Afghanistan have defeated Pakistan in a Twenty20 for the first time to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match series.
Pakistan, without five of their frontline players including captain Babar Azam, struggled on a slow and low pitch at Sharjah Cricket Stadium against the Afghans, and were restricted to 9-92.
Afghanistan, whose six bowlers shared all nine wickets, overcame a shaky start at 4-45 in the 10th over to cruise home at 4-98 to win with more than two overs to spare.
Mohammad Nabi raised Afghanistan’s first victory over Pakistan in five attempts over the past decade with a straight six over long off.
“Pleasure to win, as we’ve always lost against them by small margins,” Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan said.
“Wearing Afghanistan colours and leading the team in a win is a proud achievement. We never know the wicket . . . (but the) mindset was . . . to adjust accordingly.”
Afghanistan have a chance at a first series win in the remaining two T20s on Sunday and Monday.
None of the Pakistan batters could accelerate on a two-paced pitch and mostly fell to soft dismissals. They were made to rue resting their top players.
In the absence of formidable openers Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, replacements Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris couldn’t gauge the low bounce and fell within the batting powerplay while attempting extravagant shots.
Abdullah Shafique was pinned by Azmatullah Omarzai for 0 and Tayyab Tahir, one of four making their Pakistan debut, lobbed a return catch to Rashid Khan.
When Azam Khan was also out for a duck on debut, Pakistan were 5-41 in the eighth over.
Pakistan were in danger of not reaching their lowest T20 total of 74 in 2012 against Australia at Dubai, but Imad Wasim top scored with 18.
“Sometimes this can happen due to youngsters being nervous, but they need to be given chances,” interim captain Shadab Khan said.
“As professionals we can’t give excuses regarding conditions, we have to learn from the loss here.”
Unorthodox spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 2-9 and Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-13.
Pakistan fast bowling debutant Ihsanullah got two wickets in his first over with short-pitched deliveries.
Afghanistan were soon four down, but Nabi (38 not out) and Najibullah Zadran (17 not out) got them over the finish line.
Ihsanullah finished with 2-17.
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