Leeds: Imad Wasim was the hero of Pakistan as Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan thrashed Afghanistan by three wickets to keep their World Cup semifinals hope alive on Sunday.
Wasim bagged two wickets for his side and then scored an unbeaten 49 run and hand Afghanistan a 3-wicket defeat.
Defending a tricky total of 228 runs to win in 50 overs, minnows Afghanistan came really close to their first World Cup 2019. However, Imad Wasim and Wahab Riaz stole it from them at the last moment to leave everybody stunned.
On Saturday, the match kept swaying in favour of either of the teams. But it was Gulbadin's 9th over in which Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib gave 18 runs from that tilt that match in Pakistan's favour.
"When I went in, Rashid Khan was bowling brilliantly. I couldn't pick him, to be honest. But we knew that if we play 50 overs, we'll win," Imad said in a post-match interview.
"Gulbadin was the only bowler to be targetted, the wicket was turning square. If you take risks against them you can lose your wicket."
"Thank you very much to the crowd, it feels like home here. This is for the crowd. If we win the next game, you never know what happens. This win gives us confidence as well."
Pakistan will next take on Bangladesh on Friday in their last league match.
