Watch: Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a ball from Naseem Shah straight out of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium to kickstart Afghanistan’s chase of 131 against Pakistan.

Until two days ago, Afghanistan had played four ODIs and three T20Is against Pakistan and lost on every single occasion. However, in the first T20I of the three-match series in Sharjah, they restricted Pakistan to 92-9 and chased the target in 17.5 overs.

In the third T20I, too, the Afghans reduced Pakistan to 63-5 before Imad Wasim (64 not out in 57 balls) and Shadab Khan (32 not out in 25) took the score to 130-6. Fazalhaq Farooqi returned 4-1-19-2, Rashid Khan 4-0-16-1, and Karim Janat 3-0-13-1.

It was a low score, but Pakistan had restricted Afghanistan to 129-6 at the Asia Cup last September at the same venue. Afghanistan had stuttered in the chase of 93 as well the night before, losing four wickets for 45.

What Afghanistan needed was a quick start. Gurbaz had a violent swipe at the first ball, from Naseem, and missed it completely. He flicked the next ball past mid-wicket for two.

The third ball came at 138.7 kph, and the on-drive disappeared at a pace to match that. Gurbaz stepped out and send the ball flying outside the stadium, eventually covering a distance of 98 metres.

Gurbaz hit a boundary to end the over, and hit another at the other end, off Zaman Khan. He was second out for a 49-ball 44 before Najibullah Zadran (23 not out in 12 balls) and Mohammad Nabi (14 not out in nine) saw Afghanistan home with one ball to spare.

As a result, Afghanistan completed their first series win against Pakistan with a match in hand.

Watch Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit Naseem Shah for six:

𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 🚀

What a start for Afghanistan in the 2nd inning 🤩#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #LobaBaRangRawri pic.twitter.com/Qw1E6970Bt

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 26, 2023