Pakistan teenager Naseem Shah smashed back-to-back sixes in the last over against Afghanistan on Wednesday for a one-wicket victory that sets up the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
Needing 11 off the last over and only one wicket in hand, the 19-year-old Shah clobbered consecutive sixes off fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi off the first two deliveries to take Pakistan to 131-9.
In Super 4 game dominated by bowlers, Pakistan also did well to restrict Afghanistan to 129-6 through its pacers and spinners. Shah had earlier clean bowled captain Mohammad Nabi for a golden duck to finish with 1-19.
Pakistan’s win also ended India’s slim chances to reach next Sunday’s final.
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Ravi Shastri asked Babar about Naseem Shah’s two sixes.
Ravi Shastri: Talk about those sixes from Naseem Shah?
Babar Azam: Those sixes reminded me of Javed Miandad’s last ball six vs India at Sharjah.
Shastri: I was there in that match, Thanks for reminding me again.
Shadab Khan, who was named the Man of the Match for taking one wicket and scoring 36 valuable runs, also spoke about Miandad’s six but also mentioned Shahid Afridi in his conversation.
“People will remember the two sixes of Naseem Shah forever likewise they still cherish those sixes by Shahid Afridi and Javed Miandad.”
For the record, Miandad had hit a six on Chetan Sharma’s bowling to lead Pakistan to a one wicket win in 1986.
Afridi smashed Ashwin for two successive sixes in 2014 Asia Cup. Pakistan won the game by one wicket in the 50th over while chasing 246.