Pakistan march on in T20 World Cup as Asif Ali strikes four sixes in an over to beat Afghanistan

Babar starred with the bat in the chase after Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib had given the Afghans some hope, having decided to bat first in this Super 12 clash

Dubai: Afghanistan 147-6, Pakistan 148-5 - Pakistan won by five wickets

Scorecard

Pakistan survived a scare to maintain their collision course with the T20 World Cup semi-finals by beating Afghanistan by five wickets in Dubai.

Babar Azam anchored the chase and Asif Ali produced a critical cameo at the death to take Pakistan to their third win from three games at the tournament, after Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib had given the Afghans some hope with the bat.

Nabi and Gulbadin added 71 in 7.1 overs for the sixth wicket to ensure Afghanistan registered a competitive score, after their side had been reduced to 76 for 6 early on.

Imad Wasim claimed 2 for 25 with his slow left arm, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan each took one wicket as Afghanistan made their way to 147 for 6.

In reply, Mohammad Rizwan fell early to the bowling of Mujeeb ur Rahman, but Babar and Fakhar Zaman put on 63 for the second wicket.

^{Pakistan have won three out of three at the T20 World Cup}

Fakhar was felled by Nabi, trapped lbw, and Mohammad Hafeez was caught in the deep by Gulbadin off Rashid Khan - the spinner's 100th T20I wicket - but Pakistan had already laid themselves a platform of considerable strength.

Naveen-ul-Haq put down Babar, sprawling in front of himself at backward point off Rashid with 28 still needed, but Rashid bowled the Pakistan skipper - playing across the line to one of the Afghan's many googlies - to give his side hope.

At that stage, Pakistan appeared to be coasting to victory but a combination of Rashid Khan's spin and Naveen-ul-Haq's intelligent seam variations pulled Afghanistan back into the tie.

Shoaib Malik was caught behind aiming a wholehearted drive at Naveen and with 12 balls of the innings left, Pakistan needed 24.

Enter Asif.

The allrounder - Pakistan's most reliable six-hitter - did not bow to the pressure and struck four sixes in the 19th over to take his team to victory and all but ensuring their place in the last four.