T20 World Cup 2021: Match 24, Afghanistan vs Pakistan – 10 best memes of the match

Match No.24 of the T20 World Cup between Pakistan and Afghanistan turned out to be an absolute humdinger. After loads of twists and turns, it was Babar Azam and Co, who won by five wickets with one over to spare. Pakistan have now garnered three wins in a row and are almost through to the semis. The Afghans can be proud of their performance as they fought right until the very end.

Nabi, Gulbadin guide Afghanistan

After electing to bat first, Afghanistan lost wickets in clumps as they were reduced to 49 for four in the powerplay. Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asghar Afghan and Karim Janat started their knocks with boundaries, but failed to carry on. Najibullah Zadran was seeming to take the innings forward before leg-spinner Shadab Khan accounted for his wicket in the 13th over.

With the Afghans at 76 for six, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib came together and rescued their team to some extent. The duo put on an unbeaten 83-run stand off 43 balls. Both batters stayed not out on 35 as Afghanistan posted a respectable score of 147 for six. Tweaker Imad Wasim was the standout bowler for Pakistan as he got two wickets. The other bowlers picked up one wicket apiece.

Asif, Babar power Pakistan

Pakistan didn’t make the greatest of starts to their run-chase after Mujeeb Ur Rahman pinned Mohammad Rizwan, the leading T20I run-scorer in 2021. Thereafter, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman put on 63 runs for the second wicket. Nabi trapped Zaman, who made a 25-ball 30, to break the partnership. Rashid Khan removed Mohammad Hafeez to accomplish 100 wickets in T20Is.

The onus was then on Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik to take the Men in Green over the finishing line. Babar was circumspect and notched his second fifty of this World Cup off 45 balls. But Rashid rattled his woodwork to give the Afghans a major breakthrough. Shoaib Malik also got out to Naveen-ul-Haq. From there on, Asif Ali scored a seven-ball 25, laced with four sixes, to take Pakistan home.

Here are the best memes of the match