The first series win against Pakistan and first ever series win against any top 6 cricket teams, Afghanistan has displayed yet another impressive performance with both bat and ball to beat Pakistan by seven wickets in second Twenty 20 international (T20I) with one ball remaining and take unassailable 2-0 lead in three match series.
The win by Afghanistan has created history with the war torn country having never beat traditional rivals in any international match before has now won back to back matches with Pakistan fielding a second fiddle side to rest main players to manage workload.
The recently concluded PSL held in Pakistan, where runs were easy to score and high scoring matches were witnessed, the Sharjah pitch tested both bowlers and batters with variable bounce and more turn. Pakistani batters continue to struggle against the pace and spin of Afghanistan, led by world star Rashid Khan.
It may be argued that Pakistan rested their main players but the PSL stars who tore the bowling of opposition were helpless against afghan bowlers. the inexperienced top order flattered against quality Afghani bowling with Abdullah Shafique becoming the first men’s batter in T20 history to record a fourth straight duck. The Afghani spinners and fast bowlers mixed their pace and length while their counterparts were unable to deliver at crucial junctures.
Pakistan’s recent performance in the T20 series against Afghanistan has been nothing short of disappointing and lacklustre. While Pakistan has always been known for its exceptional talent in the sport of cricket, the team’s recent performance has left fans questioning their abilities and commitment to the game.
The T20 series against Afghanistan was a critical one for Pakistan, but Pakistan’s performance in the series so far has been not up to the mark and they ended up losing the series to Afghanistan.
One of the most significant issues with Pakistan’s performance was their batting. The Pakistani batting line-up failed to perform, with the team posting low scores that were easily chased down by Afghanistan.
The team’s top-order batsmen, including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Muhammad Haris, failed to fire in the series, with most of them getting out for low scores. This put immense pressure on the middle order, which was not equipped to handle the pressure and folded quickly. Pakistan’s inability to build partnerships and post competitive scores was one of the primary reasons for their defeat in the series.
Another significant issue with Pakistan’s performance was their fielding. The team dropped several catches and missed run-out opportunities, which proved to be costly in the end. Fielding is an essential aspect of modern-day cricket, and Pakistan’s poor fielding performance is a cause for concern.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s bowling was inconsistent throughout the series. While the team had some brilliant spells, they were also guilty of leaking runs at critical moments. The bowlers failed to put enough pressure on the Afghan batsmen, allowing them to score freely and chase down Pakistan’s low totals.
Overall, Pakistan’s performance in the T20 series against Afghanistan was subpar and disappointing. The team failed to execute their game plan and lacked the necessary discipline and focus to compete at the highest level. While the loss is certainly a setback, the chance to new players has provided Pakistan with a clear picture of the raw talent which will be polished and play for Pakistan at the highest level.