hafeez takes a simple catch at long-on. Najibullah Zadran is the new man in. Afghanistan are 125/5 after 27 overs.
16:49 hrs IST: OUT! Flighted delivery from Shadab, Asghar looks to hit it to leg-side but misses and the ball gets past his inside edge onto off stump. Important breakthrough for Pakistan. Mohammad Nabi, who hit a fighting half-century against India, comes to the crease. Afghanistan are 122/4 after 26 overs.
16:43 hrs IST: If Afghanistan can score above 240, it will take some chasing from Pakistan - considering that there's turn on offer. Afghanistan are 120/3 after 25 overs. Asghar 42*, Ikram 22*
South Africa would love the chance to start this World Cup all over again, but they will have to console themselves with a Hashim Amla throwback instead. The South African great rolled back the years with a masterclass in Durham on Friday as his side completed a routine nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Read full story here
16:37 hrs IST: Just seven off the last two overs. Afghanistan are 114/3 after 23 overs. Asghar 40*, Ikram 18*
16:30 hrs IST: Wahab keeps things tight. Fifty partnership between Asghar and Ikram. Twenty-six runs off the last 30 balls. Turning out to be decent phase for Afghanistan, who are 107/3 after 21 overs.
16:26 hrs IST: Nice over from Shadab, only three runs off it. Afghanistan are 104/3 after 20 overs. Asghar 35*, Ikram 13*
16:23 hrs IST: FOUR! Too short from Wahab, outside off, Asghar slashes it past point. 100 up for Afghanistan in the 19th over. Asghar 33*, Ikram 12*
16:19 hrs IST: SIX! Asghar gets to the pitch of the ball and smashes it over wide long-on for a maximum. He's choosing the right deliveries to go after. Costly over from Shadab, 13 off it. Afghanistan are 96/3 after 18 overs. Asghar 28*, Ikram 12*
16:12 hrs IST: Fine over from Wahab, only one off it. Afghanistan are 83/3 after 17 overs. Asghar 16*, Ikram 11*. Drinks are on the field now. Has been a good first hour for Pakistan!
16:08 hrs IST: Five off Shadab's first. Afghanistan are 82/3 after 16 overs. Asghar 15*, Ikram 11*. Wahab again
16:05 hrs IST: FOUR! Good length from Wahab, Ikram comes on the front foot to defend, but gets the outside edge and it runs away to the third man boundary. Afghanistan are 77/3 after 15 overs. Ikram 11*, Asghar 10*. Leggie Shadab Khan comes into the attack.
16:00 hrs IST: SIX! Flatter delivery from Imad, Asghar comes down the wicket and smacks it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Fourteen runs off the last 12 deliveries. Afghanistan are 71/3 after 14 overs. Wahab Riaz comes into the attack.
15:53 hrs IST: OUT! Arm ball from Imad, Rahmat looks to flick but due to lack of pace gets a leading edge and Babar Azam takes a neat catch at cover. Three down! Asghar Afghan comes to the crease. Afghanistan are 57/3 after 12 overs.
15:48 hrs IST: Five singles off Hafeez's first six balls. Afghanistan are 51/2 after 11 overs. Rahmat 30*, Ikram 2*. Imad to continue.
15:44 hrs IST: Impressive over from Imad, just one off it. Afghanistan are 46/2 after the end of first Powerplay. Rahmat 26*, Ikram 0*. Another change in bowling. Mohammad Hafeez comes into the attack.
15:41 hrs IST: FOUR! Short of a length delivery from Shaheen and Rahmat flicks through fine leg. Easy pickings! Fourth boundary for him. Afghanistan are 45/2 after 9 overs. Imad Wasim comes back into the attack.
15:37 hrs IST: Back-to-back tidy overs from Amir. No margin for error. Would be great for Pakistan if he can get a couple of wickets here. Afghanistan are 40/2 after 8 overs. Rahmat 21*, Ikram 0*
15:33 hrs IST: FOUR! Overpitched from Shaheen and Rahmat hits it straight down the ground. Seven off the over. Afghanistan are 39/2 after 7 overs. Rahmat 20*, Ikram 0*
15:28 hrs IST: Solid over from Amir, only one run off it. Ikram Ali Khil was adjudged LBW but UltraEdge confirmed a huge inside edge. Afghanistan are 32/2 after 6 overs. Shaheen to continue
15:22 hrs IST: OUT! What an eventful over! Shaheen goes for 14 runs but picks the all-important wickets of Naib and Hashmatullah Shahidi off consecutive deliveries. The Afghanistan captain got a big nick and Sarfaraz did the rest behind the stumps. Shahidi, on the other hand, got a leading in an attempt to work a full ball toowards leg-side and the mid-off fielder - Imad - completed an easy catch. The left-arm pacer misses hattrick - four leg byes off the last delivery. Afghanistan are 31/2 after 5 overs.
15:14 hrs IST: FOUR! Short delivery from Amir, Rahmat gets into position early and pulls it over mid-wicket for another boundary. Shot! Afghanistan are 17/0 after 4 overs. Rahmat 12*, Naib 5*. First change in bowling. Shaheen Afridi comes into the attack.
15:10 hrs IST: FOUR! Fuller length from Imad, Naib leans forward and times it well in the gap between mid-off and cover. First boundary for him and Afghanistan, who are 9/0 after 3 overs. Naib 5*, Rahmat 4*
15:07 hrs IST: Excellent start from Amir. It's a maiden. Some shape for him. Afghanistan are 5/0 after 2 overs. Rahmat 4*, Naib 1*
15:03 hrs IST: Both Naib and Rahmat off the mark with a single. Decent start from Imad. Afghanistan are 5/0 after the first over. Mohammad Amir comes into the attack.
14:59 hrs IST: Time for live action. Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib to open. Imad Wasim to begin the proceedings.
14:38 hrs IST: Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib(c), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shinwari, Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Ali Khil(w), Rashid Khan, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w/c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi
14:33 hrs IST: Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat
14:11 hrs IST: We'll have the toss in 20 minutes. Pakistan have a 4-5 win-loss record at Headingley in ODIs.
13:56 hrs IST: STAT ATTACK - Afghanistan have lost the most wickets (47) to fast bowlers in this World Cup.
13:42 hrs IST: Afghanistan have lost their last seven ODIs, all at this World Cup - their longest losing run in the format.
13:34 hrs IST: BIG NUMBER - Wahab Riaz has taken 32 World Cup wickets and needs two more to tie Imran Khan as Pakistan's second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history. Wasim Akram leads the way on 55.
13:30 hrs IST: Pakistan are in the exact same position at this World Cup (W3, L3, NR1) as they were at this stage in 1992 when they went on to become champions; to continue that similarity, they need to win all of their remaining games through to the final.
13:25 hrs IST: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) has conceded the most sixes by any bowler at this World Cup, but 11 of those 12 came in one game against England.
13:19 hrs IST: STAT ATTACK - Pakistan have won all three of their previous men's ODIs against Afghanistan, although this will be their first World Cup meeting.
13:15 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to Outlook's live coverage of the ICC World Cup 2019 encounter between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Afghanistan will look to seek confidence from their warm-up fixture against Pakistan, where they had emerged victorious by three wickets. Afghanistan have shown flashes of brilliance in almost all their games, but are yet to put on an all-round match-winning performance.
Afghan bowlers gave them a great chance to cause the tournament's biggest upset against India but their batsmen couldn’t stitch partnerships.
If Pakistan beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh, their chances of reaching the semis would increase but they would also have to rely on the results of other matches. (SCENARIOS)
The inclusion of Haris Sohail at the expense of the out-of-form Shoaib Malik has lent stability to Pakistan's batting.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has added firepower to their bowling that is led by Mohammad Amir.
"We've kept it very simple. We are going from match to match. They (Afghanistan) have quality spinners and we've seen a lot of videos and we've worked from them. And hopefully we'll see a good match,” said Sohail, who hit half-centuries against South Africa and New Zealand.
