Afghanistan knocked off Pakistan’s target of 115 in 17.5 overs to win the second Asian Games 2023 semi-final in Hangzhou today (October 6). They will now face India in the final.

Defending the meagre total, Pakistan started off well as they reduced Afghanistan to 35-3 in 4.3 overs. Afghanistan’s openers fell cheaply as Sediqullah Atal and veteran wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Shahzad returned to the pavilion after scoring 5 (4) and 9 (12) respectively.

Pakistan’s bowlers did a commendable job but ultimately the small target on the board made the difference. Despite an early scare slipping to 84-6, Afghanistan were able to chase down the paltry target convincingly thanks to Noor Ali’s 39 off 33 and skipper Gulbadin Naib’s late flourish. Naib scored a well-made 26 off 19 comprising three sixes and a boundary, taking his team over the finish line.

Earlier, Afghanistan put Pakistan to bat first. Naib’s men never allowed their batting order to tee off as they took wickets at regular intervals. Their rivals were teetering at 76-6 at one stage and could only accumulate another 39 runs before they were bowled out in the 18th over. Left-arm quick Fareed Ahmad, who finished with 3-15 in his 3 overs, was the pick of their bowlers. Leg-spinner Qais Ahmad and left-arm wrist-spinner Zahir Khan chipped in with two wickets each.

In the summit clash tomorrow (October 7), an upbeat Afghanistan will look to clinch the title in the 2023 Asiad. After resolutely defending 116 runs against Sri Lanka in the quarter-final and a sound victory versus Pakistan in the second semi-final, Afghanistan look well poised to give India a stern challenge in the final.

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