After winning the first T20 of the three-match series, Afghanistan came out with an extra spring in their step when Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
Opening quick Fazalhaq Farooqi wasted no time getting into the Pakistan top-order, delivering a venomous first over that gave Afghanistan a dream start in Sharjah.
With just the second delivery of the match, the left-arm seamer served up a sharp in-ducker, just back of a length, cutting Saim Ayub in two. The resulting outside edge was quaffed smartly by keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
The very next ball, right-handed Abdullah Shafique took guard and was met by a massive in-swinger, trapping him on the crease and left plumb lbw as pandemonium ensued. Tayyab Tahir was able to keep out the resultant hat-trick ball.
Valuable runs from Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan (64* and 32*) somewhat salvaged the Pakistan innings, but still only left Afghanistan needing to chase down 131 to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Watch Fazalhaq Farooqi’s first-over wickets here:
Excellent Start for Afghanistan 🤩
Watch @fazalfarooqi10‘s two back to back wickets in the first over to give Afghanistan an incredible start in the 2nd T20I. #AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #LobaBaRangRawri pic.twitter.com/oulOZ4nVMN
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 26, 2023
