In a nail biting climax Pakistan manages to win by 3 wickets against Afghanistan
Leeds, June 29: Pakistan survived a mighty scare to continue its surge towards the World Cup semifinals with Imad Wasim (49 not out) showing nerves of steel to guide them to a tense three-wicket win over Afghanistan, here Saturday.
In heart-stopping action, the gritty Afghanistan yet again came close to creating a big upset but were denied by Wasim, who emerged an unlikely batting hero along with Wahab Riaz (15 off 9), who hit a timely six off Rashid Khan to release the pressure.
Wasim had five half-centuries before this match but perhaps played the biggest knock of his life, soaking in tremendous pressure as Pakistan huffed and puffed to win with two balls to spare.
The Afghans after dominating the large part of the Pakistan innings, wilted under pressure, missing run outs and catches towards the dramatic end. They had come close to winning against India too but fell short.
The Afghanistan spinners turned the match on its head by reducing Pakistan to 156 for six and the modest 228-run target was now looking like a mountain to scale for the 1992 champions.
It was Mujeeb ur Rahman (2/34) and Mohammed Nabi (2/23) who saw off the Pakistan top-order to set it up nicely for Afghanistan.
When seasoned Rashid Khan got rid of Haris Sohail (27), Afghanistan sensed an upset and Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed (18) helped the Afghan cause by running himself out at crucial juncture.
There was no Babar Azam (45) or Sohail at the crease to rescue Pakistan, who required 46 from the last five overs.
Afghan skipper Gulbadin came to bowl the 46th over and ended up leaking 18 runs with Wasim finding three boundaries in that over. It titled the match heavily in favour of Pakistan.
With 16 needed off 12 balls, Riaz launched Rashid for a massive six in the second ball and eventually Pakistan needed six from last over.
Gulabdin brought himself again into the attack but Wasim steered him for a four in the fourth ball to finish it off for his side.
With this win, Pakistan have now jumped to the fourth spot with nine points, pushing hosts England to five. They would pray that India beat England tomorrow to enhance Pakistan's semi final chances.
Earlier, Pakistan bowlers did not exactly dominate the Afghanistan batsmen but pacer Shaheen Afridi's four-wicket haul helped them limit the gritty rivals to 227 for nine in their must-win game.
If Afghanistan finished with a below par total after electing to bat under sunny conditions, it was because the batsmen threw away their wickets with some poor shot selection.
Contributions from Asghar Afghan (42 off 35) and Najibullah Zadran (42 off 54) gave the bowlers something to bowl at.
Shaheen Afridi, who had starred in Pakistan's win over New Zealand, was impressive upfront as well as in the death overs, ending with figures of four for 47 in 10 overs.
Batting has been Afghanistan's weakest link in the competition in which they are yet to win a game in seven attempts. And the batsmen disappointed yet again.
Afridi put Pakistan on top with a double strike in his opening spell, removing skipper Gulbadin Naib (15) and Hashmatullah Shahidi off successive balls. Pakistan got the on-field call overturned to have Naib adjudged caught behind for their first wicket.
Afghanistan were in more trouble when a set Rahmat Shah (35) was dismissed by left-arm spinner Imad Wasim.
Asghar and wicket-keeper batsman Ikram Ali Khil (24) then tried to resurrect the innings with a 64-run stand with the former being the aggressor. Asghar went on the offensive against the spinners to limited success but in the end leggie Shadab Khan had the last laugh as he swept one on to his stumps.
The former Afghanistan captain's entertaining knock comprised three fours and couple of sixes.
Zadran came up with a handy innings towards the end to lend the total some respectability on a slow surface.
Besides Afridi's stellar showing, pacer Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim picked up two wickets each.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
MP: 10 Naxals with total bounty of Rs 2.36 cr surrender in front of CM with AK-47s, INSAS rifles
Balaghat (PTI): Ten hardcore Naxalites, including four women, carrying a collective bounty of Rs 2.36 crore on their heads, surrendered in Balaghat on Sunday, prompting Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to declare Dindori and Mandla completely free from the Naxal influence.
The surrendered Naxalits laid down modern weapons, including AK-47 and INSAS rifles, in front of Yadav. They were part of the 'Bhorsadev area committee' of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), officials said.
"Dindori and Mandla are now completely free from Naxal influence. A complete Naxal eradication campaign will begin in Balaghat from January. Those who return to the mainstream will get a rehabilitation package for 15 years, while strict action will continue against those who do not," Yadav said.
At the 'Punarvas Se Purnajeevan' (rehabilitation) event held at the Balaghat police lines, Yadav urged Naxalites to join the mainstream under the government's surrender policy and said the administration would ensure their rehabilitation.
"The government's rehabilitation policy is not just an announcement but a guarantee. Anyone who gives up violence and surrenders will get full opportunities for a dignified life, security and rehabilitation.
"The government's aim is to provide a safe future to every person who wants to walk the path of development and peace," he said.
Yadav said the government was committed to freeing Madhya Pradesh of Naxalism as per the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
"The time has come to give the last salute to 'Lal Salaam'. The campaign was to be completed by March 2026, but due to the indomitable courage of our security agencies and police, a roadmap has now been prepared to finish it by January 2026." No one would be permitted to pick up arms, he added.
The ten were members of the 'Bhoramdeo area committee' of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), officials said.
"They belonged to the new division KB of the Maharashtra'?MP'?Chhattisgarh (MMC) zone comprising Kanha Tiger Reserve in Mandla and the Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary of Kawardha district in Chhattisgarh. It was led by ultra Sunder alias Kabir.
"MP shares borders with Gondia district of Maharashtra as well as Rajnandgaon, Khairagarh and Kawardha of Chhattisgarh," an official said.
"They had formed the GRB division comprising Gondia, Rajnandgaon and Balaghat. Chief Minister Yadav gave the surrendered Naxalites copies of the Constitution," the official added.
The surrendered cadres were identified as Sunder alias Kabir alias Soma (AK-47, bounty Rs 62 lakh), Rakesh Odo alias Bima, Samar alias Samru alias Raju (.303 rifle, bounty Rs 14 lakh), Salita alias Savita (SLR, bounty Rs 14 lakh), Vikram alias Hidma (bounty Rs 14 lakh) and Lalsing Madavi alias Seengoo (INSAS, bounty Rs 14 lakh).
The others were Shilpa (INSAS, bounty Rs 14 lakh), Zarina alias Jogi (bounty Rs 14 lakh), Jaysheela (single-shot gun, bounty Rs 14 lakh) and Naveen alias Hidma (single-shot gun, bounty Rs 14 lakh).
On the occasion, Director General of Police Kailash Makwana said new camps have been established by security personnel, while the anti-Naxal Hawk Force and police are being strengthened.
He said officers and personnel are being continuously encouraged. These actions have produced positive results.
"Surrenders are rising in Madhya Pradesh as well as other states. Efforts in employment and skill development had helped connect youth and citizens from Naxal-affected areas to the mainstream," the DGP added.
