Twitter reactions on Imad Wasim aiding Pakistan: Twitter was exhilarated on the Pakistani victory in a nerve-wrenching contest.
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During the 36th match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Headingley, Pakistan defeated Afghanistan to stay in contention for the the semi-final spot in the tournament.
While Pakistan were expected to easily chase down a 228-run target, Afghanistan seemed to have other plans as they converted the match into a cliffhanger. From Mujeeb Ur Rahman drawing first blood in the first over itself to other Afghani bowlers picking wickets at regular intervals, their first victory was not far away until they succumbed to pressure when it mattered the most.
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Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (18) getting run-out in the 39th over gave signs of Pakistan losing sight of the chase. However, it was a 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket between all-rounder Imad Wasim and leg-spinner Shadab Khan (11) which brought Pakistan back into the match.
ALSO WATCH: Pakistan and Afghanistan fans clash outside Headingley stadium
In the absence of any specialist batsmen, Wasim stood tall for him team as he justified his batting position of No. 7. Coming in to bat in the 36th over, Wasim sealed the chase in the last over for Pakistan scoring 49* (54) with the help of five fours.
Earlier, Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib had won the toss and elected to bat first. In their allotted quota of 50 overs, Afghanistan had scored 227/9. Middle-order batsmen Asghar Afghan and Najibullah Zadran top-scored for Afghanistan, scoring 42 each.
With bowling figures of 10-0-47-4, left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan. Other than Afridi, fast bowler Wahab Riaz and all-rounder Imad Wasim dismissed a couple of batsmen each. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan picked up the wicket of Afghan in the 26th over.
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Twitter reactions on Imad Wasim aiding Pakistan to beat Afghanistan:
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