Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Arif Alvi and other political leadership of the country praised 19-year-old fast bowler Naseem Shah for taking Pakistan over the line with two back-to-back sixes in the last over of the match against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2022.
Chasing 130 for victory, Pakistan were in deep trouble at 118-9 before number 10 Naseem smashed Fazalhaq Farooqi over the fence in successive deliveries in the final over at Sharjah Stadium.
Read more: Naseem hits two sixes to put Pakistan in final of Asia Cup
It was a second Super Four defeat in a row for Afghanistan, and one that also eliminated reigning champions India from the running for a place in Sunday's final.
Angry Afghanistan cricket team supporters wreak havoc in the stadium by tossing chairs at Pakistani fans after a nail-biting match in which Pakistan came out triumphant.
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) September 7, 2022
🎥via: mkhanani #etribune #news #PakistanvsAfghanistan #cricket pic.twitter.com/Kg490RtJcT
"Wow… thank you Naseem for such an amazing finish," the premier wrote on his Twitter handle following the thrilling chase.
Wow 🇵🇰 … thank you Naseem for such an amazing finish 👏
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 7, 2022
President Alvi also praised the youngster.
Well done Naseem Shah. Despite our worries because of floods, green shirts bring smiles to our faces. Exciting cricket. I commiserate with Aghan cricketers for excellent and improving performances in the last few years.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) September 7, 2022
"Well done Naseem Shah. Despite our worries because of floods, green shirts bring smiles to our faces. Exciting cricket. I commiserate with Afghan cricketers for excellent and improving performances in the last few years," Alvi wrote.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif also applauded Naseem's performance, urging the men in green to win the Asia Cup for Pakistan.
What a Match !!
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) September 7, 2022
What a performance by Naseem Shah !
Yes, yes, yes, get us the cup Boys 🏆
Incredible 🇵🇰
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal congratulated the Pakistan team for the amazing win.
کمال کر دیا نسیم شاہ! جیت کی پوری ٹیم پاکستان کو بہت بہت مبارک ہو ۔
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) September 7, 2022
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif felicitated the nation for the wonderful performance by the green shirts.
🇵🇰
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) September 7, 2022
فتح مبارک الحمد للہ
پاکستان زندہ باد
Others also joined the nation in congratulating the team.
Congratulations Team #Pakistan
— Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) September 7, 2022
Naseem Shah you’ve made us all proud. Pakistan Zindabad 🇵🇰
Shahbash Naseem Shah!
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) September 7, 2022
Pakistan Zindabad
@iNaseemShah#PakvsAfg
Congratulations to Team Pakistan for another wonderful win! Those 2 sixes by Naseem Shah will be remembered for years! 🇵🇰 #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/QzNKdpOUpI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 7, 2022
Nassim Shah you beauty…. #PAKvAFG #AsiaCup2022
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 7, 2022
What. A. Win!#PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/CbQ5o72u92
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) September 7, 2022
Meanwhile, Afghanistan is turning out to be an amazing team. You guys can be proud of yourselves. #PAKvAFG https://t.co/KaIccitxSr pic.twitter.com/EiLNPo07yq
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) September 7, 2022
What a Finish !!!
— PTI Azad Kashmir (@PTIAJK_Official) September 7, 2022
Congratulations team Pakistan 🇵🇰 #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/IGAS6avyut
India and Afghanistan are out of the tournament after Pakistan's win today.
Afghanistan will now face India on Thursday whereas Pakistan will play against Sri Lanka on Friday. However, both matches are dead rubbers since both Sri Lanka and Pakistan have already qualified for the Sunday's final.
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