Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Cricket World Reacts After Naseem Shah Repeats 2022 Heroics To Pull Off Thriller

Pakistan were on the jaws of defeat in the second ODI of the three-match series on Thursday (August 24) until pacer Naseem Shah decided to repeat his heroics from Asia Cup 2022, when he pulled off a thrilling last-over win with the bat.

Coincidentally, it was Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who was at the end of Naseem's carnage on both ocassions. In 2022, Naseem struck two sixes to seal a 1 wicket win for Pakistan and on Thursday (August 24), the youngster smashed two fours to seal a 1-wicket victory.

Chasing 301, Pakistan were on the brink of losing for the first time to Afghanistan in ODIs when Farooqi had ran out Shadab Khan at the non-striker's end, leaving the equation of 11 needed from six balls with one wicket in hand.

Then it was all Naseem show as he hit a boundary to bring the equation down to seven off five, regained the strike with three needed off two, and edged another four to spark wild scenes at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota.

The result meant Pakistan took an unassailable lead in the three-match series before the third and final ODI, which is scheduled to take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday (August 26).

The winning moment and Naseem's second such batting display in the final overs of a run chase led the cricketing world and fans into a frenzy. Here are some of the reactions from cricketers to fans:

Some fans called it Naseem vs Farooqi hate story, while some told don't mess with Naseem's batting partner by comparing the run out incident with the Naveen Ul Haq-Asif Ali spat in the Asia Cup 2022.

There were several fans who shared videos comparing the two match-winning final over knocks from Naseem. There were several memes created as well, while some ex cricketers and current cricketers also reacted to the thrilling moment.