Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday lauded "impressive" Afghanistan cricket team after they gave ‘favourites’ Pakistan a good run for their money during their match in a high-intensity T20 World Cup encounter.
Pakistan continued their dominance in the T20 World Cup, beating Afghanistan by five wickets at Dubai International Stadium but not before giving major scares to Pakistani fans.
Captain Babar Azam stroked fifty, during 148-run chase, but middle-order batsman Asif Ali's power show in the 19th over was the highlight of the night, sealing the match with four sixes in the 19th over.
Read more: Babar, Asif star as Pakistan defeat Afghanistan
Pakistan are comfortably placed at the top of their group with three wins. They will face Namibia on November 2 in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan are at number two on the table.
"Never have I seen a cricketing nation rise as rapidly as Afghanistan in international cricket & become so competitive," the premier wrote on his official Twitter handle.
Congratulations Team Pakistan. Impressive cricket by Team Afghanistan. Never have I seen a cricketing nation rise as rapidly as Afghanistan in international cricket & become so competitive. With this competitive spirit & talent the future of cricket is bright in Afghanistan.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 29, 2021
With this competitive spirit and talent, he added the future of cricket is bright in Afghanistan.
President Dr Arif Alvi also lauded the Afghan team, saying they have outstanding spinners and a big future. "Excellent win by the Green Shirts again making it sort of a habit Thumbs up You do give us occasional jitters but continue to excel," he said.
Excellent win by the Green Shirts again making it sort of a habit 👍 You do give us occasional jitters but continue to excel. I commiserate with my brothers in Afghanistan. You have an outstanding bunch of world class spinners and a big future ahead of you.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 29, 2021
پھر سے مزا آگیا pic.twitter.com/YpYT9IpLdN
"I commiserate with my brothers in Afghanistan. You have an outstanding bunch of world class spinners and a big future ahead of you."
Also read: Pakistan down New Zealand after fascinating clash
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Shibli Faraz praised Afghanistan team. "A great match between neighbours, Congratulations Pakistan well played Afghanistan," he said.
A great match between neighbours, Congratulations Pakistan well played Afghanistan #PakvsAfg
— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) October 29, 2021
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi congratulated both Pakistan and Afghanistan teams for a great game. "Well done #TeamPakistan for your third consecutive win and congratulations to Team #Afghanistan for a great game," he tweet.
Well done #TeamPakistan for your third consecutive win and congratulations to Team #Afghanistan for a great game.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) October 29, 2021
Above all, both teams continue to show the beauty and spirit of sportsmanship and fraternity.
"Above all, both teams continue to show the beauty and spirit of sportsmanship and fraternity."
Senator Faisal Javed Khan, taking to Twitter, lauded the hero of the match, Pakistan's finisher Asif Ali, who hit four sixes in the penultimate over and sealed the match for Pakistan.
He is Outstanding, Exceptional, Match Winner, Marvelous and Magnificent.
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) October 29, 2021
He is Aasif Ali! Welldone @AasifAli2018 Yet another match winning knock. Congratulations Pakistan for walking into the Semis with 3 back to back wins.
#PakVsInd #PakvsAfg #PakvsNz pic.twitter.com/IOOYd3m3iD
"He is Outstanding, Exceptional, Match Winner, Marvelous and Magnificent. He is Aasif Ali! Welldone," he said.
Thank you Asif Ali!!! You are a hero!!!#PakvsAfg
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) October 29, 2021
Congratulations Pakistan for the hat-trick of wins in #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/AtSpdcR5Gn
"Congratulations Pakistan for walking into the Semis with 3 back to back wins."
Minister for Food Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan said that congratulate the nation for the win.
Beautiful game and a spectacular finish by Asif Ali. Pakistan wins third consecutive match in T20 World Cup. Congratulations to the nation. Well done team Pakistan! #PakVsAfg
— Abdul Aleem Khan (@aleemkhan_pti) October 29, 2021
"Beautiful game and a spectacular finish by Asif Ali. Pakistan wins third consecutive match in T20 World Cup. Congratulations to the nation. Well done team Pakistan!," he added.
Head of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah said that also congratulated his team for the mighty effort they put up against the Green Shirts.
"I wholeheartedly congratulate Afghanistan's National Cricket team, & the team management on the well-deserved play & efforts in tonight’s match against Pakistan. I commend your dedication, professionalism, & team-work," he wrote on Twitter.
I wholeheartedly congratulate Afghanistan's National Cricket team, & the team management on the well-deserved play & efforts in tonight’s match against Pakistan. I commend your dedication, professionalism, & team-work. pic.twitter.com/SPz389B66T
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) October 29, 2021
Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq said: "Congratulations Pakistan. Well played Afganistan. I am proud of both."
Congratulations Pakistan. Well played Afganistan. I am proud of both.
— Mohammad Sadiq (@AmbassadorSadiq) October 29, 2021
Jamaat-e-Isalmi (JI) chief Sirajul Haq also congratulated both team for the great show.
جیت کا سفر جاری رکھنے پر قومی ٹیم کو مبارکباد
— Siraj ul Haq (@SirajOfficial) October 29, 2021
افغانستان کے لیے اچھا کھیل پیش کرنے پر شاباش
Credit to #Afganistan for putting up a great fight. They played far better than #India and #NewZealand
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) October 29, 2021
Imagine what team Afghanistan would become if their country is stabilised & more resources at their disposal!
#PakvsAfg
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ