Teenage Naseem Shah’s clutch sixes on back-to-back balls of the final over helped Pakistan defeat Afghanistan by one wicket in their Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2022 in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Heading into the final over, Pakistan needed 11 runs with just a wicket in hand, thanks to an astonishing batting collapse. However, the 19-year-old Naseem, whose primary job is that of a pacer and who came in to bat at number 10 when all seemed lose, turned the match on its head.

As Fazalhaq Farooqi went searching for yorkers but only found full tosses, Naseem took full advantage and dispatched both over the boundary line for maximums, triggering a sequence of wild celebrations worthy of wining the entire tournament.

The youngster’s heroics were required after a batting collapse saw Pakistan go from 87-3 to 118-9, losing six wickets for just 31 runs. Among their many batting failures was their captain Babar Azam, who failed for the fourth straight match in Asia Cup.

Shadab Khan was the top scorer for Pakistan with 36 off 26.

Earlier, fast bowler Haris Rauf led an inspired Pakistan bowling attack that limited Afghanistan to 129-6.

Rauf took 2-26 after Pakistan elected to field first knowing victory would secure a place in Sunday’s final against Sri Lanka and knock India out of the T20 tournament.

Afghanistan struggled to put together any significant partnerships, with Ibrahim Zadran (35) the lone batsman to put up some genuine fight.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz started cautiously before hitting pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain for two straight sixes at the end of the second over.

Hazratullah Zazai joined in with a few boundaries but soon lost his partner after Rauf bowled Gurbaz with an angling delivery that clipped the off stump.

Zazai’s innings was cut short by Hasnain who bowled the left-handed opener on 21.

Ibrahim and Karim Janat attempted to rebuild against a disciplined Pakistan spin attack, which kept the scoring to under seven an over.

Janat looked to launch left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz into the stands but succeeded only in skying to long-on.

Afghanistan kept losing wickets and fast bowler Naseem Shah bowled Mohammad Nabi for a first-ball duck in the captain’s 100th T20 international as Afghanistan slipped to 91-5.

Ibrahim took Afghanistan past 100 but soon fell caught behind to Hasnain.Rashid Khan added some runs to the total, hitting Rauf for a four and six in the final over to finish unbeaten on 18 off 15 balls.

Pakistan WON! End of live thread

131-9 after 19.2 overs, Farooqi to Shah, 6 runs

125-9 after 19.1 overs, Farooqi to Shah, 6 runs

119-9 after 19 overs, Ahmad to Shah, 1 run

118-9 after 18.5 overs: Ahmad to Asif, OUT

118-8 after 18.4 overs: Ahmad to Asif, 6

112-8 after 18.3 overs: Ahmad to Shah, 1

112-8 after 18.2 overs: Ahmad to Shah, 1 wide

112-8 after 18.2 overs: Ahmad to Rauf, OUT

111-7 after 18.1 overs: Ahmad to Asif, 1 run

109-7 after 18 overs: Farooqi to Khushdil, OUT

109-6 after 17.5 overs: Farooqi to Asif, 1

108-6 after 17.4 overs: Farooqi to Khushdil, 1

107-6 after 17.3 overs: Farooqi to Asif, 1 run

106-6 after 17.2 overs: Farooqi to Khushdil, 1 leg bye

105-6 after 17.1 overs: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Nawaz, OUT

Asif Ali 7 (3), Mohammad Nawaz 4 (4)

105-5 after 17 overs: Khan to Asif Ali, no run

105-5 after 16.5 overs: Khan to Nawaz, 1 leg bye

104-5 after 16.4 overs: Khan to Asif Ali, 1 run

103-5 after 16.3 overs: Khan to Asif Ali, SIX runs

97-5 after 16.2 overs: Khan to Shadab, OUT

97-4 after 16.1 overs: Khan to Shadab, SIX runs

Mohammad Nawaz 4 (3), Shadab Khan 30 (24)

91-4 after 16 overs: Ahmad to Nawaz, no run

91-4 after 15.5 overs: Ahmad to Nawaz, no run

91-4 after 15.4 overs: Ahmad to Nawaz, FOUR runs

87-4 after 15.3 overs: Ahmad to Iftikhar, OUT

87-3 after 15.2 overs: Ahmad to Shadab, 1 run

86-3 after 15.1 overs: Ahmad to Iftikhar, 1 run

Iftikhar Ahmed 29 (31), Shadab Khan 29 (23)

85-3 after 15 overs: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar, 1 run

84-3 after 14.5 overs: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar, no run

84-3 after 14.4 overs: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar, no run

84-3 after 14.3 overs: Rashid Khan to Shadab, 1 run

83-3 after 14.2 overs: Rashid Khan to Shadab, no run

83-3 after 14.1 overs: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar, 1 run

Iftikhar Ahmed 27 (27), Shadab Khan 28 (21)

82-3 after 14 overs: Fareed Ahmad to Iftikhar, 1 run

81-3 after 13.5 overs: Fareed Ahmad to Iftikhar, no run

81-3 after 13.4 overs: Fareed Ahmad to Shadab, 1 run

80-3 after 13.3 overs: Fareed Ahmad to Shadab, no run

80-3 after 13.2 overs: Fareed Ahmad to Shadab, no run

80-3 after 13.1 overs: Fareed Ahmad to Iftikhar, 1 run

Shadab Khan 27 (18), Iftikhar Ahmed 25 (24)

79-3 after 13 overs: Mujeeb to Shadab, no run

79-3 after 12.5 overs: Mujeeb to Shadab, no run

79-3 after 12.4 overs: Mujeeb to Shadab, SIX runs

73-3 after 12.3 overs: Mujeeb to Shadab, no run

73-3 after 12.2 overs: Mujeeb to Shadab, no run

73-3 after 12.1 overs: Mujeeb to Iftikhar, 1 run

Shadab Khan 21 (13), Iftikhar Ahmed 24 (23)

72-3 after 12 overs: Nabi to Shadab, 2 runs

70-3 after 11.5 overs: Nabi to Shadab, FOUR runs

66-3 after 11.4 overs: Nabi to Shadab, no run

66-3 after 11.3 overs: Nabi to Shadab, SIX runs

60-3 after 11.2 overs: Nabi to Iftikhar, 1 run

59-3 after 11.1 overs: 58-3 after 11 overs

Shadab Khan 8 (8), Iftikhar Ahmed 23 (22)

58-3 after 11 overs: Azmatullah to Shadab, 1 run

57-3 after 10.5 overs: Azmatullah to Iftikhar, 1 run

56-3 after 10.4 overs: Azmatullah to Iftikhar, no run

56-3 after 10.3 overs: Azmatullah to Shadab, 1 run

55-3 after 10.2 overs: Azmatullah to Iftikhar, 1 runs

54-3 after 10.1 overs: Azmatullah to Iftikhar, 2 runs

Shadab Khan 6 (6) Iftikhar Ahmed 19 (18)

52-3 after 10 overs: Nabi to Shadab: 2 runs

50-3 after 9.5 overs: Nabi to Iftikhar: 1 run

49-3 after 9.4 overs: Nabi to Iftikhar: No run

49-3 after 9.3 overs: Nabi to Shadab: 1 run

48-3 after 9.2 overs: Nabi to Shadab: No run

48-3 after 9.1 overs: Nabi to Shadab: No run

Shadab Khan 3 (4), Iftikhar Ahmed 18 (17)

48-3 after 9 overs: Rashid to Shadab, 1 run.

47-3 after 8.5 overs: Rashid to Shadab, 2 runs.

45-3 after 8.4 overs: Rashid to Rizwan (20), OUT.

45-2 after 8.3 overs: Rashid to Rizwan, no run.

45-2 after 8.2 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, 1 run.

44-2 after 8.1 overs: Rashid to Rizwan, 1 run.

Mohammad Rizwan 19 (23), Iftikhar Ahmed 17 (15)

43-2 after 8 overs: Nabi to Rizwan, 1 run.

42-2 after 7.5 overs: Nabi to Iftikhar, 1 run.

41-2 after 7.4 overs: Nabi to Iftikhar, no run.

41-2 after 7.3 overs: Nabi to Rizwan, 1 run.

40-2 after 7.2 overs: Nabi to Rizwan, no run.

40-2 after 7.1 overs: Nabi to Iftikhar, 1 run.

Iftikhar Ahmed 15 (12), Mohammad Rizwan 17 (20)

39-2 after 7 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, 1 run.

38-2 after 6.5 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, no run.

38-2 after 6.4 overs: Rashid to Rizwan, 1 run.

37-2 after 6.3 overs: Rashid to Rizwan, no run.

37-2 after 6.2 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, 1 run.

36-2 after 6.1 overs: Rashid to Rizwan, 1 run.

Iftikhar Ahmed 13 (9), Mohammad Rizwan 15 (17)

35-2 after 6 overs: Mujeeb to Iftikhar, no run.

35-2 after 5.5 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, 1 run.

34-2 after 5.4 overs: Mujeeb to Iftikhar, 1 run.

33-2 after 5.3 overs: Mujeeb to Iftikhar, no run.

33-2 after 5.2 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, 1 run.

32-2 after 5.1 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, no run.

Iftikhar Ahmed 12 (6), Mohammad Rizwan 14 (14)

32-2 after 5 overs: Fareed to Iftikhar, 4 runs.

28-2 after 4.5 overs: Fareed to Rizwan, 1 run.

27-2 after 4.4 overs: Fareed to Rizwan, no run.

27-2 after 4.3 overs: Fareed to Iftikhar, 3 runs.

24-2 after 4.2 overs: Fareed to Iftikhar, 4 runs.

20-2 after 4.1 overs: Fareed to Iftikhar, no run.

Mohammad Rizwan 13 (12), Iftikhar Ahmed 1 (2)

20-2 after 4 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, no run.

20-2 after 3.5 overs: Mujeeb to Iftikhar, 1 run.

19-2 after 3.4 overs: Mujeeb to Iftikhar, no run.

19-2 after 3.3 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, 1 run.

18-2 after 3.2 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, no run.

18-2 after 3.1 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman (5), OUT.

Mohammad Rizwan 12 (9), Fakhar Zaman 5 (8)

18-1 after 3 overs: Farooqi to Rizwan, 4 runs.

14-1 after 2.5 overs: Farooqi to Rizwan, no run.

14-1 after 2.4 overs: Farooqi to Rizwan, no run.

14-1 after 2.3 overs: Farooqi to Rizwan, 6 runs.

8-1 after 2.2 overs: Farooqi to Rizwan, no run.

8-1 after 2.1 overs: Farooqi to Rizwan, no run.

Mohammad Rizwan 2 (3), Fakhar Zaman 5 (8)

8-1 after 2 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, 1 run.

7-1 after 1.5 overs: Mujeeb to Rizwan, no run.

7-1 after 1.4 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, 1 run.

6-1 after 1.3 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, no run.

6-1 after 1.2 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, no run.

6-1 after 1.1 overs: Mujeeb to Zaman, no run.

Fakhar Zaman 5 (4), Mohammad Rizwan 1 (1)

6-1 after 1 over: Farooqi to Zaman, 1 run.

5-1 after 0.5 over: Farooqi to Zaman, no run.

5-1 after 0.4 over: Farooqi to Zaman, 4 runs.

1-1 after 0.3 over: Farooqi to Zaman, no run.

1-1 after 0.2 over: Farooqi to Azam (0), OUT LBW.

1-0 after 0.1 over: Farooqi to Rizwan, 1 run.

Story at the break: Afghanistan set a target of 130 runs for Pakistan in their Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2022 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The Mohammad Nabi-led side, put in to bat first, was quick off the blocks and their openers gave a fair few squares for Pakistan bowlers early on. However, once Rahmanullah Gurbaz (17) and Hazratallah Zazai (21) departed, their innings got derailed.

Ibrahim Zadran top scored with 35 but constant fall of wickets around him meant that the Afghans were able to post just 129 for 6 — a far cry from the total they were initially expected to reach when their openers were on song.

For Pakistan, spin duo of Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab were excellent and stingy again, with both picking up a wicket each.

However, the pace was just as impressive, with Naseem Shah finishing with 19-1 and Haris Rauf 26-2 in their four allotted overs each.

129-6 after 20 overs: Rauf to Rashid, no run.

129-6 after 19.5 overs: Rauf to Rashid, no run.

129-6 after 19.4 overs: Rauf to Rashid, 4 runs.

125-6 after 19.3 overs: Rauf to Rashid, 6 runs.

119-6 after 19.2 overs: Rauf to Rashid, no run.

119-6 after 19.1 overs: Rauf to Rashid, no run.

Azmatullah Omarzai 10 (10), Rashid Khan 8 (9)

119-6 after 19 overs: Naseem to Azmatullah, no run.

119-6 after 18.5 overs: Naseem to Rashid, 1 run.

118-6 after 18.4 overs: Naseem to Rashid, no run.

118-6 after 18.3 overs: Naseem to Azmatullah, 1 run.

117-6 after 18.2 overs: Naseem to Azmatullah, runs.

113-6 after 18.1 overs: Naseem to Azmatullah, no run.

Azmatullah Omarzai 5 (6), Rashid Khan 7 (7)

113-6 after 18 overs: Hasnain to Azmatullah, 1 run.

112-6 after 17.5 overs: Hasnain to Rashid, 1 run.

111-6 after 17.4 overs: Hasnain to Azmatullah, 1 run.

110-6 after 17.3 overs: Hasnain to Rashid, 1 run.

109-6 after 17.2 overs: Hasnain to Rashid, no run.

109-6 after 17.1 overs: Hasnain to Rashid, 4 runs.

Rashid Khan 1 (3), Azmatullah Omarzai 3 (4)

105-6 after 17 overs: Rauf to Rashid, 1 run.

104-6 after 16.5 overs: Rauf to Rashid, no run.

104-6 after 16.4 overs: Rauf to Rashid, no run.

104-6 after 16.3 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim (35), OUT CAUGHT.

104-5 after 16.2 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim, no run.

104-5 after 16.1 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim, no run.

Ibrahim Zadran 35 (34), Azmatullah Omarzai 3 (4)

104-5 after 16 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, 1 run.

103-5 after 15.5 overs: Shadab to Azmatullah, 1 run.

102-5 after 15.4 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, 1 run.

101-5 after 15.3 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, 6 runs.

95-5 after 15.2 overs: Shadab to Azmatullah, 1 run.

94-5 after 15.1 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, 1 run.

Ibrahim Zadran 26 (30), Azmatullah Omarzai 1 (2)

93-5 after 15 overs: Naseem to Ibrahim, 1 run.

92-5 after 14.5 overs: Naseem to Ibrahim, no run.

92-5 after 14.4 overs: Naseem to Ibrahim, no run.

92-5 after 14.3 overs: Naseem to Azmatullah, 1 run.

91-5 after 14.2 overs: Naseem to Azmatullah, no run.

91-5 after 14.1 overs: Naseem to Nabi (0), OUT BOWLED.

Ibrahim Zadran 25 (27)

91-4 after 14 overs: Shadab to Najibullah (10), OUT CAUGHT.

91-3 after 13.5 overs: Shadab to Najibullah, no run.

91-3 after 13.4 overs: Shadab to Najibullah, no run.

91-3 after 13.3 overs: Shadab to Najibullah, no run.

91-3 after 13.2 overs: Shadab to Najibullah, 6 runs.

85-3 after 13.1 overs: Shadab to Najibullah, 2 runs.

Ibrahim Zadran 25 (27), Najibullah Zadran 2 (5)

83-3 after 13 overs: Hasnain to Ibrahim, no run.

83-3 after 12.5 overs: Hasnain to Najibullah, 1 run.

82-3 after 12.4 overs: Hasnain to Ibrahim, 1 run.

81-3 after 12.3 overs: Hasnain to Ibrahim, no run.

81-3 after 12.2 overs: Hasnain to Najibullah, 1 run.

80-3 after 12.1 overs: Hasnain to Ibrahim, 1 run.

Najibullah Zadran 0 (3), Ibrahim Zadran 23 (23)

79-3 after 12 overs: Nawaz to Najibullah, no run.

79-3 after 11.5 overs: Nawaz to Najibullah, no run.

79-3 after 11.4 overs: Nawaz to Najibullah, no run.

79-3 after 11.3 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

78-3 after 11.2 overs: Nawaz to Janat (15), OUT CAUGHT.

78-2 after 11.1 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

Karim Janat 15 (18), Ibrahim Zadran 21 (21)

77-2 after 11 overs: Rauf to Janat, no run.

77-2 after 10.5 overs: Rauf to Janat, no run.

77-2 after 10.4 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim, 1 run.

76-2 after 10.3 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim, no run.

76-2 after 10.2 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim, no run.

76-2 after 10.1 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim, 4 runs.

Karim Janat 15 (16), Ibrahim Zadran 16 (17)

72-2 after 10 overs: Nawaz to Janat, 4 runs.

68-2 after 9.5 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

67-2 after 9.4 overs: Nawaz to Janat, 1 run.

66-2 after 9.3 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

65-2 after 9.2 overs: Nawaz to Janat, 1 run.

64-2 after 9.1 overs: Nawaz to Janat, no run.

Karim Janat 9 (12), Ibrahim Zadran 14 (15)

64-2 after 9 overs: Shadab to Janat, 1 run.

63-2 after 8.5 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

63-2 after 8.4 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

63-2 after 8.3 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, 1 run.

62-2 after 8.2 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, no run.

62-2 after 8.1 overs: Shadab to Janat, 1 run.

Ibrahim Zadran 13 (13), Karim Janat 7 (8)

61-2 after 8 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 4 runs.

57-2 after 7.5 overs: Nawaz to Janat, 1 run.

56-2 after 7.4 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

55-2 after 7.3 overs: Nawaz to Janat, 1 run.

54-2 after 7.2 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

53-2 after 7.1 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, no run.

Ibrahim Zadran 7 (9), Karim Janat 5 (6)

53-2 after 7 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, 1 run.

52-2 after 6.5 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, no run.

52-2 after 6.4 overs: Shadab to Janat, 1 run.

51-2 after 6.3 overs: Shadab to Janat, no run.

51-2 after 6.2 overs: Shadab to Janat, 2 runs.

49-2 after 6.1 overs: Shadab to Ibrahim, 1 run.

48-2 after 6 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

47-2 after 5.5 overs: Nawaz to Janat, 1 run.

46-2 after 5.4 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

45-2 after 5.3 overs: Nawaz to Janat, 1 run.

44-2 after 5.2 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, 1 run.

43-2 after 5.1 overs: Nawaz to Ibrahim, no run.

43-2 after 5 overs: Hasnain to Janat, no run.

43-2 after 4.5 overs: Hasnain to Zazai (21), OUT BOWLED.

43-1 after 4.5 overs: Hasnain to Zazai, 1 run wide.

42-1 after 4.4 overs: Hasnain to Zazai, no run.

42-1 after 4.3 overs: Hasnain to Zazai, 4 runs.

38-1 after 4.2 overs: Hasnain to Zazai, no run.

38-1 after 4.1 overs: Hasnain to Ibrahim, 1 run.

37-1 after 4 overs: Rauf to Ibrahim, 1 run.

36-1 after 3.5 overs: Rauf to Gurbaz (17), OUT BOWLED.

36-0 after 3.4 overs: Rauf to Gurbaz, no run.

36-0 after 3.3 overs: Rauf to Zazai, 1 run.

35-0 after 3.2 overs: Rauf to Zazai, 4 runs.

31-0 after 3.1 overs: Rauf to Zazai, 4 runs.

27-0 after 3 overs: Naseem to Zazai, 1 run.

26-0 after 2.5 overs: Naseem to Zazai, 4 runs.

22-0 after 2.4 overs: Naseem to Gurbaz, 1 run.

21-0 after 2.3 overs: Naseem to Zazai, 1 run.

20-0 after 2.2 overs: Naseem to Zazai, no run.

20-0 after 2.1 overs: Naseem to Zazai, no run.

20-0 after 2 overs: Hasnain to Gurbaz, 6 runs.

14-0 after 1.5 overs: Hasnain to Gurbaz, 6 runs.

8-0 after 1.4 overs: Hasnain to Gurbaz, no run.

8-0 after 1.3 overs: Hasnain to Zazai, no run.

8-0 after 1.3 overs: Hasnain to Zazai, 2 runs, free hit.

6-0 after 1.2 overs: Hasnain to Gurbaz, 1 run.

5-0 after 1.2 overs: Hasnain to Gurbaz, 1 run wide.

4-0 after 1.1 overs: Hasnain to Gurbaz, no run.

4-0 after 1 over: Naseem to Gurbaz, 3 runs.

1-0 after 0.5 over: Naseem to Gurbaz, no run.

1-0 after 0.4 over: Naseem to Zazai, 1 run.

0-0 after 0.3 over: Naseem to Zazai, no run.

0-0 after 0.2 over: Naseem to Zazai, no run.

0-0 after 0.1 over: Naseem to Zazai, no run.

6:55pm: National anthems are being played.

6:40pm: The line-ups are in:

Pakistan XI: 1 Babar Azam (capt), 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Iftikhar Ahmed, 5 Khushdil Shah, 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Asif Ali, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Mohammad Hasnain.

Afghanistan XI: 1 Hazratullah Zazai, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Najibullah Zadran, 5 Mohammad Nabi (capt), 6 Karim Janat, 7 Rashid Khan, 8 Azmatullah Omarzai, 9 Naveen-ul-Haq, 10 Mujeebur Rahman, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi.

6:30pm: Pakistan have won the toss and will bowl first.

6:23pm: Check out what a win for Pakistan in tonight’s match means for their place in the final.

6pm: This is the start of Dawn.com’s live thread for the Pakistan vs Afghanistan match.