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'Gazab ka match tha'- Fans react as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket in 2nd ODI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's brilliant century went in vain as Pakistan registered a narrow one-wicket win against Afghanistan.

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Rohit Kumar
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Pakistan

Pakistan (Source- Twitter)

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket in the second ODI in Hambantota on Thursday. After winning the second match Pakistan has already won the three-match ODI series with one match left. They thrashed Afghanistan by 142 runs in the first One-Day International on Tuesday.

After being bundled out for 201, Pakistan’s pacers tormented the Afghans, who were bowled out for 59. It was Afghan second lowest score in the ODI format. Naseem Shah, the batter, returns to haunt Afghanistan as he helps his team chase 301.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's century goes in vain

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's brilliant century goes in vain as Pakistan registered a narrow one-wicket win against Afghanistan. Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss for Afghanistan and elected to bat first. Openers Rahmannulah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Afghanistan a sensational start and smashed the Pakistani bowling attack all over the park.

Gurbaz and Zadran built a 227-run partnership to put their side in an advantageous position. This opening-wicket stand between Gurbaz and Zadran became the second-highest partnership for Afghanistan in ODIs. The way they were striking the ball it looked like they would score past 320-330 but they were restricted to 300/5.

Zadran was dismissed by Usmana Mir in the 40th over. Zadran scored 80 runs off 101 balls, hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes. Gurbaz went on to complete his century and was dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi after scoring 151 runs off 151 balls hitting 14 fours and 3 sixes.

In reply, Pakistan started off quickly with openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq stitching a 52-run stand for the first wicket. After Fakhar's wicket, skipper Babar Azam and Imam then formed a crucial 118-run stand. With both the batters scoring fifties. Babar scored 53 runs off 66 balls, and Imam scored 91 runs off 105 balls. Pakistan's batting collapsed from 170 for 2 to 208 for 5.

Farooqi brought a twist to the tale at the end when he removed Shadab Khan's bails in his bowling run-up after he saw the all-rounder leaving his crease from the non-striker's end. Naseem Shah kept his cool and smashed two boundaries in the final over to register a thrilling series-clinching victory for his side.

Here's how fans reacted: 

Pakistan Afghanistan Rahmanullah Gurbaz