ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, September 21, 2018: Ten runs needed from the final over. Three wickets standing. Afghanistan sensed its first ODI victory over Pakistan, and Shoaib Malik knew one mistake could end the chase. Aftab Alam began with a dot ball, tightening the pressure further. Malik then pulled the second delivery for six and struck the third for four, completing a remarkable three-wicket victory with three balls remaining in the 2018 Asia Cup Super Four encounter at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Pakistan finished on 258/7 in 49.3 overs after Afghanistan had posted 257/6.
The finish was particularly remarkable because Pakistan had appeared comfortable at 154/1, with Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam dominating the chase. Rashid Khan’s 3/46 revived Afghanistan’s hopes, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s outstanding 2/33 ensured Pakistan never escaped the pressure entirely. Earlier, Hashmatullah Shahidi’s unbeaten 97 and captain Asghar Afghan’s aggressive 67 had rescued Afghanistan from 94/3. Malik eventually settled the contest with an unbeaten 51 from 43 balls, an innings that earned him the Player of the Match award and spared Pakistan another damaging defeat.
This encounter is Match 63 in The Sports Encounter’s A Celebration of 5000 ODIs, a series examining 100 unforgettable matches from One-Day International cricket history.
It earned its place through a fascinating reversal of fortunes, outstanding spin bowling, a brave Afghan fightback and a masterclass in finishing from one of Pakistan’s most experienced cricketers.
The match also raised a compelling question. Did Pakistan win because Malik handled the pressure better, or did Afghanistan lose a historic opportunity because its bowlers could not deliver the final three balls that mattered?
Pakistan vs Afghanistan 2018 Asia Cup: Match Summary
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Asia Cup 2018 |
| Stage | Super Four, Match 2 |
| Date | September 21, 2018 |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Toss | Afghanistan won and elected to bat |
| Afghanistan | 257/6 in 50 overs |
| Pakistan | 258/7 in 49.3 overs |
| Result | Pakistan won by 3 wickets |
| Balls remaining | 3 |
| Afghanistan’s top scorer | Hashmatullah Shahidi, 97 not out |
| Pakistan’s top scorer | Imam-ul-Haq, 80 |
| Best bowling, Pakistan | Mohammad Nawaz, 3/57 |
| Best bowling, Afghanistan | Rashid Khan, 3/46 |
| Player of the Match | Shoaib Malik, 51 not out |
The result kept Pakistan’s Asia Cup hopes alive and denied Afghanistan a breakthrough victory against its neighbors.
More significantly, it exposed contrasting strengths and weaknesses in both teams.
Pakistan possessed the batting experience to survive a late collapse but continued struggling with fielding errors and middle-order reliability.
Afghanistan demonstrated remarkable resilience through spin bowling, yet its inability to defend ten runs in the last over proved decisive.
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Unbeaten 97 Rescues Afghanistan From a Difficult Start
Afghanistan’s innings was built around a patient and intelligent performance from Hashmatullah Shahidi.
He scored an unbeaten 97 from 118 balls, hitting seven boundaries and anchoring the innings after Pakistan’s spinners had dismantled the top order.
Afghanistan’s decision to bat first appeared questionable when both openers departed cheaply.
Mohammad Shahzad managed 20 from 31 deliveries, while Ihsanullah contributed ten from 28.
Mohammad Nawaz removed both batters before dismissing Rahmat Shah for 36.
At 94/3 in the 26th over, Afghanistan were struggling to build a competitive total.
Pakistan had successfully restricted scoring opportunities, and Afghanistan faced the possibility of finishing well below 230.
Shahidi changed that outlook through disciplined batting.
He resisted the temptation to manufacture boundaries against Pakistan’s spinners and concentrated on keeping the innings together.
His ability to rotate the strike became increasingly important as captain Asghar Afghan began attacking from the other end.
The two complemented each other perfectly.
Shahidi provided stability, while Asghar supplied the acceleration.
Together, they transformed Afghanistan’s innings.
Shahidi’s Contribution by the Numbers
| Statistic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Runs | 97 not out |
| Balls faced | 118 |
| Boundaries | 7 fours |
| Sixes | 0 |
| Strike rate | 82.20 |
| Share of Afghanistan’s 257 runs | 37.74% |
| Partnership with Asghar Afghan | 94 runs |
| Final status | Unbeaten |
Shahidi’s unbeaten innings represented nearly 38% of Afghanistan’s total.
His contribution was especially important because Afghanistan had lost three wickets before reaching 100.
By remaining unbeaten throughout the innings, he provided the structure that allowed Afghanistan to accelerate during the final ten overs.
He deserved a century, but circumstances ultimately left him three runs short.
Asghar Afghan’s 67 Turns a Cautious Innings Into an Aggressive Recovery
If Shahidi held Afghanistan together, Asghar Afghan supplied the innings’ momentum.
The captain scored 67 from 56 deliveries, striking two fours and five sixes.
His innings changed the scoring tempo after Afghanistan’s difficult opening period.
Pakistan had been successful in restricting boundary opportunities, particularly through Nawaz.
Asghar recognized that Afghanistan could not afford to remain excessively cautious.
He targeted scoring opportunities more aggressively and allowed Shahidi to continue playing his anchoring role.
Their 94-run fourth-wicket partnership helped Afghanistan advance from 94/3 to 188/4.
That stand provided the platform for a total that ultimately challenged Pakistan.
Asghar’s dismissal came when Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled him for 67.
The wicket ended a valuable partnership, but Afghanistan had already recovered considerably.
Why Asghar’s Five Sixes Were So Important
Asghar scored 30 of his 67 runs through sixes alone.
Those five deliveries contributed almost 45% of his individual total.
In an innings where Afghanistan’s other leading batter concentrated on accumulation, Asghar’s aggressive batting created the necessary balance.
Without that acceleration, Afghanistan would have needed an exceptional final few overs to reach 257.
His performance also demonstrated the value of complementary batting roles in ODI cricket.
Shahidi established security.
Asghar forced Pakistan to reconsider its defensive fields and bowling strategies.
Together, they allowed Afghanistan to move from survival toward a competitive total.
Mohammad Nawaz’s Three Wickets Give Pakistan Early Control
Mohammad Nawaz was Pakistan’s most successful bowler, finishing with 3/57 from ten overs.
His wickets came at an important stage.
He dismissed Ihsanullah, Mohammad Shahzad and Rahmat Shah, removing Afghanistan’s first three batters.
Those breakthroughs restricted Afghanistan to 94/3.
Pakistan had an opportunity to press home its advantage, but Afghanistan’s fourth-wicket partnership prevented a complete collapse.
Nawaz’s figures reflected both aspects of Pakistan’s performance.
He created early pressure and delivered vital wickets.
However, Afghanistan’s recovery meant his three-wicket spell did not translate into complete control of the innings.
Shaheen Shah Afridi Impresses on ODI Debut Despite Pakistan’s Fielding Problems
The match also marked an important occasion for 18-year-old Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Making his ODI debut, the left-arm fast bowler claimed 2/38 from ten overs.
He dismissed Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi, producing an impressive performance despite Pakistan’s fielding lapses.
According to the ICC’s official match account, Pakistan dropped three catches off Shaheen’s bowling.
Those missed opportunities were particularly costly against a side attempting to rebuild after an early collapse.
Shaheen’s bowling figures were impressive on their own.
The missed catches suggest he could have finished with an even more significant return.
His economy rate of 3.80 was the best among Pakistan’s six bowlers.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nawaz | 10 | 57 | 3 | 5.70 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 10 | 38 | 2 | 3.80 |
| Hasan Ali | 10 | 51 | 1 | 5.10 |
| Usman Khan Shinwari | 10 | 58 | 0 | 5.80 |
| Shoaib Malik | 4 | 21 | 0 | 5.25 |
| Haris Sohail | 6 | 30 | 0 | 5.00 |
Shaheen’s performance was one of the encouraging developments for Pakistan despite the team’s uneven fielding display.
His ability to combine wicket-taking deliveries with economical bowling suggested considerable potential at international level.
Imam-ul-Haq’s 80 Gives Pakistan the Perfect Platform After an Early Shock
Pakistan’s chase began disastrously when Fakhar Zaman fell for a duck.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman trapped the left-handed opener lbw before Pakistan had scored a run.
The dismissal immediately brought Babar Azam to the crease alongside Imam-ul-Haq.
Afghanistan had created the ideal opening against a batting lineup under pressure following Pakistan’s defeat to India two days earlier.
However, Imam and Babar responded with a disciplined partnership.
Imam scored 80 from 104 deliveries, including five fours and a six.
His approach emphasized stability and strike rotation rather than uncontrolled aggression.
The partnership gradually took control away from Afghanistan.
Pakistan reached 154/1 in the 34th over, apparently establishing a commanding position.
At that stage, only 104 additional runs were required, with nine wickets still available.
The chase looked straightforward.
Afghanistan’s spinners had other ideas.
Babar Azam’s 66 Builds the Chase Before Rashid Khan Changes Everything
Babar Azam contributed 66 from 94 balls, hitting four fours and one six.
His partnership with Imam was worth 154 runs.
The two batters had rebuilt Pakistan’s innings after the opening wicket and reduced the required scoring equation to a manageable level.
However, the partnership also consumed considerable time.
Afghanistan’s bowlers prevented the pair from accelerating decisively, ensuring Pakistan still needed a meaningful contribution from its middle order.
Imam’s run-out provided the breakthrough at 154/2.
Four runs later, Rashid Khan dismissed Babar, who was stumped by Mohammad Shahzad.
Pakistan were suddenly 158/3.
The dismissals altered the psychological balance of the match.
Afghanistan had removed both set batters in quick succession.
Pakistan had lost the players best positioned to complete the chase comfortably.
Shoaib Malik now carried the responsibility of finishing the innings.
Pakistan’s Chase: How the Pressure Built
| Match Situation | Pakistan Score | Runs Required | Wickets Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar dismissed | 0/1 | 258 | 9 |
| Imam dismissed | 154/2 | 104 | 8 |
| Babar dismissed | 158/3 | 100 | 7 |
| Haris Sohail dismissed | 194/4 | 64 | 6 |
| Sarfaraz dismissed | 216/5 | 42 | 5 |
| Asif Ali dismissed | 226/6 | 32 | 4 |
| Nawaz dismissed | 242/7 | 16 | 3 |
| Winning boundary | 258/7 | 0 | 3 |
The table illustrates the central problem Pakistan faced.
After Imam and Babar departed, the remaining batters repeatedly failed to establish substantial partnerships.
Malik became the only player capable of maintaining sufficient control while wickets continued falling around him.
Rashid Khan’s 3/46 Almost Produces Afghanistan’s Greatest Asia Cup Victory
Rashid Khan was Afghanistan’s most influential wicket-taking bowler.
He finished with 3/46 from ten overs, dismissing Babar Azam, Asif Ali and Mohammad Nawaz.
His wickets arrived during the most important stages of Pakistan’s chase.
Babar’s dismissal removed a well-established batter.
Asif Ali’s departure reduced Pakistan to 226/6.
Nawaz’s wicket, with Pakistan at 242/7 in the 49th over, pushed Afghanistan to the brink of a famous victory.
Rashid’s final breakthrough was especially significant because Nawaz had already scored ten from eight deliveries, including a six.
Pakistan needed 16 runs when Nawaz fell.
With only three wickets remaining and the match approaching its conclusion, Afghanistan appeared to have an excellent opportunity to defend 257.
Rashid had done almost everything required.
His figures reflected another outstanding performance from a bowler whose leg-spin had become central to Afghanistan’s growing international reputation.
However, the remaining deliveries would decide whether his spell resulted in victory.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s 2/33 Gives Afghanistan Control Without Expensive Overs
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s contribution was equally important, although Rashid received more attention because of his late wickets.
The young spinner conceded just 33 runs from ten overs and claimed two wickets.
His economy rate of 3.30 was outstanding in a match where Pakistan needed to score at slightly more than five runs per over.
He began by dismissing Fakhar Zaman for a duck.
Later, he removed Haris Sohail for 13 when Pakistan were attempting to rebuild after losing Imam and Babar.
Mujeeb also bowled two maiden overs.
His control ensured Pakistan could not easily compensate for wickets lost at the other end.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Attack
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 10 | 2 | 33 | 2 | 3.30 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 0 | 46 | 3 | 4.60 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 10 | 0 | 61 | 1 | 6.10 |
| Aftab Alam | 9.3 | 1 | 64 | 0 | 6.73 |
Mujeeb and Rashid combined to concede only 79 runs from their 20 overs while taking five wickets.
That meant Afghanistan’s two leading wicket-taking spinners allowed Pakistan just 3.95 runs per over.
Their performance was a major reason Pakistan entered the final over still needing ten runs.
The contrast with Afghanistan’s seam bowling also became an important part of the match’s eventual outcome.
Shoaib Malik’s Unbeaten 51 Demonstrates the Value of Experience Under Pressure
Shoaib Malik was the difference between a narrow Pakistani victory and a potentially historic Afghan win.
He arrived with Pakistan 158/3 and remained unbeaten until the winning boundary.
His 51 came from 43 deliveries, featuring three fours and one six.
The value of his innings extended beyond its strike rate of 118.60.
Malik had to manage the chase while wickets continued falling.
He could not rely on another established batter remaining with him.
Sarfaraz Ahmed departed for eight.
Asif Ali managed seven.
Mohammad Nawaz scored ten before Rashid dismissed him.
Through those setbacks, Malik preserved enough control to take Pakistan into the final over with a realistic chance.
His composure became particularly important after Nawaz’s dismissal.
Hasan Ali contributed a valuable six from three balls, including a first-ball six against Rashid Khan in the penultimate over.
That aggressive stroke reduced the burden on Malik and ensured Pakistan required ten from the final six deliveries.
The Final Over: How Malik Won the Match in Three Balls
| Delivery | Bowler | Batter | Result | Runs Still Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49.1 | Aftab Alam | Shoaib Malik | Dot ball | 10 |
| 49.2 | Aftab Alam | Shoaib Malik | Six | 4 |
| 49.3 | Aftab Alam | Shoaib Malik | Four | 0 |
Aftab Alam had a difficult task.
He was defending ten runs against an experienced international batter who had already assessed the conditions and understood exactly what Pakistan needed.
His first delivery produced no run.
Suddenly, the requirement became ten from five balls.
The pressure shifted further toward Afghanistan.
Malik then attacked a short delivery and struck it for six over square leg.
With four required from four deliveries, the situation changed dramatically.
The third delivery offered Malik another scoring opportunity.
He worked it past short fine leg for four.
Pakistan had completed the chase with three balls remaining.
For Afghanistan, the defeat was painful because its bowlers had fought so hard to create a winning opportunity.
For Pakistan, Malik had delivered an innings that rescued the side from an uncomfortable position.
His performance was a reminder that experience in limited-overs cricket often becomes most valuable when the match stops following its expected course.
Five Turning Points That Defined Pakistan’s Narrow Escape
1. Afghanistan Recover From 94/3 Through Shahidi and Asghar Afghan
Pakistan’s bowlers had gained an early advantage.
Shahidi and Asghar responded with a 94-run partnership that transformed Afghanistan’s innings and pushed the eventual total to 257.
2. Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam Add 154 Runs
Pakistan’s reply appeared comfortable once Imam and Babar settled.
Their partnership built the foundation for victory, but neither remained to finish the chase.
3. Two Set Batters Fall Within Four Runs
Imam was run out at 154, and Babar fell at 158.
Those wickets exposed Pakistan’s middle order and allowed Afghanistan’s spinners to attack.
4. Rashid Khan Dismisses Nawaz in the Penultimate Over
Pakistan were reduced to 242/7 when Nawaz departed.
Rashid had created the kind of late-match opportunity Afghanistan needed.
5. Malik Hits Six and Four to End the Contest
The final over began with ten runs required.
Malik’s consecutive boundaries after the opening dot ball ended Afghanistan’s hopes and completed Pakistan’s three-wicket victory.
Could Afghanistan Have Won With a Different Final-Over Strategy?
Afghanistan’s decision to entrust Aftab Alam with the final over became one of the match’s defining tactical questions.
Rashid Khan had completed his ten-over allocation.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman had also bowled his full quota.
Afghanistan therefore had limited options for the last six deliveries.
Aftab entered the final over with the responsibility of defending ten runs against Shoaib Malik.
There was no guarantee that another bowler would have produced a different outcome.
However, the final-over execution created scoring opportunities.
The decisive six came from a short delivery that Malik could pull powerfully.
The subsequent boundary came from a ball directed toward the leg side, allowing Malik to exploit the field.
The more meaningful criticism concerns Afghanistan’s inability to consistently force Malik into lower-percentage scoring options.
A tighter line and more disciplined length might have increased the difficulty of scoring boundaries.
Even so, Malik deserves considerable credit.
He had survived the difficult overs, understood the equation and recognized precisely when to attack.
The outcome reflected both his finishing skill and Afghanistan’s failure to execute its final deliveries effectively.
Why Shoaib Malik Was the Clear Player of the Match
Malik’s unbeaten 51 earned him the official Player of the Match award.
Several players had strong claims to individual recognition.
Shahidi scored 97 not out.
Imam-ul-Haq made 80.
Babar Azam contributed 66.
Rashid Khan took three crucial wickets.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman produced the most economical spell of the match.
Yet Malik delivered the performance that ultimately decided the result.
He guided Pakistan through the middle-order collapse and then finished the chase with two successive boundaries.
His innings converted a precarious situation into victory.
The award reflected that decisive contribution.
Why Match 63 Belongs in A Celebration of 5000 ODIs
Pakistan’s victory over Afghanistan represents precisely the kind of contest this series was designed to revisit.
The scorecard records a three-wicket victory with three balls remaining.
However, the margin alone cannot explain the tension.
Afghanistan had recovered from 94/3 to post 257.
Pakistan then appeared firmly in control at 154/1.
Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman altered the chase through sustained pressure and timely wickets.
By the final over, the outcome depended on whether a veteran batter could score ten runs against a bowler trying to secure one of Afghanistan’s greatest ODI victories.
That final contest provided the match’s unforgettable conclusion.
It also reflected an important stage in Afghanistan’s development.
The team possessed talented batters capable of rebuilding difficult innings and world-class spinners capable of troubling established opponents.
What remained was the challenge of converting competitive positions into victories against experienced international teams.
Pakistan, meanwhile, demonstrated both vulnerability and resilience.
Its fielding mistakes had allowed Afghanistan to recover.
Its batting lineup lost several wickets after establishing a commanding position.
Yet Malik’s calm finishing ensured the chase ended successfully.
The match therefore offers a compelling study of pressure, execution and experience.
It also sits naturally alongside Match 62, Afghanistan’s dramatic tie against India, another extraordinary encounter from the same tournament.
Both matches demonstrated Afghanistan’s ability to challenge stronger opponents, although neither produced the breakthrough victory the team desperately wanted.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan 2018 Asia Cup: Complete Match Scorecard
Afghanistan Innings: 257/6 in 50 Overs
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Shahzad (wk) | c Sarfaraz b Nawaz | 20 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 64.52 |
| Ihsanullah | c & b Nawaz | 10 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 35.71 |
| Rahmat Shah | c & b Nawaz | 36 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 70.59 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | Not out | 97 | 118 | 7 | 0 | 82.20 |
| Asghar Afghan (c) | b Shaheen Afridi | 67 | 56 | 2 | 5 | 119.64 |
| Mohammad Nabi | c Hasan Ali b Shaheen Afridi | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Najibullah Zadran | b Hasan Ali | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Gulbadin Naib | Not out | 10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 142.86 |
| Rashid Khan | Did not bat | |||||
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Did not bat | |||||
| Aftab Alam | Did not bat | |||||
| Extras | 2 leg-byes, 1 wide, 2 no-balls | 5 | ||||
| Total | 6 wickets, 50 overs | 257 |
Fall of Wickets: 1-26 (Ihsanullah, 9.0), 2-31 (Mohammad Shahzad, 10.1), 3-94 (Rahmat Shah, 25.3), 4-188 (Asghar Afghan, 42.0), 5-200 (Mohammad Nabi, 44.0), 6-212 (Najibullah Zadran, 46.2).
Pakistan Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usman Khan Shinwari | 10 | 1 | 58 | 0 | 5.80 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 10 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 3.80 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 10 | 1 | 57 | 3 | 5.70 |
| Shoaib Malik | 4 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 5.25 |
| Haris Sohail | 6 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Hasan Ali | 10 | 0 | 51 | 1 | 5.10 |
Pakistan Innings: 258/7 in 49.3 Overs
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | lbw b Mujeeb | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Imam-ul-Haq | run out (Najibullah Zadran) | 80 | 104 | 5 | 1 | 76.92 |
| Babar Azam | st Shahzad b Rashid | 66 | 94 | 4 | 1 | 70.21 |
| Haris Sohail | c Ihsanullah b Mujeeb | 13 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 61.90 |
| Shoaib Malik | Not out | 51 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 118.60 |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed (c, wk) | b Gulbadin | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Asif Ali | c Aftab Alam b Rashid | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 116.67 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | b Rashid | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Hasan Ali | Not out | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Did not bat | |||||
| Usman Khan Shinwari | Did not bat | |||||
| Extras | 2 byes, 2 leg-byes, 13 wides | 17 | ||||
| Total | 7 wickets, 49.3 overs | 258 |
Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Fakhar Zaman, 1.0), 2-154 (Imam-ul-Haq, 33.3), 3-158 (Babar Azam, 35.1), 4-194 (Haris Sohail, 41.1), 5-216 (Sarfaraz Ahmed, 45.0), 6-226 (Asif Ali, 46.3), 7-242 (Mohammad Nawaz, 48.3).
Afghanistan Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 10 | 2 | 33 | 2 | 3.30 |
| Aftab Alam | 9.3 | 1 | 64 | 0 | 6.73 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 10 | 0 | 61 | 1 | 6.10 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 0 | 46 | 3 | 4.60 |
Result: Pakistan won by three wickets with three balls remaining.
Player of the Match: Shoaib Malik (Pakistan), 51 not out from 43 deliveries.Scorecard checked against the Pakistan Cricket Board’s official historical match record, with the finish corroborated by the ICC.
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What Happened After Pakistan’s Dramatic Victory?
Pakistan’s narrow escape provided a confidence boost before its next Super Four encounter against India.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, had demonstrated enough quality to suggest it could continue troubling established international teams.
The immediate result was disappointing for Afghanistan, particularly after Rashid’s outstanding bowling and Shahidi’s unbeaten 97.
However, the performance added to the evidence that Afghanistan’s emerging ODI team could compete in high-pressure situations.
Pakistan’s experience ultimately proved decisive.
Malik survived the most difficult phase of the chase, preserved his wicket and attacked when the match required boundaries.
For Afghanistan, the challenge was learning how to close out matches from winning positions.
For Pakistan, the lesson was equally important.
A strong partnership can establish control, but losing wickets at regular intervals can quickly turn a comfortable ODI chase into a crisis.
Three Questions That Explain the Match’s Lasting Appeal
Why Did Pakistan Almost Lose After Reaching 154/1?
Pakistan lost Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam within four runs, exposing its middle order against Afghanistan’s disciplined spin attack. Rashid Khan claimed three wickets, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman delivered an outstanding economical spell.
Who Was Afghanistan’s Most Influential Player?
Hashmatullah Shahidi was Afghanistan’s leading batter with an unbeaten 97, while Rashid Khan produced the strongest wicket-taking bowling performance with 3/46. Mujeeb’s 2/33 also played a major role in pushing Pakistan into the final-over crisis.
How Did Shoaib Malik Finish the Match?
With Pakistan needing ten runs from six balls, Malik faced Aftab Alam. He played a dot ball, struck a six over square leg and followed it with a four to complete Pakistan’s victory with three deliveries remaining.
Why This Victory Still Deserves to Be Remembered
Years after the 2018 Asia Cup, the lasting image of this encounter remains Shoaib Malik calmly finding the boundary while Afghanistan watched a historic victory slip away.
Pakistan’s success was built on important contributions from Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam and Malik, supported by Nawaz and Shaheen’s wickets during the first innings.
Afghanistan had every reason to believe it could win.
Shahidi and Asghar had recovered the innings.
Rashid and Mujeeb had exposed Pakistan’s middle order.
The chase had reached its final over with ten runs still needed.
Malik’s two decisive strokes ultimately separated the teams.
Match 63 deserves its place in A Celebration of 5000 ODIs because it captured the defining tension of 50-over cricket: a match can appear settled for much of the afternoon, become almost impossible to predict in the final half hour, and then be decided in the space of two deliveries.
Continue exploring A Celebration of 5000 ODIs: The 100 Most Thrilling Men’s One-Day Internationals for more remarkable chases, dramatic collapses and unforgettable finishes.