In his 87th game, Shadab Khan claimed 3-13 to become the first Pakistani and seventh spinner overall to reach 100 T20I wickets.
Afghanistan wins the series 2-1. Pakistan’s stand-in captain Shadab Khan led Pakistan to a consolation 66-run victory in the third and final Twenty20 international on Monday in Sharjah. Pakistan’s revamped team made a solid 182-7 in 20 overs after losing the first two games by margins of six and seven wickets, then held Afghanistan to 116 in 18.4 overs. After scoring 92-9 and 130-6 in their first two matches, Pakistan’s batting performance improved as it achieved 182-7 under the direction of opener Saim Ayub.
Shadab then finished with 100 T20I wickets in his 87th encounter, taking 3-13 to become the first Pakistani and seventh bowler overall.
Afghanistan was never in contention to reach the challenging goal after Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) and Karim Janat (nought) were both dismissed by the fiery pacer Ihsanullah, and before Najibullah Zadran was cut on the chin by his sharp bouncer.
Najibullah was in good shape but was unable to continue his session. Najibullah’s replacement due to an injury, Azmatullah Omarzai, top-scored with a 20-ball 21 that included a six and two boundaries.
Ihsanullah had a 3-29 final score.
Usman Ghani got 15 before Shadab’s 100th T20I wicket, Mohammad Nabi, who had been run out for 17, and Rashid Khan, who had made 16.
Tim Southee of New Zealand is currently leading the T20I wicket holders with 134, followed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh (131), Rashid of Afghanistan (129), Ish Sodhi of New Zealand (114), Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka (107), and Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh. (100).
Pakistan can find solace in the fact that they tested the depth of their bench by resting normal captain Babar Azam as well as Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf despite losing the series.
Shadab claimed that the series’ goal had been accomplished.
The main goal of this series, according to Shadab, was to give young players a chance. Hopefully, they will gain confidence from these games and it will benefit them in the long term.
Rashid said the series victory was noteworthy.
“It’s special to be a member of this squad; everyone gave it their all. We won the tournament, but there are still some things we can do better, said Rashid.
Regarding the 50-over World Cup that will be held in India later this year, Rashid said, “Any series after this is a good preparation for us before the World Cup.”
Ayub earlier struck a solid 49 off 40 balls, including two sixes and four boundaries, and Iftikhar Ahmed made 31 off 25 balls, including two sixes.
The other two key hitters were Abdullah Shafique (23), who reached 28, and Shadab (28).
The bowler of choice for Afghanistan was the spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who finished with a 2-28.
Both matches, played in Sharjah, were won by Afghanistan, the first by six runs and the second by seven.
The three ODI matches that Afghanistan was scheduled to play against Australia this month in the United Arab Emirates were replaced by the series.
However, Cricket Australia withdrew from the series in opposition to the Taliban government in Afghanistan’s ban on women’s cricket and schooling.
