Stand-in captain Shadab Khan produced an all-round performance to guide Pakistan to a consolation 66-run win in the third T20I in Sharjah on Monday as Afghanistan took the series 2-1.

Having lost the first two matches by six and seven wickets respectively, Pakistan’s new-look side posted 182-7 in 20 overs before restricting Afghanistan to 116 in 18.4 overs.

Opener Saim Ayub led an improved batting show after Pakistan’s below-par 92-9 and 130-6 in the first two matches.

Shadab then became the first Pakistani and seventh bowler overall to complete 100 T20I wickets in his 87th match, claiming 3-13.

Afghanistan were never in the hunt for the stiff target as fiery pacer Ihsanullah dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) and Karim Janat (nought) before his sharp bouncer left Najibullah Zadran’s chin bleeding.

Najibullah was stable but could not resume his innings. Azmatullah Omarzai, a concussion substitute for Najibullah, top-scored with a 20-ball 21, hitting a six and two boundaries.

Ihsanullah finished with 3-29.

Mohammad Nabi was run out for 17, Rashid Khan made 16 and Usman Ghani scored 15 before becoming Shadab’s 100th T20I wicket.

Despite the series defeat, Pakistan can take heart from the fact that they checked their bench strength, having rested regular captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

“The main motive of this series was to give the youngsters a chance so, hopefully, they will get confidence from these matches and it will help them in the long run,” said Shadab.

Rashid said the series win was memorable.

“It’s special to be part of this team, it was a great effort from everyone. We won the series, but we have some areas to improve on.

“Any series after this is a good preparation for us before the World Cup,” said Rashid of the 50-over tournament in India later this year.

Earlier, Ayub hit a solid 40-ball 49 with two sixes and four boundaries while Iftikhar Ahmed scored 31 from 25 balls with two sixes.

Shadab, who made 28, and Abdullah Shafique (23) were the other main run-getters.

For Afghanistan, spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers with 2-28.

The series was arranged to replace the three ODIs that Afghanistan were slated to play against Australia this month in the UAE.

But Cricket Australia abandoned the series in protest of Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban putting a ban on women’s education and cricket in their country.

© Agence France-Presse