Asif Ali Almost Hits Fareed Ahmed Malik: Asif Ali and Fareed Ahmed Malik almost came to blows during Pakistan-Afghanistan match at the Asia Cup.
Pakistan qualified for the Asia Cup final by defeating Afghanistan by one wicket in a thrilling match played at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 130, Pakistan needed 11 runs in the final over, with Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain in the middle.
While it looked like Afghanistan might overtake Pakistan, Naseem had other ideas. The fast bowler hit two sixes in the first two balls of Fazlhaq Farooqui, causing a stir in Pakistan’s dressing room.
Before those two balls, the drama started when Pakistan lost the wicket of Asif Ali in the fifth ball of the 19th over, who had hit a six off Farid Ahmed Malik on the previous ball. Farid not only dismissed Asif, he went straight to face the batsman, and pumped a fist to celebrate the wicket.
Although Asif did not like Farid’s action and raised his bat, but then started walking. Farid also put a shoulder on Asif while the batsman was walking back. Fortunately, other players from Afghanistan intervened and separated the two players.
Watch: Asif Ali and Farid Ahmed Malik’s tussle
Pakistan’s victory means India and Afghanistan are out of the running for the final to be played on Sunday as they have not won two matches. Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualified for the title match with four points each.
Invited to bat, Afghanistan scored 129 for six after scoring 35 off 37 balls with the top scorer from Ibrahim Zadran. Chasing the target with four balls to spare, Pakistan made 131 for 9 in 19.2 overs.
Shadab Khan scored 36 while Iftikhar Ahmed scored 30 runs for Pakistan. For Afghanistan, Farid Ahmed and Fazlhaq Farooqui took three wickets each while Rashid Khan took two wickets. Asif Ali Almost Hits Fareed Ahmed Malik
