Pakistan&nbsp;beat Afghanistan by three wickets in a nerve-racking last over finish in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Afghanistan scored 257-6 in their 50 overs which&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;chased down in 49.3 overs for the loss of seven wickets at Abu Dhabi stadium.

Chasing a competitive 258 to win, Pakistan overhauled the target with just three balls to spare with former captain Malik playing the match-winning knock from 43 balls.

Pakistan required 10 runs from the last over and Malik dispatched pacer Aftab Alam for a six and four after playing a dot ball.&nbsp;

Wickets kept falling for Pakistan with star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan yet again proving his utility with a three wicket haul but Malik held his nerves to keep one end tight.

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Pakistan win a thriller in Abu Dhabi! 
 
Afghanistan are denied a maiden victory against their neighbours as Shoaib Malik takes Pakistan home with 3 balls remaining to win by 3 wickets! What a game! 🇵🇰 🇦🇫 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvAFG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvAFG</a> scorecard ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Sa2zeTsbZ4">https://t.co/Sa2zeTsbZ4</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AsiaCup2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AsiaCup2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/DOP6NjEjq4">pic.twitter.com/DOP6NjEjq4</a>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1043226075264950272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Before Malik, Imam-ul-Haq (80) and Babar Azam (60) hit patient half-centuries in a 154-run stand but the slow run rate made it difficult for Pakistan.

Electing to bat, Hashmatullah Shahidi (97) missed out on his maiden ODI hundred by just three runs after skipper Asghar Afghan hit a combative 67 off 56 balls as Afghanistan scored a fighting 257 for six.

Their 94-run partnership and some terrific batting towards the end by the Afghans made it an interesting contest as they scored 87 runs in the last 10 overs.

Pakistan made a shaky start, losing opener Fakhar Zaman in the sixth ball of the innings, bowled by Mujeeb ur Rahman, but after that Azam and Imam taking control of the proceedings, though the run-rate was always shooting up.

At the half-way mark, Pakistan had put on board just 103 for one with required touching going beyond six but they the cushion of nine wickets.

The two batsmen out on 154 runs for the second wicket before the bespectacled Imam was run out in the 34th over. It was Najibullah Zadran's direct hit which found Imam short. His 80-run knock came off 104 balls with four shots to the fence and one over the ropes.&nbsp;

Nine balls later, Rashid Khan had Azam stumped. It was when Pakistan needed exact 100 runs from 15 overs.&nbsp;

Pakistan lost Haris Sohail (13), Sarfraz Ahmad (8), Asif Ali (7) and Mohammad Nawaz (10) with Afghan bowlers fighting hard.

In the end, former captain Malik's experience saw them cross the finish the&nbsp; 
line. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Earlier, Shahidi needed a boundary off the last ball to complete his century but Hasan Ali denied him the milestone with a incoming yorker which the left-hander could not put away.

With his skipper Asghar, Shahidi shared a match-changing 94-run stand for the fourth wicket.&nbsp;

Shahidi shifted gears with ease after largely remaining patient in his unbeaten and career-best knock which came off 118 balls. He was bowled off a no ball when he was on 76 in the penultimate over.

Five of his seven boundaries came during the last 14 balls of the Afghan innings.&nbsp;

Asghar had joined left-handed Shahidi at the crease after left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (3/57) removed the top three Afghan batsmen,&nbsp;Mohammad Shahzad (20), Ihsanullah (10) and Rahmat Shah (36).

In his 67-run knock, Asghar showed both aggression and patience and Shahidi was determined, holding one end tight.&nbsp;

Asghar chose right deliveries to go for big shots, hitting five sixes and two fours.

Shahidi and Asghar were tested by the Pakistan pace duo of Hasan Ali and Usman Khan but they refused to be intimidated by the raw pace.

They were sensible in defending and leaving the balls which moved after pitching outside off stump. They kept the scoreboard ticking with pushing and nudging the ball around.

Breakthrough not coming, Pakistan captain Sarfraz handed the ball back to Nawaz but Asghar creamed off 11 runs from his over, hitting a four and six, to end the long boundary drought.

Both the batsmen completed their half-centuries in the 40th over, bowled by young left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi.

With few overs left, Asghar started hitting each everything thrown at him and was bowled by Afridi after being dropped by Haris Sohail in the 42nd over.

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by three wickets in a nerve-racking last over finish in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Afghanistan scored 257-6 in their 50 overs which Pakistan chased down in 49.

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by three wickets in a nerve-racking last over finish in the Super Four match of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Afghanistan scored 257-6 in their 50 overs which Pakistan chased down in 49.3 overs for the loss of seven wickets at Abu Dhabi stadium. Chasing a competitive 258 to win, Pakistan overhauled the target with just three balls to spare with former captain Malik playing the match-winning knock from 43 balls. Pakistan required 10 runs from the last over and Malik dispatched pacer Aftab Alam for a six and four after playing a dot ball. Wickets kept falling for Pakistan with star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan yet again proving his utility with a three wicket haul but Malik held his nerves to keep one end tight. Pakistan win a thriller in Abu Dhabi! Afghanistan are denied a maiden victory against their neighbours as Shoaib Malik takes Pakistan home with 3 balls remaining to win by 3 wickets! What a game! 🇵🇰 🇦🇫 #PAKvAFG scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/Sa2zeTsbZ4#AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/DOP6NjEjq4 — ICC (@ICC) September 21, 2018 × Before Malik, Imam-ul-Haq (80) and Babar Azam (60) hit patient half-centuries in a 154-run stand but the slow run rate made it difficult for Pakistan. Electing to bat, Hashmatullah Shahidi (97) missed out on his maiden ODI hundred by just three runs after skipper Asghar Afghan hit a combative 67 off 56 balls as Afghanistan scored a fighting 257 for six. Their 94-run partnership and some terrific batting towards the end by the Afghans made it an interesting contest as they scored 87 runs in the last 10 overs. Pakistan made a shaky start, losing opener Fakhar Zaman in the sixth ball of the innings, bowled by Mujeeb ur Rahman, but after that Azam and Imam taking control of the proceedings, though the run-rate was always shooting up. At the half-way mark, Pakistan had put on board just 103 for one with required touching going beyond six but they the cushion of nine wickets. The two batsmen out on 154 runs for the second wicket before the bespectacled Imam was run out in the 34th over. It was Najibullah Zadran's direct hit which found Imam short. His 80-run knock came off 104 balls with four shots to the fence and one over the ropes. Nine balls later, Rashid Khan had Azam stumped. It was when Pakistan needed exact 100 runs from 15 overs. Pakistan lost Haris Sohail (13), Sarfraz Ahmad (8), Asif Ali (7) and Mohammad Nawaz (10) with Afghan bowlers fighting hard. In the end, former captain Malik's experience saw them cross the finish the line. Earlier, Shahidi needed a boundary off the last ball to complete his century but Hasan Ali denied him the milestone with a incoming yorker which the left-hander could not put away. With his skipper Asghar, Shahidi shared a match-changing 94-run stand for the fourth wicket. Shahidi shifted gears with ease after largely remaining patient in his unbeaten and career-best knock which came off 118 balls. He was bowled off a no ball when he was on 76 in the penultimate over. Five of his seven boundaries came during the last 14 balls of the Afghan innings. Asghar had joined left-handed Shahidi at the crease after left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (3/57) removed the top three Afghan batsmen, Mohammad Shahzad (20), Ihsanullah (10) and Rahmat Shah (36). In his 67-run knock, Asghar showed both aggression and patience and Shahidi was determined, holding one end tight. Asghar chose right deliveries to go for big shots, hitting five sixes and two fours. Shahidi and Asghar were tested by the Pakistan pace duo of Hasan Ali and Usman Khan but they refused to be intimidated by the raw pace. They were sensible in defending and leaving the balls which moved after pitching outside off stump. They kept the scoreboard ticking with pushing and nudging the ball around. Breakthrough not coming, Pakistan captain Sarfraz handed the ball back to Nawaz but Asghar creamed off 11 runs from his over, hitting a four and six, to end the long boundary drought. Both the batsmen completed their half-centuries in the 40th over, bowled by young left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi. With few overs left, Asghar started hitting each everything thrown at him and was bowled by Afridi after being dropped by Haris Sohail in the 42nd over.

Asia Cup 2018: Pakistan beat Afghanistan in last over finish

Hashmatullah Shahidi missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Shahidi hit three consecutive boundaries in the final over off Usman Shinwari, but failed to get to three figures off the last delivery after Afghanistan won the toss and batted in the Super Four clash.

Shahidi finished with a brilliantly-paced 118-ball 97 not out, and added 94 for the fourth wicket with his skipper Asghar Afghan, who smashed five sixes and two fours in his 56-ball 67.

But it was Shahidi who held one end against Pakistan's bowling in an innings which featured seven boundaries after left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (3-57) had put the brakes on Afghanistan's early progress.

Shahidi had added 63 for the third wicket with Rahmat Shah who scored a measured 36.

The total is an improvement by Afghanistan after scoring 249 and 255 in their previous two wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Pakistani fielders dropped four catches, three off debutant paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi who finished with 2-38.

Hashmatullah Shahidi missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Hashmatullah Shahidi missed out on a maiden hundred by a mere three runs but still steered Afghanistan to a challenging 257-6 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday. Shahidi hit three consecutive boundaries in the final over off Usman Shinwari, but failed to get to three figures off the last delivery after Afghanistan won the toss and batted in the Super Four clash. Shahidi finished with a brilliantly-paced 118-ball 97 not out, and added 94 for the fourth wicket with his skipper Asghar Afghan, who smashed five sixes and two fours in his 56-ball 67. But it was Shahidi who held one end against Pakistan's bowling in an innings which featured seven boundaries after left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (3-57) had put the brakes on Afghanistan's early progress. Shahidi had added 63 for the third wicket with Rahmat Shah who scored a measured 36. The total is an improvement by Afghanistan after scoring 249 and 255 in their previous two wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Pakistani fielders dropped four catches, three off debutant paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi who finished with 2-38.

Asia Cup 2018: Shahidi, Asghar lift Afghanistan to 257-6 against Pakistan

It is hard to imagine a childhood with no playground in it. However, there are innumerable kids worldwide who are deprived of a ball or, for that matter, a&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;bat to play with. One&#39;s life is far from normal if, as a teenager, you witnessed bombings, gunfights and battlefields right round the corner of your home. Where does one go if, the government cannot provide even the basic amenities? How does one survive amidst bloodshed?&nbsp;

In the end, it all comes down to picking sides, the right or the wrong.

But then, among the ashes rise individuals who are similar in their grit to a Superman or, maybe, a Batman. The Afghan&nbsp;cricketers who have been making their presence felt in the international arena of&nbsp;cricket, have been bringing smiles, harmony and, most of all, unity in the war-struck nation.

&quot;Cricket&nbsp;is not just a sport for Afghanistan anymore, it is a lot more. It has helped bring peace and harmony back in our country. Even the opposition party leaders sit with the ruling party members and watch our matches. In the last few years, we are winning on a consistent basis. When we lose or win matches our fans stand by us. And in the coming years, you will see that Afghanistan&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;team will be a force to reckon with,&quot; Shir Agha Hamkar, Afghanistan&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;team manager pointed out.

Just like the superheroes of our age, these men dressed in blue and red jersey also flaunt weapons. Their weapons are not AK-47s or those fancy high-end gadgets but a&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;ball and a&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;bat. And, what counts as their battlefield is not a piece of territory along the Line Of Control but a&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;pitch, measuring 22 yards. Their challenge is to outplay the opposition and not outrun them. Their victories are often numbered in runs and wickets and not in treaties or surrenders.

For these Afghan&nbsp;cricketers, the dream of playing the game would not have been possible without the help of Board of Control for&nbsp;Cricket&nbsp;in India (BCCI). In December 2015, the BCCI and the Afghanistan&nbsp;Cricket&nbsp;Board got into an agreement to help the boys from the faraway nation; Afghan&nbsp;cricketers got the permission to use the Greater Noida Sports Complex as their home ground. Since then it has been a joyous ride for the Afghan sportsmen, defeating the likes of West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland at major events.

Speaking about the stadium, the&nbsp;cricketers found no fault: &quot;This is such a good facility. We have all that is required to improve our game. The sports complex is nice, the people are nice. There are a lot of students and families from Afghanistan here in Delhi, and they come out in support of us, which is so heartening to see,&#39;&#39; Mohammad Nabi, the star player from Afghanistan told&nbsp;WION.

At the recently concluded Indian Premier League auction, Nabi and Rashid Khan have been roped in by the champion team, Sunrisers Hyderabad. &quot;Playing at the IPL will be like a dream come true for me and Nabi. Not just for us but for our brothers back home as well. This will only open the doors for other Afghan&nbsp;cricketers to make it to the IPL,&quot; Rashid Khan said.

The men dressed in blue and red have won 11 consecutive T20s and that&#39;s a record. They last beat Ireland in a T20 series, winning all the 3 matches. The Afghan dream has been sown in by these momentous players. The dreams of these heroes have begun to take wings already. &nbsp;These players might not have beaten teams like India or Australia on a&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;field but they sure do know how to win hearts.&nbsp;

For now, all that we can say is, dream on boys, and keep that Afghan flying high.

(WION)
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Cricket has unified Afghanistan with local players making their presence felt in the international cricket arena

It is hard to imagine a childhood with no playground in it. However, there are innumerable kids worldwide who are deprived of a ball or, for that matter, a cricket bat to play with. One's life is far from normal if, as a teenager, you witnessed bombings, gunfights and battlefields right round the corner of your home. Where does one go if, the government cannot provide even the basic amenities? How does one survive amidst bloodshed? In the end, it all comes down to picking sides, the right or the wrong. But then, among the ashes rise individuals who are similar in their grit to a Superman or, maybe, a Batman. The Afghan cricketers who have been making their presence felt in the international arena of cricket, have been bringing smiles, harmony and, most of all, unity in the war-struck nation. "Cricket is not just a sport for Afghanistan anymore, it is a lot more. It has helped bring peace and harmony back in our country. Even the opposition party leaders sit with the ruling party members and watch our matches. In the last few years, we are winning on a consistent basis. When we lose or win matches our fans stand by us. And in the coming years, you will see that Afghanistan cricket team will be a force to reckon with," Shir Agha Hamkar, Afghanistan cricket team manager pointed out. Just like the superheroes of our age, these men dressed in blue and red jersey also flaunt weapons. Their weapons are not AK-47s or those fancy high-end gadgets but a cricket ball and a cricket bat. And, what counts as their battlefield is not a piece of territory along the Line Of Control but a cricket pitch, measuring 22 yards. Their challenge is to outplay the opposition and not outrun them. Their victories are often numbered in runs and wickets and not in treaties or surrenders. For these Afghan cricketers, the dream of playing the game would not have been possible without the help of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In December 2015, the BCCI and the Afghanistan Cricket Board got into an agreement to help the boys from the faraway nation; Afghan cricketers got the permission to use the Greater Noida Sports Complex as their home ground. Since then it has been a joyous ride for the Afghan sportsmen, defeating the likes of West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland at major events. Speaking about the stadium, the cricketers found no fault: "This is such a good facility. We have all that is required to improve our game. The sports complex is nice, the people are nice. There are a lot of students and families from Afghanistan here in Delhi, and they come out in support of us, which is so heartening to see,'' Mohammad Nabi, the star player from Afghanistan told WION. At the recently concluded Indian Premier League auction, Nabi and Rashid Khan have been roped in by the champion team, Sunrisers Hyderabad. "Playing at the IPL will be like a dream come true for me and Nabi. Not just for us but for our brothers back home as well. This will only open the doors for other Afghan cricketers to make it to the IPL," Rashid Khan said. The men dressed in blue and red have won 11 consecutive T20s and that's a record. They last beat Ireland in a T20 series, winning all the 3 matches. The Afghan dream has been sown in by these momentous players. The dreams of these heroes have begun to take wings already. These players might not have beaten teams like India or Australia on a cricket field but they sure do know how to win hearts. For now, all that we can say is, dream on boys, and keep that Afghan flying high. (WION)

Cricket fever revives Afghanistan, players eye IPL