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The first ODI of the three-match series between Afghanistan and Pakistan went underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on Tuesday (August 22). The match started off with Afghanistan bowlers pushing the Green Team on the back foot and Mujeeb ur Rahman trapping Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for a duck in his spin wizardry.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Pakistan innings got off to a rocky start as Fakhar Zaman departed after contributing just 2 runs off 4 deliveries. The real blow came when their captain and star batter, Babar, was dismissed without troubling the scorers, courtesy of an exceptional delivery from Mujeeb.
Mujeeb ur Rahman dismiss Babar Azam for a duck
The magic moment occurred in the second over of the Pakistan innings when Mujeeb bowled a fuller delivery that spun sharply back in from outside off. The delivery almost resembled an inswinger, catching Babar off guard as he misjudged the line. The ball beat Babar’s inside edge and struck him on the pads. He was given out leg before wicket as the ball was going to hit the middle stump. The Afghan players erupted in celebration as the umpire’s finger went up, signalling the opposition batter’s departure.
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Babar Azam’s review goes in vain
Although Babar challenged the decision and went upstairs for a review, the third umpire upheld the on-field match official’s decision after the ball tracking technology confirmed that the white leather would have indeed hit the stumps. As a result, Babar had to make his way back to the pavilion without opening his account.
Here’s the video:
Babar Azam departs for a duck!
PAK: 7-2 (2)
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.#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/pO4nFYNjMn— FanCode (@FanCode) August 22, 2023
Pakistan struggling to get going against the Afghan bowling attack
With Babar’s departure, Pakistan found themselves in a tricky situation, struggling at 7-2. The early loss of wickets forced the incoming batters to rebuild the innings and consolidate against the Afghan bowling attack. Mohammad Rizwan batted brilliantly in the pressure situation, but he also fell victim to Mujeeb in the eighth over of the innings.
Imam-ul-Haq was steady on the crease for Pakistan and batting alongside Agha Salman, with the team reeling at 53-3 in 12 overs.
