15/09Result
3rd T20I (N), Independence Cup at Lahore, Sep 15 2017
Pakistan won by 33 runs
Player of the Match
Ahmed Shehzad
Ahmed ShehzadPakistan
15/09Result
3rd T20I (N), Independence Cup at Lahore, Sep 15 2017
Pakistan won by 33 runs
Player of the Match
Ahmed Shehzad
Ahmed ShehzadPakistan

END OF OVER:
20 | 8 Runs 2 Wkts | PAK: 183/4 | RR: 9.15

  • Shoaib Malik17 (7b)
  • Sarfaraz Ahmed0 (0b)
  • Thisara Perera4-0-37-2
  • Morne Morkel4-0-42-0

Meanwhile, if you haven't read this yet, you should. Worth your time. Guaranteed. The Shahid Afridi of Kansas

8.40pm Formidable total again, made possible by the enterprise of Ahmed Shehzad. Yet, World XI wouldn't be too disappointed chasing 184. Sammy, who varied his pace tactfully, was tough to pick away, while Thisara ensured a strong finish with the ball. You'd still favour the batting team who have runs on the board in a final. A thriller in the offing then. Akshay will be back to call the first half of the chase.

The PCB will be felicitating Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi at the break, for their contribution to Pakistan cricket. Both men are looking dashing in their Pathani suit. Younis Khan, who was also among the invitees, has chosen to give the event a miss.

19.6
1
Perera to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, slower length ball on middle, Malik backs away and forces this to deep cover.
19.5
W
Perera to Imad Wasim, OUT, full ball that veers away from Imad, who looks to belt this over long-off but he can only toe-end to the man at cover.

Imad Wasim c du Plessis b Perera 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

19.4
0
Perera to Imad Wasim, no run, excellent stop off his own bowling. Full on off, this was hit back hard
19.3
1
Perera to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, steps out and slices this slower delivery towards deep point. Looked to go over cover
19.2
6
Perera to Shoaib Malik, SIX, misses his length and sees the ball soar over deep square leg. Full toss, a juicy one outside off, and Malik is down on one knee as he whips this away. Strong bottom hand, tremendous power

Mazhar Shehzaad: "Gotta admit. Seeing Afridi and Misbah sit out, just watching the match as spectators makes me extremely sad. This truly is the end of an era." They're being felicitated by the PCB, which is a superb gesture. What's wrong?

19.1
W
Perera to Babar Azam, OUT, slower and fuller on middle, Babar looks to clear cover but can't clear the infield. Simple catch to the fielder at the edge of the ring.

Babar Azam c du Plessis b Perera 48 (31b 5x4 0x6) SR: 154.83

Mohd Irshad: "That 18th over was not on cards, it was a surprise from predictably unpredictable Pakistan."

END OF OVER:
19 | 11 Runs | PAK: 175/2 | RR: 9.21

  • Shoaib Malik9 (4b)
  • Babar Azam48 (30b)
  • Morne Morkel4-0-42-0
  • Ben Cutting2-0-26-0
18.6
2
Morkel to Shoaib Malik, 2 runs, pulled but this time he'll find Miller, who comes around from deep midwicket. They're back for the second though
18.5
6
Morkel to Shoaib Malik, SIX, this is hammered straight and flat. Clears long-on effortlessly. Too full, Malik was waiting for it. Got under the length and belted this towards the sightscreen
18.4
0
Morkel to Shoaib Malik, no run, gets an under-edge on an attempted pull, Bailey moves to his left to stop that. Excellent awareness behind the stumps. He was moving to his right and had to change tracks
18.3
1
Morkel to Babar Azam, 1 run, low full toss outside off, driven to mid-off
18.2
1
Morkel to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, mistimes a cut to Amla at point, they scamper a single though
18.1
1
Morkel to Babar Azam, 1 run, pulled but straight to deep square leg

END OF OVER:
18 | 22 Runs 1 Wkt | PAK: 164/2 | RR: 9.11

  • Babar Azam46 (28b)
  • Shoaib Malik0 (0b)
  • Ben Cutting2-0-26-0
  • Morne Morkel3-0-31-0
17.6
1
Cutting to Babar Azam, 1 run, works this length ball from off stump to deep square
17.6
W
Cutting to Babar Azam, 1 wide, OUT, misses his line, and slips in a wide down leg but they have a wicket anyway. Shehzad has to walk back and does so to a huge round of applause. This has been a stunning knock. Coming back to the wicket, they tried to chance a bye but the keeper did well to run quickly to his left and hurl the throw at the bowler's end. Shehzad wasn't even in the frame. Tiredness consuming him but he can be very proud of that knock.

Ahmed Shehzad run out 89 (55b 8x4 3x6) SR: 161.81

17.5
1
Cutting to Ahmed Shehzad, 1 run, down on one knee as he swings this full toss on the bounce to long-on
17.4
6
Cutting to Ahmed Shehzad, SIX, this is very poor from Cutting. Slips this short and at a friendly pace outside off, Shehzad gets outside the line of the stumps and helps this over the fine leg boundary.
17.3
6
Cutting to Ahmed Shehzad, SIX, he's teeing off in grand style. Once again, Cutting misses his length and floats this as a half-volley on middle, Shehzad, who is outside leg, belts this away over long-on disdainfully
17.2
6
Cutting to Ahmed Shehzad, SIX, swung away and he's cleared long-on easily. Lined himself up for this. Cleared the front leg and muscles this full delivery. Right in the slot for that free swing

Our statsman Bharath Seervi tweets: Babar Azam's tally in this series is the highest by a Pakistan batsman in a bilateral T20I series. Prev highest: Shehzad's 168 v Zim in 2013

17.1
1
Cutting to Babar Azam, 1 run, skiddy short ball outside off, pulled to deep midwicket

END OF OVER:
17 | 15 Runs | PAK: 142/1 | RR: 8.35

  • Ahmed Shehzad70 (51b)
  • Babar Azam44 (26b)
  • Morne Morkel3-0-31-0
  • Thisara Perera3-0-29-0
16.6
2
Morkel to Ahmed Shehzad, 2 runs, muscles this to Thisara, who fumbles at deep square to allow the second run
16.5
0
Morkel to Ahmed Shehzad, no run, play and a miss. Looked to carve this behind point but couldn't get any bat on it. Hint of bat would've been enough to beat short third man

Short fine leg goes back now

16.4
4
Morkel to Ahmed Shehzad, FOUR, excellent awareness of his fields and excellent use of the bowler's pace. Walks across the stumps, gets down on one knee and ramps this over short fine leg. Morkel under pressure

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Babar's series

168

Previous most runs by a Pakistan batsman in a bilateral T20I series, by Ahmed Shehzad v Zim in 2013. Babar Azam's 179 in this series is now the highest for Pak and 4th highest.