‘Aik over main 25 bhi kar leinge’: Asif Ali to Shoaib Malik

Asif Ali clinched the match for Pakistan, beating Afghanistan with five wickets.

The champion @AasifAli2018
Four 6s in the penultimate over wins it for Pakistan!#WeHaveWeWill #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/x6Ve3IHYZl

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 29, 2021

At the post-match ceremony Asif said: “The boundary was small from this end so I told Shoaib Malik that I’d go for it this over. Thank God we pulled it off.”

He further said: “I look at the situation and what it demands and which bowler has overs remaining, and the field setting.”

“I told Shoaib [Malik] that Naveen was bowling well, and from this end I could even score 25 in an over. So I planned for it,” he concluded.

“The bowlers bowled brilliantly at the start, but I think we gave 10-15 runs too many away,” said Babar at the post-match ceremony.

“We didn’t quite use the Powerplay as well as we hoped but Asif and Shoaib Malik at the death were brilliant. The way Asif has played many innings at the PSL, I was very confident he’d get us out of any trouble we find ourselves in,” he added.

Babar also said: “I wanted to stay till the end but got out, unfortunately. So credit to Asif Ali.”

Pakistan needed 24 runs in the last two overs. Hitting four sixes in the 19th over, Asif sealed the deal for Pakistan.

That winning moment!! #WeHaveWeWill #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/DWUB7WRP5r

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 29, 2021

Many notables, cricketers and Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to congratulate Pakistan and thank Asif for the win. Here are a few Tweets:

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

Asif Ali you beauty!!!

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 29, 2021

#asifyoubeauty incredible hitting under pressure. Sensational 👏👏Congrats boys keep up the good work. #PakistanZindabad

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) October 29, 2021

Asif Ali is the best finisher in the game congratulations 👏 Pakistan . What a performance. #ICCT20WorldCup2021 #AsifAli #PakvsAfghanistan

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) October 29, 2021

4 sixes in an over, Brilliant by @AasifAli2018💪🏼 Our boys dominating once again. The energy is unreal. Everyone is giving their best👍🏼 Congratulations and well done team @TheRealPCB! #PakvsAfg pic.twitter.com/rdAr9lOeqY

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) October 29, 2021

Congratulations team Pakistan. 3rd win in a row. What a finish by @AasifAli2018
Great fight back team @ACBofficials #PakvsAfg

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) October 29, 2021

While former Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif wants to make a flyover in Asif Ali’s name.

Shots wese flyover wali theen

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 29, 2021

England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes took to Twitter and wrote: “Remember the name @AasifAli2018.”

Remember the name @AasifAli2018

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 29, 2021

Meanwhile, the power hitter took to Twitter and wrote: “Aur koi hukam Pakistan? Shukriya @isbunited aur woh sub log jinho ne mere per belief rakha mere mushkil waqt mai. #PakistanZindabad.”

Aur koi hukam Pakistan? Shukriya @isbunited aur woh sub log jinho ne mere per belief rakha mere mushkil waqt mai. #PakistanZindabad

— Asif Ali (@AasifAli45) October 29, 2021