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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
Arani Basu | TNN

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket to qualify for Asia Cup final, India out of contention

SHARJAH: Naseem Shah probably hit the two most important sixes to protect Pakistan’s ego on a Wednesday night that broke millions of Afghan hearts and knocked India out of the Asia Cup. Naseem's hefty blows may not match the Javed Miandad's last-ball six off Chetan Sharma from 1986, it would hurt Indian fans as much.

India's fate in the tournament was hanging on an Afghanistan win and the Afghan bowlers, breathing fire in the cauldron of Sharjah cricket stadium, nearly ran through the Pakistan batting lineup while defending 129/7 before Naseem sealed the deal in the first two balls of the final over bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Naseem's hits clinched a thriller for Pakistan with just a solitary wicket. This win has booked a place in the final for Pakistan alongside Sri Lanka, rendering the next two Super 4 matches inconsequential.

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