Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 2nd Match, Super Four at Abu Dhabi, Sep 21 2018 - Match Result

12:13am Whew. Is that the game that kicks life into the rest of this tournament? It was much needed, as was tomorrow's break. For you, for the players, and for us commentators too. It's been a crazy night. We'll see you when the tournament resumes. Thanks for joining today, we hope you enjoyed it. On behalf of Saurabh and Thilak - have a good night!

Shoaib Malik: Well, Rameez bhai, being a senior player when you've played enough cricket, you know when you already have a start, the goal is to bat till the 50th over. That's the only thing I had in mind. At one point the required rate was almost ten but I kept telling myself to bat till the end because we had batsmen to hit the big shots later. I think even the good bowlers, when they're bowling in the middle overs, they are confident and want to get you out. But in the end, even they are on the back foot. As a batsman, you can show authority on them. I would like to congratulate them [Afghanistan] though, they have been improving every day. ["I need that," he says when Rameez Raja mentions the rest day tomorrow.]

Shoaib Malik is the Man of the Match.

Sarfraz Ahmed: We were completely rocked by the end. Credit should go to Babar and Imam and we can't praise Malik enough. Afghanistan batted very sensibly, and they have the best three spinners in the world. Especially on these pitches. Anyone who chases against them will have to do really well, and we did. Unfortunately Shadab failed the fitness test this morning and we were a bowler short, but the batting was strengthened. Once again, I can't praise Malik enough. It wasn't easy to chase 257 on this and the way Babar and Imam showed patience before Malik, it'll give us a lot of confidence. After a long time, about 18 months, we had a terrible fielding day. We'll have to address that.

Asghar Afghan: First I want to congratulate Pakistan. Yeah today was tough and thrilling. I think it's the first in this tournament that the game was this tough., it was good for the crowd I will give a lot of credit to Babar and Imam. If Malik [Shahzad catch] had been taken, it would have been easy for us. But when you give a chance to a mature batsman, it becomes difficult. Today Hashmat and I played really well, because we wanted 240+. But our fielding didn't work today along with our seam bowling. I think on this kind of wicket, Rashid is difficult. That's why we went with him, but they played very well.

Farooq: "Great match, pure love for the Afghans. They are great ambassadors for their land. Their time will come. "

Meezan: "Great to see yet another good team emerging from the sub continent. Afghanistan has earned respect of the cricketing world with their Asia Cup performances. Welcome to the big league boys."

Hadi: "Brilliant just brilliant to see Malik and Hasan getting down to console the bowler and Malik giving a hug to Shahzad. Great sportsmanship. "

Hadi: "Finally an amazing thriller of a match in an otherwise bizarre tournament setup! AFG lost but played like champions and for sure will give India a tough day as well"

Moazam: "Believe me, it's not easy to be a Pakistani and a Pakistani fan. Been skipping my heartbeats. Made my heartbeats so fast during the last 5 overs but its worth it at the end . Phewwww"

Benny: "In his own special way, Shoaib Malik is the goat"

Jay Padia: "Shoaib Malik's innings was akin to M S Dhoni of yore. Take it to the end, keep one end secure, let others hit a six and when it matters, finish it off in style. Good fight, Afghanistan and good wrap, Pakistan!"

Caleb: "For what was pretty good death bowling on the whole, there were just too many six balls towards the end. Missed opportunity for Afghanistan and it's the small margins at the highest level, but that game was winner take a top 2 finish in all likelihood "

Muhammad Omer D: "What a match... Well done Afghanistan.. Congratulations Pakistan"

Vipul : "Rashid Khan is the Neil Johnson of Afghanistan. Typically contributes the most and sees it all washed away."

Abdullah Iqbal: "Six of Asif , Six of Nawaz , Six of Hasan , Six of Malik. The tale of 4 sixes <3"

11:51 It's really Malik's experience trumping Afghanistan's inexperience. With his shot selection, with his calculations, and with his instructions to the lower-order batsmen, Malik brought the game where he wanted it to be: in the last over against a not-so-confident seamer. And boy did he punish him.

Before that, Imam and Babar with a 154-run stand that should have made this a lot easier than it was. But is it even Pakistan if this isn't how it's done? A three wicket win.

Aarish Mustafa: "@Haseeb how do you know malik isn't playing for his fifty here ;)"

10 off 6. Shoaib Malik is on strike. The strategy meetings have begun., Short fine, point, extra cover and mid-off are the fielders inside. Does that mean a short of a length strategy?

Haseeb: "Will the 2 runs denied at last 2 balls of Afghan innings make the difference? This is what happens when personal milestones are more precious than teams good."

Hasan will look to play the same shot again, make no mistake...

Hasan Ali walks in. He can smash em too...

Wow that six has made such a big difference. They'll back themselves to get 12-13 in the last over if they can see off Rashid here. Or will Nawaz go after him right away? Won't be a bad option...

Aftab around the wicket

Shahzada : "Pakistan missing shadab and faheem here"

Rajkumar Bhaska: "All you need ~10 an over & scored 7 runs of first 2 balls. then got out next ball trying to hit. madness :-("

Kumar: "These days I dont get excited for Kohli or the likes as much as when Rashid is in play! At 20 years, he is a genuine cricket player who does whatever he does hard and real well! Bowling, Fielding, throwing, batting! Oh boy!"

Mohammad Nawaz, handy allrounder himself. Can he handle the pressure?