FATULLAH: Afghan bowler Dawlat Zadran (2nd L) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Pakistan batsman Shahid Afridi during the third match of the Asia Cup One Day Cricket tournament between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali S FATULLAH, Feb 27 (AFP): Umar Akmal hit a fighting unbeaten century to lift defending champions Pakistan to 248-8 in their crucial Asia Cup match against a disciplined Afghanistan at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium here Thursday.
The 23-year-old right-hander led the recovery with a 89-ball 102, hitting a six off the penultimate delivery to complete his second one-day hundred.
In all he hit seven boundaries and three sixes, helping Pakistan to put on 59 runs in the last five overs.
Akmal led the fightback through a 60-run seventh wicket stand with Anwar Ali (21) to lift Pakistan from a precarious 117-6 in the 30th over.
Mirwais Ashraf (2-29), Dawlat Zadran (2-73) and Samiullah Shinwari (2-34) had jolted the batting after Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bowl on a slow Fatullah stadium pitch.
Pakistan began fluently with a stand of 55 between Ahmed Shehzad (50), who hit seven boundaries in his 74-ball innings, and Sharjeel Khan (25).
© 2026 - All Rights with The Financial Express
