Asghar and the Afghans

Sep 21, 2018

Mohammad Nawaz celebrated his return to the Pakistan team by snaffling both openers, leaving Afghanistan 31 for 2•AFP

But Nawaz struck again, getting Rahmat caught and bowled as Pakistan sensed an opening...•Getty Images

Asghar was finally out for a 56-ball 67 which swung the tenor of the innings•Getty Images

Imam had weathered some disciplined bowling well before he was run out•Getty Images

Rashid lived up to his billing with two late wickets to add to Babar's...•Getty Images

Rahmat Shah then joined Hashmatullah Shahidi to begin rebuilding watchfully•Getty Images

...Shahidi however, stood firm at one end•AFP

Shahidi batted through till the end, picking up the pace at the death, to finish on 97 not out off 118•Getty Images

One brought two as Babar was out very soon after Imam, with the match in balance once again•Getty Images

...But with Shoaib Malik still there, Pakistan had hope, and the veteran justified it by pulling off a thrilling last-over win•AFP

And Asghar Afghan, who began with a first-ball six, took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers, injecting momentum in the innings with an aggressive knock•Getty Images

Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early but a 154-run second-wicket partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq set them on track•Getty Images

Rashid Khan held the key for Afghanistan, and both teams knew it•Getty Images