- Mar 4, 2024
- Feb 16, 2023
Naseem Shah’s saved Pakistan and got them victory from the jaws of defeat against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2022. His pyrotechnics with the bat guided Pakistan to a famous win over Afghanistan, and they have, with this win, confirmed themselves a finals berth. They will play the final of the Asia Cup 2022 against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Chasing a low score of 130 at Sharjah, Pakistan almost made a meal out of a straightforward chase before Naseem Shah’s heroics got Pakistan out of jail. The equation was 11 runs off the final over needed with just one wicket remaining.
The ball was given to Fazalhaq Farooqi, who was right on the money as he conceded only 19 runs in his three overs spell and even picked up three wickets. He bowled his slower deliveries and yorkers at pinpoint accuracy in the previous over that he bowled. The tail-enders were least expected to guide Pakistan home.
However, Naseem Shah had other ideas as he smoked the first two deliveries for sixes and won the match for his team. Farooqi lost his radar in the last two deliveries as he bowled two high full-tosses and Naseem sent them over the boundary ropes at long off. The youngster, who has been breathing fire in the tournament, became a hero for millions of Pakistan fans all over with his timely big hitting.
Naseem Shah, remember the name🔥#PAKvAFG #AsiaCup2022https://t.co/aJ7KqMcCUZ
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) September 7, 2022
“When I came in to bat, I had the belief I could hit sixes,” Naseem said. “I practice this. I knew they would bowl yorkers. I just tried and I executed. I had spoken earlier itself that we need to have belief, we can hit. We train in the nets, so that belief was there. I felt my bat was not good, so I changed it (laughs),” said the pacer after the contest.
In the first innings, Naseem recorded figures of 1/19 in four overs. This was a beautiful all-round performance from the tearaway pace who turned the tables around for Pakistan and sealed a place for them in the Asia Cup 2022 final.