Pakistan scored a consolation 66 runs win over Afghanistan in the third and final T20I of their series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Chasing 183 runs for a win and series sweep, Afghanistan were bowled out for 116. Pace bowler Ihsanullah and leg spinner Shadab Khan took three wickets each for Pakistan. Afghanistan claimed the series 2-1.
Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan’s stand-in skipper and all-rounder Shadab Khan had said plenty of positives will come from his side’s series loss to Afghanistan and the consistent efforts of experienced absentees Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be appreciated when the star duo return to the national setup. “People criticize Babar and Rizwan regardless of whether they perform or not. There is always a sword hanging over them of strike rate. As a nation, we wanted youngsters to come in international cricket, as they were performing in PSL (Pakistan Super League), so we thought they would play with a better strike rate,” Shadab was quoted by the ICC websiteafter the match. “But finally, our nation will realise that experience matters and our seniors did not get the respect they deserved considering their performances. So after this series, they will get a lot more respect from media and the nation,” added Shadab. (TNN)
