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In the first of a three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Pakistan held in Sri Lanka, Pakistan asserted their dominance with an emphatic 142-run victory over the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghan side. This commanding win provided Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series.
The crucial coin toss favoured Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, who elected to bat first. However, Pakistan’s batters confronted a challenging pitch in Hambantota, one that proved to be sluggish and highly conducive to spin. Except for opener Imam-ul-Haq (61), who made a significant contribution and minor contributions from Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab Khan (39), Pakistan struggled to post a competitive total.
Afghanistan’s spin triumvirate, featuring the talents of Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/33), Mohammad Nabi ( 2/34) and Rashid Khan (2/42), combined to stymie Pakistan, eventually restricting them to 201 in 47.1 overs.
Confronted with the task of chasing down this modest target, Pakistan’s bowlers embarked on a relentless and disciplined assault to defend the set total. The left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi spearheaded the destruction by claiming two wickets in two consecutive deliveries during the third over. His scalps included Ibrahim Zadran (0) and Rahmat Shah (0), leaving Afghanistan in dire straits.
Haris Rauf demonstrates carnage with a phenomenal bowling exhibition
The demolition act didn’t relent as Haris Rauf was introduced into the attack with Afghanistan already reeling at 18-3 during the powerplay. He made an immediate impact, finding Ikram Alikhil‘s (4) inside edge with a rapid back-of-a-length delivery. In his fourth over, Rauf induced an edge from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) with a touch of outswing and the ball found its way to the wicketkeeper. Nabi (7) was the next victim, sending a catch straight to Agha Salman at short cover when trying to loft Rauf’s shorter delivery into the off side. Rashid (0) followed suit two balls later, bowled out by a magnificent delivery that pitched on a length around off stump, straightened and clipped the stumps.
Afghanistan continued to collapse and were eight wickets down with Azmatullah Omarzai having retired hurt when Rauf took the final wicket to complete his fifer. Mujeeb (4) tried to heave into the leg side but mistimed the delivery to give an easy catch to Naseem Shah at mid-on. Rauf concluded his spell with remarkable figures of 5-18 runs from 6.2 overs.
Here’s the video:
The PoTM @HarisRauf14 put on an incredible bowling display as he returned with the figures of 5/18 off his 6.2 overs to help @TherealPCB win the first of #SuperColaCup 3-match ODI Series by 142 runs. 👍#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #ByaMaidanGato pic.twitter.com/0IpDbphldK
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 22, 2023
Afghanistan was all-out for just 59 runs, marking their second-lowest ODI total ever in men’s ODIs and the lowest total ever recorded against Pakistan. The second ODI encounter between the two teams is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 24, at the same venue.
Also WATCH: Comedy of errors in Hambantota as Pakistan fielders goof up against Afghanistan
