Afghanistan vs Pakistan ICC World Twenty20, 2021

SIX! THERE IT IS! Scintillating hitting from Asif Ali and this is why he did not take the single in the previous over! On a length again, outside off. He sends the ball sailing over the cover fence. Pakistan win by 5 wickets!

SIX! So, the over so far as been - six, dot, six, dot, six! On a length, on off. Asif Ali hits it straight down the ground for another maximum. Pakistan are one big hit away now.

Another beautiful yorker, wide outside off. Asif Ali gets no bat on it whatsoever.

SIX! Karim Janat misses the mark and gets pumped again! Slower and shorter, outside off. Asif Ali heaves it over the mid-wicket fence. This is quality hitting by Asif Ali. He did it against the Kiwis. Can he do it here too?

Well bowled. A yorker, wide outside off. Asif Ali goes to drive but misses. Very well bowled under pressure.

SIX! BOOM! In the slot and Asif Ali punishes it! On a length, outside off. Asif Ali sits back in his crease and frees his arms to send the ball sailing over the long off fence. Great start to the 19th over for Pakistan.

Karim Janat (3-0-24-0) to bowl the all-important 19th over.

NOT OUT! Slower ball, on a length, on off. Shadab taps it to short mid-wicket and looks for a run. But Asif is not interested. Shabad runs back as the throw comes in and Mohammad Shahzad takes the bails off. The TV umpire is called in but Shadab is well inside. What an over by Naveen-ul-Haq though. Just 2 runs and a wicket from it. 24 needed in the last 2 overs.

Is that a run out? The umpires go upstairs but the replay shows that Shadab Khan is well in. NOT OUT!

Shadab Khan comes in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Naveen-ul-Haq has done what his captain would have wanted from him! He bowls a length ball, wide outside off. The eyes of Shoaib Malik light up and he goes for the booming drive. But all he gets is the outside edge and Mohammad Shahzad takes an easy catch. 24 needed in 13 balls now and the lower order of Pakistan will be tested here.

BEAUTIFUL DELIVERY! A slower yorker, on off. Malik looks to drive it at first but the ball takes ages to come. He blocks it in the end. Two dots in a row.

Naveen-ul-Haq looks to have hurt himself. This one was struck hard by Malik and Naveen-ul-Haq just stuck out his hand. The physio is out and everything seems to be fine. We are ready to resume play.

Dropped! But, this was a very tough chance. Length ball, on off. Malik smacks it very hard but straight back in the direction of the bowler. Naveen-ul-Haq sticks his right hand out. The ball hits his hand and pops out. He tries to catch it on the rebound but is not able to. Still, it is a dot ball.

Slower and shorter, around off. Ali pulls it past square leg for one.

Shorter ball, on off. Malik pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Asif Ali, the hero of the last match, is in at number 6. Also, Naveen-ul-Haq (2-0-20-0) comes back into the attack.

OUT! BOWLED! He gets the big fish! Rashid Khan, you beauty! A quicker googly, on off. Azam looks to slog-sweep but misses the ball completely. The ball crashes onto the stumps and Rashid Khan takes off in celebration! This could be the turning point of the chase. 26 needed off 18 balls.

Flatter ball, on off. Pushed to backward point and they sprint for one. Last ball of Rashid Khan's spell coming up.

DROPPED! Oh, my god. This is a big drop. Tossed up, on leg. Babar Azam looks to heave it away but gets the leading edge as it turns. The ball goes towards point. Naveen-ul-Haq runs across to his right from backward point. He gets to the ball, catches it as well with a dive but as he goes down, the ball slips out. They cross, Rashid cannot believe it.

Googly, but down the leg side. Malik misses the flick and even Mohammad Shahzad cannot collect it. So a wide and an extra run is taken by the batters.

Loopy ball, outside off. Malik dances down the track and drags it wide of long on for a couple.

SIX! High and handsome! Flatter ball, wide outside off. Malik gets low and then hammers it way, way over the long on fence. A quality stroke. We all were thinking that Pakistan would look to knock it around in this over and see off Rashid but Shoaib has other plans. He hit that ball on merit.

Flatter ball, on the pads. Malik taps it to short mid-wicket. Dot ball.

Will Rashid Khan bowl out now or will Nabi keep him for later on? Nabi has a discussion with the senior players and decides to bowl out Rashid Khan. A very crucial 6 balls coming up in the context of this game.

Just a single. Length ball, around off. Malik looks to carve it over covers but gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes to third man for one.

FOUR! Punished! Malik shimmies to the leg side a bit and Janat bowls a short and wide one. Malik cuts it hard past point for a boundary.

FIFTY FOR BABAR! Length ball, on off. Babar shuffles and taps it to deep square leg for one. That brings up his 50 but it is a muted celebration by him. He knows that he still has some work to do.

Short of a length, on middle and off, Malik backs away and punches it to deep cover for another single.

Fuller ball, on off, Azam drives it straight towards cover. A fumble allows the single. Azam feels that this ball should have reached the fence.

On a length, on the pads. Malik works it past square leg and gets an easy single.

Karim Janat (2-0-15-0) comes back into the attack.

Another short one, outside off. Malik pulls it all along the ground to deep mid-wicket for one.

Shorter ball, down the leg side. Azam pulls it to deep square leg for one. 100 up for Pakistan.

Darted on the pads. Malik gets off the mark with a single to deep square leg.

A ripping googly, lands on off and comes back in. Malik gets his bat down in time and gets the inner half. The ball goes to mid-wicket.

Flatter ball, outside off. Chopped past covers for one.

Shoaib Malik comes in at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! A century of wickets for Rashid Khan in T20Is and he is the fastest to this feat! This is another googly, around off. Hafeez gets low and looks to slog-sweep it but gets the top edge. The man from long on runs forward and takes it with ease. An easy catch for Gulbadin Naib and he celebrates it by flexing his biceps. Afghanistan are clawing back in this game. 51 needed in 35 balls.

Loopy ball, on off. Blocked out. A dot to end the spell of Nabi. He went for 36 in 4 and took a wicket, a touch on the expensive side.

Shorter again, outside off. Babar cuts it away nicely. The man at deep point gets to his left and stops the ball with one hand. Two taken.

Shorter ball, on the pads. Azam works it to short mid-wicket.

Loopy ball, on off. Babar comes down the track and hits it down the ground. The ball does not run to the fence though and the man from long on gets to it. Two taken.

Straight to the man! Fuller and quicker on the pads. Nabi hits it straight to deep mid-wicket. Rashid Khan catches it but it is a Free Hit. One taken.

Looped up, on the pads. Azam works it to short fine leg for one. Well, well it is called a no ball. Nabi has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

A full toss, on off. Hit down to long off for one.

Slower delivery, wide outside off. Azam toe-ends it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Edgy boundary but Babar Azam will take it. Rashid Khan is quicker through the air this time and bowls it a touch flatter, on off, Babar Azam looks to punch off the back foot but gets an outside edge, past the first slip fielder and the ball races away into the third man fence.

Is that a run out? Nope, Mohammad Hafeez is well inside.

SAFE! Quicker and shorter again, on off stump. Mohammad Hafeez goes on the back foot and taps it towards covers. The batters race across for a quick single but the fielder scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The umpires go upstairs but the replay shows that Hafeez had his bat grounded. Not Out!

Tossed up delivery, on off. Azam goes for the slog-sweep but doesn't quite get it off the middle of the bat. The ball goes towards deep mid-wicket and they pick up another single.

Quicker and shorter, on middle and leg. Hafeez punches it off the back foot to the right of the bowler and picks up a single down to long on.

LEG BYE! Sliding down the leg side, it was the googly again. Azam looks to flick it away on the leg side but the ball goes off his pads towards mid-wicket. They take a leg bye.

Flighted ball, on off and Hafeez drives it on the off side.

Fullish ball, on middle. this is pushed towards mid on.

FOUR! Slow and just outside off. Mohammad Hafeez stays deep in his crease looking to cut it away but gets an outside edge. Asghar Afghan gives chase from short third man but the ball beats him to reach the fence.

Tosses it up again, on off. Hafeez gets down on his knees and sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a couple.

Floats it up, around off. Mohammad Hafeez lunges forward, looking to push at it, but gets an inside edge onto the pad.

The Professor, Mohammad Hafeez, finds himself in the middle now. Professor vs President time.

Review again! Now, Fakhar Zaman reviews this LBW decision against him. But this looks out. No bat on that one. Three reds on Ball Tracker!

OUT! LBW! Well, it's not the wicket of Babar Azam but Fakhar Zaman is an equally big scalp. The skipper comes back on to bowl and gets the breakthrough right away. Mohammad Nabi angles it in from around the stumps and Fakhar Zaman gets down on one knee to sweep it away. Zaman misses and gets hit on the back thigh. The umpire raises his finger after thinking for a while and Pakistan review it again. UltraEdge confirms that there's no bat on it and this time Ball Tracker shows that the ball would go on to hit the leg stump. Fakhar Zaman has to depart. End of the 63-run stand. Can this wicket change the momentum of the game? 73 runs needed in 53 balls.

Change. Mohammad Nabi (2-0-22-0) brings himself back on.

Review time! Babar Azam is given out LBW and he has reviewed this decision. This looks quite close. Faint tickle on UltraEdge but the front-on vision shows a gap between bat and ball. Wickets missing! Babar Azam survives.

NOT OUT! Rashid Khan almost does the trick in his very first over. This is the googly yet again, on the middle stump line and Babar Azam doesn't seem to pick it up. Azam gets rapped on the pads as he attempts to flick and the umpire does raise his finger. Babar Azam takes the review and the UltraEdge shows that the ball did not hit the bat but the Ball Tracker does show that it was going on to miss the leg stump. How huge could this review prove to be?

And again, slightly slower and fuller, on middle and leg. Zaman gets a leading edge as he looks to flick it on the leg side. The ball goes towards point and they take the single this time.

On middle and Zaman looks to work it on the leg side, the ball takes the leading edge and goes towards cover-point.

Peach! Rashid Khan bowls the googly and the ball just whizzes past the outside edge of Fakhar Zaman's bat.

Fuller delivery, on off and driven through point. Asghar Afghan misfields and allows the single.

Rashid Khan immediately gets into the act. On middle and skidding on, Zaman looks to block but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg. They cross for a single.

Drinks! Despite losing Mohammad Rizwan early, Pakistan are in a very good position thanks to a good stand between the current pair. 76 are needed in 10 overs but 4 of those will be bowled by Rashid Khan. Are Afghanistan asking a bit too much from their champion bowler? Can he deliver? Here he comes to bowl with a slip in place...

FOUR! Banged in short, with not much pace on it and outside the off stump. Babar Azam just waits for it and ramps it over the keeper and into the third man fence for another boundary.

Full and around off, this is crunched through covers. The fielder at the deep point boundary runs to his right and slides in to keep it just to a couple.

Back of a length, on off, Zaman dabs it down towards short third man for a single.

Back of a length, around off. Azam pulls it towards deep square leg for another one.

Janat angles in a length ball on the middle stump line from around the wicket. Fakhar Zaman winds up for the big heave on the leg side but gets an inside edge down to backward square leg for a single.

Short of a length, outside off. Azam looks to free his arms and go over covers but manages to hit it towards mid off for a single.

Drop and run! Good-length ball, on off. Babar Azam just taps it back onto the deck and Fakhar Zaman calls him for a quick single. Fifty partnership is also up between these two. 13 off the over, a good one for Pakistan.

Slower bumper now, around the off stump. Azam is able to get on top of the bounce as he pulls it down in front of square leg. The fielder over there fumbles a bit and they come back for the second as well.

FOUR! Second boundary in the over and Babar Azam looks to have found his rhythm. A length ball, outside off stump. Azam just beautifully guides it past short third man and finds the fence.

Slower one, 105 kph and around the leg stump. Zaman waits for it and flicks it through square leg for an easy single.

On middle and this is worked through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Up and over from Babar Azam and the 50 is up for Pakistan. Full and wide, almost a half volley, Azam just slaps it over the point region and the ball races away into the fence.

Change of ends for Naveen-ul-Haq. He went for 7 in his first over.

Fakhar Zaman looks to make room and Janat follows him down the leg side. This is a length ball, angled into the body. Zaman looks to get it away on the leg side but gets hit in the ribs instead. Just 5 off the over.

Length again, on middle and tucked away towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

Slightly fuller and on middle, Fakhar Zaman pushes it down to long on and rotates the strike.

Width on offer this time, Azam manages to slap it through covers for just a single.

Shorter in length, around the off stump. Babar Azam pulls it towards wide long on and comes back for the second.

Karim Janat will bowl now.

A length ball, angled in at the off stump. Babar Azam punches it towards the cover region.

LEG BYE! Mujeeb drifts down the leg side, Azam looks to flick but the ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg. They get a leg bye. Mujeeb Ur Rahman finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-14-1. He is seen walking off the field, as the umpire is seen having a word with Mohammad Nabi.

Nicely bowled, this one came in after pitching. Quicker one, around off and Zaman looks to repeat the trick but gets an inside edge back onto the pads. The ball goes past the off stump and towards short third man. They get a single.

Smart batting from Fakhar Zaman. Slower and shorter, on off. Zaman just bunts it towards the vacant mid on region and picks up an easy two.

Flatter one, on middle and skidding on. Azam goes deep in his crease and works it through mid-wicket for a run.

Loopy full toss, outside off. Babar Azam will feel he missed out on that one as he fails to get it through covers.

On off and Zaman just nudges it towards the point region for a quick single.

On a length around off, Fakhar plays it down to cover-point and picks up a quick run. At the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan are 38/1. At the same stage, Afghanistan were 11 runs ahead but had also lost 3 wickets more. 110 needed off 84 balls.

On a length around leg, again at 130 kph, this time Fakhar fails to work it around off his pads. It drops in front of him on the pitch, Zaman is outside the crease but then returns after seeing the bowler attack the ball.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Naveen-ul-Haq loses his radar as he tries to bowl a pacy delivery. Clocks 130 kph but drifts a full ball down the leg side, Fakhar Zaman gets enough bat behind it and sends it screaming away wide of short fine leg for a boundary.

Short in length, around off and angling in at 104 kph, Babar stays back and pulls it in front of square leg for a single.

Slower one, short and around off, Zaman stays back inside the crease and calmly plays it down towards backward point for one.

Naveen-ul-Haq begins with a fuller delivery, on middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman flicks but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Change. Time for some pace now as Naveen-ul-Haq comes on.

Floated and full around off, Babar pushes it back to the bowler who makes a half-stop. 3-0-9-1, Mujeeb Ur Rahman has left his impact in the Powerplay.

Short in length on middle, Babar moves back to pull but fails to middle his shot properly. Finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Short and outside off, cut through the line but straight to point.

Flighted on middle, turned on the leg side for a single at square leg.

Hangs on the back foot and punches it in the gap at extra cover for a single.

Flatter and on middle, Babar helps it away on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.

SIX! High and handsome! No stopping this one. Flighted delivery, full and around off, Fakhar Zaman wears his dancing shoes to reach the pitch of the ball and clobbers it over wide long on for a biggie. 14 from the over!

FOUR! Aerial and just over the mid-wicket fielder. Floated and around off, Fakhar Zaman goes down on one knee and slog-sweeps it across the line. It beats the in-ring fielder's jump and races behind for a boundary.

Flatter and shorter around off, Babar punches it from the back foot to covers. The fielder in the ring dives to stop the ball but cannot prevent the single.

Tossed up around off, Fakhar Zaman leans forward and pushes it softly towards backward point. He looks at his skipper and then they cross for a single.

Fullish and on middle, Babar Azam whips it towards mid-wicket where the fielder dives across to his left but only manages a little fingertip on it. A single is taken.

Fuller and flatter on middle, Fakhar Zaman flicks it in the gap at mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

Turning down the leg side, from the middle stump line, Babar flicks it in the gap at mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs.

On middle, eased to square leg for a single.

Flatter and on off, Zaman stays back and hits it towards mid-wicket.

Fakhar Zaman walks out to bat.

OUT! Rizwan holes out and the crowd rejoice! Floated delivery, full and around middle, Mohammad Rizwan goes down on one knee for his favourite slog sweep but fails to pack his shot with enough power and elevation. It goes to deep square leg, Naveen-ul-Haq is stationed there, he maintains his balance and composure near the boundary line and judges the catch superbly. A rare flop show from Rizwan.

Very full and outside off, Rizwan digs it out back past the bowler to mid off.

Flatter and a touch shorter on off, Babar pushes it towards wide mid off for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Poor finish to the over from Mohammad Nabi. He bowls it down the leg side, fuller in length, Rizwan kneels and powers his sweep shot behind square leg for a boundary.

Flighted this time, full and on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

On the pads, tucked behind square leg for a single.

Fires it flat and around off at 100 kph, Rizwan plays it down to point where the fielder fumbles and they cross.

Risky single. Flighted and on middle, Babar clips it to mid-wicket and rushes to the other end. The fielder picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. It would have been tight in case of a direct hit. Maybe, Rahmanullah Gurbaz should have thrown the ball to the keeper as Mohammad Rizwan was late to take off and could have been short.

Tossed up and on middle, Mohammad Rizwan moves back and turns it in the gap at mid-wicket for a quick run.

Spin from the other end too. Mohammad Nabi will roll his arm over.

Straighter one on middle, helped towards mid-wicket for a single. A good start from Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Drift again for Mujeeb, full and around off, almost seam up and tailing into the right-hander, Rizwan tries to flick but fails to close the face of his bat in time. The ball takes the outer half of his blade and rolls back to the bowler.

Quicker delivery, short and around off at 101 kph, Babar goes back and pulls it to long on for a single.

The length is slightly short and it's around off, Babar punches it from the back foot to mid off.

Loopy and around off, a little bit of drift in the air as it lands, Mohammad Rizwan knocks it down to long on for a single. Pakistan are away!

Mujeeb Ur Rahman starts with a flighted ball on off, turning in, Rizwan stays back and pushes it out a bit aerially to the leg side.

Just a run from the final ball. Very full and around leg, Naib flicks it firmly to deep square leg for a single. Afghanistan have recovered well to reach 147/6 in their 20 overs.

There's some conversation going on between Babar Azam and the umpire. Azam definitely seems unhappy about the call and probably wants it checked. Nothing doing.

NO BALL! Shaheen Afridi tries to bowl a yorker but fails to nail it on this occasion. It's a high full toss outside off, Naib swings and misses. Called a no ball for being over the waist. Babar is not happy. Free Hit coming up...

Yorker on middle, at 90 mph, Nabi squeezes it out back past the bowler to long off. They cross for a run. Naib wants the second run but is sent back. A direct hit at the bowler's end would have found Nabi short.

Some great skills on show here. Shaheen Afridi again targets the pads of the batsman, bowls it at a sharp pace, at 91 mph, Gulbadin Naib tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to the leg side and they collect a leg bye.

A low dipping yorker around leg, Nabi moves his left leg out of the way and hits it across the line to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower one from Afridi, a bit short and around off, Gulbadin Naib is way too early into his pull shot and mistimes it towards mid off. A single is taken.

Fuller and on middle, Nabi stays deep inside the crease but only manages to drill it down to long on for a run.

Shaheen Afridi (3-0-16-1) to bowl the final over of the innings.

FOUR! It's raining boundaries in Dubai. Haris Rauf tries following the batsman down the leg side, it's short and Naib nails it behind, over short fine leg, for a boundary. 15 from the over, 36 in the last two.

Slower again, short and around off at 131 kph, Nabi drags his shot towards square leg for one.

FOUR! Afghanistan found some momentum in the last over and are riding it now. Short and around off at 130 kph, Mohammad Nabi hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it in front of square leg. No chance for the fielder in the deep.

FOUR! Streaky! Change in pace, full and around off at 76 mph, Mohammad Nabi opens up to heave it over the leg side but it takes the outside edge and beats short third man.

Hurries up the batsman with his extra pace. Short and on middle at 90 mph, Naib plays a mistimed pull shot in front of square leg for a single.

Haris Rauf serves it short and around off, at 126 kph, Nabi heaves it over mid-wicket for a run. The 50-run stand comes up off just 36 balls.

Nails the yorker around off, Nabi digs it out down towards long on for one. 21 from the over, a big one for Afghanistan!

Who will bowl the penultimate over? It's going to be Haris Rauf.

Fuller and around off, Naib swings his bat at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to the off side and they cross. It's a no ball for overstepping, this over is just going from bad to worse for Hasan.

FOUR! Hasan Ali has been taken to the cleaners in this over by Gulbadin Naib. Delivers it full and outside off, Naib gives it the full whack of his bat and smashes it down towards long on. The fielder in the deep, Shadab Khan, runs across to his right, puts in a dive but it falls wide and goes to the fence.

Terrific stop in the deep by Fakhar Zaman, saves two for his team. Fuller in length and outside off, it's lofted over extra cover. Zaman stops it near the fence with a lovely dive.

Short in length, slower in pace, Gulbadin Naib drags his attempted heave over the leg side to deep square leg. Two more.

FOUR! Afghanistan are targeting this over from Hasan Ali. This one is fuller and around off, Gulbadin Naib stays deep inside the crease and whips it to the cow corner fence.

SIX! Gulbadin Naib has sent one in the stands. Short in length, outside off, Naib stays back, fetches it and dispatches it over square leg for a biggie. Smart batting, targeted the short boundary.

Hasan Ali (3-1-17-1) comes in to finish off his spell.

Slower again, a touch short and around off, Naib heaves it over square leg for a run and again Mohammad Nabi will be off strike.

A fiery delivery, very full and around off at 92 mph, Gulbadin Naib drives it straight and it goes on to hit the stumps at the other end.

Slower one now, at 80 mph, on a length and outside off, Gulbadin Naib is deceived, pushes at it early and misses.

Beaten all ends up! A 91 mph delivery, on a good length around off and holding its line, Gulbadin Naib is opened up like a can of beans as he tries to work it around. Gets beaten comprehensively.

Delivers it on a length around off, Nabi taps it down to point for a single.

Haris Rauf (2-0-19-1) is back into the attack.

Slower one, full and around off at 80 mph, Naib clips it off the inner half to fine leg for a single.

Shaheen Afridi nails his yorker around off, Mohammad Nabi brings his bat down in time as he digs it out back towards the bowler. Afridi speeds forward, collects the ball and hits the stumps at the striker's end. Nabi though is safely in.

Back of a length, on top of off, Naib goes on his toes and pushes it in the gap at covers for one.

A touch short and around off, Nabi opens the face and pushes it towards backward point. Shadab Khan dives across to his right and makes a good partial stop. The batsmen cross. 100 up!

Around off on a length at 144 kph, Naib stays back and steers it to the right of point for one.

FOUR! Fuller in length around leg at 89 mph, Gulbadin Naib picks it off his pads and clips it neatly behind square leg for a boundary.

Wide called for height! Shaheen bends his back to go short but it goes way over the head of the batsman. The camera pans to Boom Boom Afridi and the crowd goes bonkers.

Shaheen Afridi speeds in and delivers it on a length around off, Gulbadin Naib gets behind the line and pushes it back to the bowler.

Shaheen Afridi (2-0-8-1) is brought back into the attack.

Fractionally short and around off, Naib gets across the stumps a bit and works it behind square leg for one. 30 more balls left in the innings, how many more can Afghanistan add to their total?

Serves it on a length around off, shaping back on, Gulbadin Naib stays back and pushes it away towards covers.

Fuller and on off, angling in at 86 mph, Naib flicks it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Back of a length around off, at 85 mph, Mohammad Nabi lifts his front leg as he rocks back and whips it behind square leg. Takes a single, wants the second run but it's not on.

Play and a miss! Pace on, this time. Shortish and outside off at 86 mph, Nabi rocks back to slam it over point but misses.

FOUR! Nabi is playing a fine little knock here. Hasan Ali goes for the slower one but serves it a little too full outside off, Mohammad Nabi picks it up and smacks it over covers for a boundary.

Wide! Hasan Ali starts a new over by slipping a full ball down the leg side, Nabi tries his best to get some bat behind it but fails.

Hasan Ali (2-1-10-1) is back into the attack.

On the pads, Nabi tucks it to deep square leg for one.

Good-length ball, on off. Nabi gets caught on the crease and gets a leading edge on the off side.

FOUR! A rank half volley, outside off stump. Mohammad Nabi sits deep in his crease and creams it over extra cover for a boundary. Top shot.

WIDE! Length again, on leg and angling further down. Nabi looks to pull but misses and the umpire signals a wide. The bowler doesn't look happy as he thinks Nabi got something on it. Was there any bat? Mohammad Rizwan shakes his head as he is not sure. Rauf fails to convince his skipper. No DRS taken. Nothing was found on the replays later on.

Back of a length, around off, Nabi hops on the back foot and dabs it down towards cover-point.

Length again, hitting the top of middle. Mohammad Nabi stays solid in defense.

FOUR! Edgy boundary but Mohammad Nabi won't mind at all. Good-length ball, outside off. Nabi just hangs back and looks to play it really late. The ball goes off the outside edge and races away into the vacant third man boundary.

Change. Haris Rauf (1-0-9-1) is back on.

Slightly shorter, outside off. Naib taps it on the off side. Shadab Khan is done with his 4-over spell, 1 for 22 from him this evening.

Gulbadin Naib is the next batter.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Six and out for Najibullah Zadran and Shadab Khan has the last laugh. Here comes the googly, on off and just turns away sharply from the left-hander. Zadran looks to open the face of the bat and guide it behind but ends up getting a faint edge. Mohammad Rizwan takes a sharp catch behind the stumps and Najibullah Zadran immediately starts to walk. The finger has also gone up. Afghanistan are in danger of getting all out inside 20 overs.

SIX! Najibullah Zadran has had enough of it and finally decides to break the shackles. On the pads and Zadran slog-sweeps it over the square leg fence for a biggie. The Afghan spectators in the crowd get the chance to make some noise.

Tossed up, on middle again. Mohammad Nabi nudges this one through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Slight turn on this occasion. On middle and Nabi blocks it out.

Floated up, on the pads. Nabi works it through mid-wicket and races back for the second. Haris Rauf attacks the ball coming in from the deep, has a shy at the bowler's end but it hits the bat of Zadran. Good running between the wickets.

A maiden! Fullish ball, around off and Zadran drives it towards point. Shadab Khan puts in the dive and doesn't allow a run. The energy in the field from Pakistan is brilliant.

A touch short, on off and this is crunched but straight to point.

Back of a length, around off and Zadran can't get it through the cover region.

Seventh dot on the trot if we count the previous over as well! A well-directed short ball, on middle, Najibullah Zadran ducks under it.

Length again, on off, but it's the slower ball this time. Zadran blocks it out.

Ali hurls across a length ball from around the wicket and bowls it on off stump. Najibullah Zadran defends it off the front foot.

Hasan Ali is brought back into the attack.

A wrong 'un to finish. Mohammad Nabi keeps it out towards cover-point.

Quicker one, on off. Nabi stays solid in defense.

Flighted ball, outside off but Nabi can't get it through the gap at covers.

On a length, around off and turning away. Nabi caresses it off the back foot towards mid off.

Slower through the air, on the pads. Zadran nudges it towards mid-wicket for another single.

Tossed up, on middle. Nabi works it towards wide long on for a single.

Excellent end to the over from Imad Wasim, a wicket and a single off it. Flatter one, on off and Zadran defends it back to the bowler. Wasim ends with figures of 4-0-25-2.

On middle and flicked through square leg for one.

Flatter delivery, outside off and this one just straightens after pitching. Nabi looks to cut but is beaten on the outside edge.

Slowed up, around off and Nabi watchfully keeps it out on the off side.

Flatter one, darted in on off stump. Nabi taps it off the back foot to point.

Drinks break! Pakistan would be very happy with the start they have got. The batters of Afghanistan have come out with aggressive intent. While they have gotten the boundaries, they have also lost wickets. What they need now is a partnership otherwise this strategy of slogging away will not get them very far. A lot will depend on Mohammad Nabi if Afghanistan are to get to a good score on this track, which is looking like a really good one to bat on. Here comes Mohammad Nabi as the next batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Just when a partnership was brewing between these two, Karim Janat has given his wicket away. Imad Wasim tosses this one up, outside off and Janat goes after it, looking to slog sweep. The ball bounces a bit extra and Janat gets a top edge which is skied towards the deep mid-wicket region. Fakhar Zaman is stationed over there and takes the simplest of catches. Half the Afghanistan side is back in the shed now and Wasim has his second.

FOUR! This time Najibullah Zadran takes full advantage. Another one down the leg side, Zadran goes deep in his crease and tucks it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Zadran will feel he missed out on this one. Down the leg side, Zadran flicks it straight to the man at short fine leg.

Nicely tossed up, on middle, Zadran defends it to mid off.

FOUR! Cheeky from Najibullah Zadran and he gets a much-needed boundary. A full toss, on middle, Zadran reverse-sweeps it behind point and the ball races away to the fence.

Flatter delivery, on off and blocked out by Zadran from the back foot.

Tossed up, on middle. Janat drives it through cover, with the spin, for a single.

Floated, down the leg side. Najibullah Zadran rocks back and helps it around the corner but Haris Rauf races to his left from deep square leg and puts in the dive, keeping it just to a couple.

Darted in around middle and leg, Janat pushes it down to long on for one.

Outside off and this one turns away a bit, Janat caresses it towards covers.

Flatter ball, on the pads. Zadran tucks it towards short fine leg for a quick single.

Flighted ball, around off and this is squeezed to point.

Floated up, on a length and on middle, Zadran looks to work it away on the leg side but it takes the leading edge and lobs to the off side. Falls safely.

Change. Imad Wasim (2-0-20-1) is back on.

Dot to end the over. This is shorter but chopped straight towards point. Excellent over from the leggie.

Nicely flighted, outside off. Janat drives it to covers.

Shorter ball, outside off. Janat chops it towards point.

Loopy ball, on off. Blocked out.

Shorter again, around off. Janat pushes it wide of sweeper cover. The fielder gets to his left, dives and keeps it to a couple.

Shorter ball, outside off. Cut away to point.

Shadab Khan comes in to roll his arms now.

FOUR! Cracking shot to end the Powerplay! Short of a length, outside off. Zadran cuts it past the diving point fielder for a boundary. Afghanistan have had a good start in terms of runs scored, but would have liked to lose a couple of fewer wickets.

On a length, around off. Zadran taps it towards the cover region.

Quick running. Length ball, on off. Janat pushes it towards mid off and takes off for a single.

A perfect yorker, on the pads. All that Janat can do is block it out.

On a length, around off. Blocked out. Well, it is called a no ball by the TV umpire as Hasan Ali has overstepped the line. Free Hit coming up.

FOUR! Poor ball and punished! Length ball, down the leg side. Janat clips it past short fine leg for a boundary.

Najibullah Zadran comes in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one falls and Pakistan have the game in their firm control now. Short of a length, around off, Gurbaz goes for the pull but gets the top edge. Babar Azam runs across to his right from mid on and takes it with ease. The tactic of slogging their way out of trouble is not working for Afghanistan. One wicket apiece for all the bowlers who have bowled so far for Pakistan. Team effort. Not sure what Afghanistan are trying to achieve though. They are trying to fight fire with fire but losing wickets at regular intervals won't help their cause.

A change from both ends as Hasan Ali comes into the attack.

SIX! Oh, my word! What a way that is to get off the mark! Short ball, outside off. Janat gets on his toes. Perhaps, he even jumps a bit and cuts it way, way over the point fence.

On a length, around off. Janat is solid in his defence of this one.

A fiery yorker, on off. Janat gets his bat down in time and blocks this one. That was bowled at 153 kph, the equal fastest delivery of the tournament so far.

Karim Janat, the younger brother of Asghar Afghan, is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Haris Rauf gets his man now! Asghar Afghan goes back after scoring only 10 runs. Length ball, around off at 143 kph, Asghar looks to work it away but gets the leading edge. The ball goes back to the bowler and Rauf takes it with ease. Phew, what an eventful game this has been so far!

Just a single as this is played down to third man. Tell you what, every single run is getting cheered by the Afghanistan fans.

Length ball, on the pads. Gurbaz works it past square leg. They run back for the second and Gurbaz has to dive as the throw comes in from the fielder.

Haris Rauf comes into the bowling attack now.

FOUR! Almost a wicket! Full ball, on the pads. Aghan flicks it aerially. The man at short fine leg dives to his left but cannot get there. The ball runs to the fence. 17 from the over, an eventful one!

SIX! That is out of here! Tossed up, around leg. Afghan comes down the track and whips it over the square leg fence.

BIG MIX-UP! Pakistan have failed to take advantage of that situation. That should have been a run out! Darted on the pads. Afghan gets hit on the pads while looking to flick. The ball goes to the leg side. Gurbaz is off for the single but Afghan is going nowhere. Rizwan runs to the ball and all he needs to do is throw the ball back to Wasim. But the throw is a wild one. Wasim dives but only gets his fingertips to it. Gurbaz gets back safely in the end. Rizwan had more time than he realized.

Flatter ball, on off. Afghan looks to work it to the leg side but gets the leading edge to covers.

Darted on the pads. Gurbaz works it past short fine leg for one.

SIX! Wow! That is such a clean strike! Tossed up, on off. Gurbaz gets low and slog-sweeps it. The ball goes miles in the air and over the deep mid-wicket fence. A top shot.

A low full toss, outside off. Afghan offers the full face of the bat and plays it to mid on.

On a length, on the pads. Afghan works it to short fine leg.

Asghar Afghan is in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Shaheen Afridi gets his man and the crowd goes wild! On a length again, on middle. Mohammad Shahzad looks to go over mid on but does not middle it at all. The ball goes aerially to mid on and Babar Azam takes it with ease. Afghanistan have lost both their power-hitters and this is not the start they would have wanted after winning the toss.

Full ball, on off. Pushed to covers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz sets off for a run but is sent back.

FOUR! Up and over! First boundary of the game! Full ball, outside off. Mohammad Shahzad hits it over covers and the ball races to the fence.

A short ball, down the leg side. It is ducked under and is called a wide.

Length ball, on off. Mohammad Shahzad taps it to the off side, looks for a run but is sent back.

Darted on the pads and it is blocked out. A very good first over by Imad Wasim.

Loopy ball, on off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks it with ease.

Darted on the pads. Mohammad Shahzad works it past square leg for one.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is called early to the crease. He comes in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! The dangerous Hazratullah Zazai is gone for a duck! Tossed up, wider outside off. He goes for the slog sweep but gets the top edge. The ball goes over short third man. Haris Rauf runs after it, circles under it and takes a very good catch! A dream start for Pakistan in this game.

Flatter ball, around off. Zazai taps it to short third man. Dot ball.

Darted on the pads. Worked past square leg for one.

Flatter ball, down the leg side. Mohammad Shahzad looks to flick but misses. Wide called.

Who will bowl from the other end? It's going to be Imad Wasim.

After a lot of thought, Babar Azam has decided to take the review for an LBW decision. UltraEdge shows that there's no bat involved and Ball Tracker confirms that the impact was outside the leg stump. The onfield decision of NOT OUT stays and Hazratullah Zazai can continue. Pakistan lose the review as well.

NOT OUT! A full toss, around leg. Zazai looks to heave but gets hit on the pads. There is a big appeal but turned down. Babar Azam takes the review but the impact is outside leg.

Length ball, around off. Mohammad Shahzad drives it past covers for one.

A fiery yorker, on the pads. Zazai is beaten and gets hit on the pads. There is a big appeal by Shaheen Afridi but the umpire is not interested. Pakistan do not take the review. Maybe, sliding down leg.

On a length, around off. Shahzad runs it to third man for a single.

Beaten! Fuller ball, outside off. Mohammad Shahzad walks down the track to drive but gets no bat on it. Tell you what, the crowd is really getting behind Shaheen Afridi here!

Full ball, on the pads. Zazai misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls away and they sneak in a leg bye.

Full ball, down the leg side. Zazai misses the flick. Wide called.

We are done with the national anthems and ready for play. The umpires are out in the middle as the Pakistani team can be seen in a huddle before taking the field. Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai are the openers for Afghanistan. All the players are seen placing their hands on the heart to show their support towards the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. Shaheen Afridi has the new ball in hand. Let's play...

We are almost ready for play! The two teams are out in the middle for their respective national anthems. It will be Afghanistan's national anthem first, followed by Pakistan's.

Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan, says that the mood in the camp is quite good. Adds that they want to continue that momentum forward. Says cricket is a team game but it is good to have match-winners in the side. Adds that they do not take any team for granted and that they are playing the same side.

Mohammad Nabi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that they will bat first as it looks dry at the top and looks good for batting first. Adds that they will look to put a good total on the board and try to defend it. Adds that national duty is totally different from franchise cricket and everyone works hard for this and they know their opponents well. Informs that they are going with the winning XI from the last match.

Pakistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi.

Afghanistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

TOSS - We are all set for the coin toss. Both the skippers are out in the middle. Up goes the coin and it lands in favor of Afghanistan. They will bat first!

Afghanistan may be the least experienced side out of all the sub-continent teams but they have no shortage of world-class players when it comes to the shortest format of the game. Their openers Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai pack a punch at the top of the order but their middle order has run-scorers like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Najibullah Zadran, who were the key in their last match against Scotland. The spin-twins, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up nine out of the 10 wickets in their last outing and can trouble the best of batting lineups. Afghanistan have a very well-balanced squad, especially for these sort of conditions and will be on a high after thrashing an in-form Scotland team by 130 runs. Yes, Pakistan do have the upper hand but it will be no surprise if Afghanistan are the team to halt their charge. Who will come out on top? Find out soon. Toss and team news in a bit.

Pakistan started off with a bang against arch-rivals India as they won by 10 wickets and then in another high-profile clash, they got over the line with ease in the end against New Zealand. Mohammad Rizwan continued his good form from the previous match and got into the thirties but the last match was all about the veteran Shoaib Malik and finisher Asif Ali, both of whom played contrasting yet match-winning knocks. Their bowling was right on the money again and it wouldn't be a surprise if Pakistan continue their red-hot streak.

Hello and a warm welcome to match number 24 in the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan will take on Pakistan in another mouth-watering sub-continental clash. The two neighbours have been in scintillating form so far in this year's competition and in this match everyone will be expecting more of the same from both these teams.

... MATCH DAY ...