Pakistan outshined Afghanistan in the inaugural One-Day International (ODI) of their series, clinching a commanding triumph with a 142-run lead.
This remarkable victory unfolded on August 22 at Sri Lanka’s Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.
The win propelled the Pakistani cricket team, often referred to as the “Men in Green,” to a significant 1-0 lead in the enthralling three-match ODI series.
The series carries even more significance due to Afghanistan’s unique circumstance, being compelled to host their home matches abroad due to security concerns within their own nation.
The spotlight of the day undoubtedly belonged to Haris Rauf, whose exceptional performance saw him securing an astounding five-wicket haul.
This feat sent shockwaves through Afghanistan’s batting lineup, leaving them struggling to find their footing. Choosing to bat first after winning the coin toss, Pakistan set a target of 202 runs.
The Pakistani bowlers left no stone unturned, ruthlessly dismantling Afghanistan’s batting order, ultimately bundling them out for a mere 59 runs in just 19.2 overs.
This marked one of Afghanistan’s lowest scores in the history of ODIs, underscoring the sheer dominance of Pakistan’s bowling prowess.
The tone for the match was set right from the start, as Shaheen took two wickets consecutively in his second over, asserting Pakistan’s control over the game.
Contributions from Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan, each claiming a wicket, further solidified Pakistan’s grip. Despite the challenges, Afghanistan’s top scorer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, managed only 18 runs against Pakistan’s relentless bowling assault.
In the earlier part of the match, Pakistan’s innings were characterized by tenacity and late-game heroics. Imam-ul-Haq’s gritty performance, accompanied by Shadab Khan’s impactful contribution towards the end, propelled Pakistan to set a challenging target of 202 runs for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s bowlers initially put Pakistan’s top order under pressure on a spin-friendly pitch. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s early breakthrough had Pakistan on the defensive as he dismissed Fakhar Zaman in his opening over.
The pressure intensified when Pakistani captain Babar Azam, the highest-ranked ODI batter, fell victim to Mujeeb ur Rehman’s spin in the following over.
While Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq attempted to stabilize Pakistan’s innings, their partnership yielded a modest 33 runs before Mujeeb struck again, raising questions with a debatable LBW decision that sparked discussions across social media platforms.
The middle order rose to the occasion as Iftikhar Ahmed and Imam-ul-Haq joined forces, their partnership becoming a pivotal lifeline for Pakistan. With finesse and determination, they both notched up half-centuries, with Imam ultimately contributing a strong 61 off 94 balls before falling prey to Mohammad Nabi’s cunning tactics.
The duo of Shadab Khan and lower-order batsman Naseem Shah later orchestrated a crucial partnership, adding 34 runs off 47 balls.
Shah’s strategic play, combined with Khan’s powerful hitting, turned the tables, leading to an unforgettable victory.
The climax was nothing short of dramatic, with Naseem Shah delivering consecutive sixes in the final two balls of Fazalhaq Farooqui’s over, sealing Pakistan’s triumph in a spectacular manner.
Afghanistan’s bowlers fought valiantly, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi each securing two wickets, adding considerable weight to Afghanistan’s bowling efforts.
Rahmat Shah fittingly claimed the final wicket, concluding Pakistan’s innings and achieving a historic milestone as Afghanistan bowled out Pakistan for the first time in ODIs.