PAK vs AFG: Pakistan bounce back to avoid T20I series whitewash

An all-round solid performance by Pakistan helped them avoid series whitewash against Afghanistan in Sharjah on Monday. 

After losing first two T20Is, Pakistan displayed a decent show in third and final game of the series. 

Pakistani bowlers were set to defend 183 runs and they managed to do it brilliantly to help Pakistan finish the series 2-1. They beat Afghanistan by 66 runs.

Ihsanullah provided breakthrough in fifth over after he clean bowled Rahmanullah Gurbaz. He was joined by Mohammad Wasim Jr and skipper Shadab Khan into the attack. The two bowlers picked quick wickets to help Ihsanullah roar from the other end. The speedster was quick enough to shatter the confidence of Afghanistan's batters. 

Najibullah Zadran was hit on his jaws by Ihsanullah after which he had to walk off the field. His concussion replacement Azmatullah Omarzai came to bat at number 10 but until then, Pakistan almost reached to a much-need victory. 

Shadab took three wickets and registered a record of becoming the first-ever Pakistani to take 100 wickets in T20Is. He bagged crucial wickets of IbrahiM Zadran, Usman Ghani and Mujeeb Ur Rehman. 

Ihsanullah and Shadab bagged three wickets each while Zaman Khan and Imad Wasim shared a wicket apiece. 

Omarzai scored highest 21 runs but it couldn't help Afghanistan as they were bowled out for 116 runs. 

Earlier, young Saim Ayub led the batting charge for Pakistan. Saim, who became PSL 8 sensation, failed to score in first two matches but today he got confidence and scored 49 off 40 balls. He struck four boundaries and two sixes during his stay at the crease. 

Iftikhar Ahmed, who replaced Azam Khan, scored crucial 31 runs including two maximums. Shadab took responsibility with the bat too as the right-handed batter contributed 28 off 17 balls. 

Mujeeb took two wickets while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid and Karim Janat bagged a wicket each. 

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