Final-over sixes take Pakistan, Sri Lanka into Asia Cup final

After another nail-biting thriller, Pakistan defeated Afghanistan with Naseem Shah hitting two big sixes in the first two balls of the last over of their Asia Cup Super 4 match in Sharjah on Wednesday.

The two sixes from Shah also ensured that defending champions were ousted from the tournament, and confirmed a Sri Lanka versus Pakistan final on Sunday.

Pakistan restricted Afghanistan to 129 for 6 in 20 overs, and found themselves comfortably placed on 85 for 3 after 15 overs, with 45 runs needed off the final five overs.

Afghanistan surged back with 6 wickets for 34 runs, to leave Pakistan needing 11 off the final over.

Fazalhaq Farooqi who had conceded just 19 runs and taken three wickets in his three previous overs, delivered the final over and was punished for bowling two full-tosses by Pakistani fast bowler Shah.

A 42-run partnership in 41 balls between Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan had rejuvenated Paksitan's innings, tottering on 45 for 3 in the ninth over, before Ahmed fell with the total on 87.

Khan then went on to contribute a innings high 36 off 26 deliveries, with Asif Ali clubbing two sixes for 16 off 8 before Shah's heroics in the final over.

Scores:

Afghanistan 129 for 6 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 35, Hazratullah Zazai 21, Rashid Khan 18 n.o., Haris Rauf 2 for 26)

Pakistan 131 for 9 in 19.2 overs (Shadab Khan 36, Iftikhar Ahmed 30, Fazalhaq Farooqi 3 for 31, Fareed Ahmad 3 for 31)