Nabi stars as Afghanistan stun Pakistan

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi guided Afghanistan to a six-wicket win over a newlook Pakistan in the first Twenty20 international of a three-game series on Friday. Nabi took 2-12 and was ably assisted by Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-9) and pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-13) to restrict Pakistan to 92-9 after they won the toss and batted at Sharjah Stadium. Nabi then kept his cool with a cautious run-aball 38 not out and added 53 for the unbroken fifth wicket with Najibullah Zadran (17 not out) to help Afghanistan overhaul the target in 17.5 overs.

Nabi hit his first boundary off his 27th ball and then hit two more in the next over from Naseem Shah before sealing the win with a six off Ihsanullah. This becomes Afghanistan’s first win in four Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan. Pace bowler Ihsanullah (2-17) dismissed Ibrahim Zadran (nine) with the first ball of his T20I career and then had Gulbadin Naib (nought) to leave Afghanistan tottering at 45-4 but Nabi and Najibullah made sure victory was achieved.

“It was a tough score to chase in these conditions,” said Nabi after being named man of the match. As a bowling unit, we wanted to keep them under 100 and that’s what we did. With the bat, I wanted to take responsibility and close the game. Most of the guys in our squad are playing big leagues, some have been here in the UAE for 15 days. So we were set. Thirty eight on this wicket can feel like a hundred.” Stand-in Pakistan skipper Shadab Khan confessed his new players were nervous. “Tactics wise, we were fine,” said Shadab.