T20I tri-series: Atal, Zadran hit fifties as Afghanistan post 170-run target for Pakistan

Afghanistan set a 170-run target for Pakistan, thanks to fifties from Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran, in the fourth match of the T20I tri-series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan racked up a massive total of 169/5 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a monumental second-wicket partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal.

Afghanistan got off to a shaky start to their innings as Saim Ayub dismissed their explosive opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz (eight) in the second over with just 10 runs on the board.

Following the early stutter, Zadran joined Atal in the middle, and together they raised 113 runs during their second-wicket partnership.

The century-plus stand was eventually broken by Faheem Ashraf in the 16th over when he got Atal caught at long-on. The left-handed opener smashed three fours and as many sixes on his way to a 45-ball 64.

Faheem picked two more wickets in his next overs, dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai and set batter Zadran, and reduced Afghanistan to 146/4 in 17.5 overs.

Zadran remained the top-scorer for Afghanistan with 65 off 45 deliveries, laced with eight fours and a six.

The right-arm pacer then dismissed veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi (six) in the final over to round up his career-best bowling figures of 4/27.

Skipper Rashid Khan and fellow all-rounder Karim Janat remained unbeaten on eight each.

Besides Faheem, Saim Ayub was the only wicket-taker for Pakistan, making one scalp for 18 runs in his four overs.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (capt), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi