Pakistan’s ascent to victory was propelled by their stable batting efficiency, which noticed them accumulate 268-Eight of their allotted 50 overs. Mohammad Rizwan‘s resilient innings of 67 off 79 balls and skipper Babar Azam‘s composed 60 off 86 balls had been pivotal in constructing this aggressive complete.
In response, Pakistan’s bowlers executed successfully, in the end dismissing Afghanistan for 209 runs in 48.four overs. A standout efficiency got here from quantity 9 batsman Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who blazed his strategy to a outstanding 64 off simply 37 balls- his maiden half-century in ODIs.
Rahman’s explosive knock included a formidable show of power-hitting, that includes 5 sixes and an equal variety of boundaries. His distinctive feat was highlighted by his lightning-fast fifty, a brand new Afghan report for the quickest fifty in ODIs, achieved in a mere 26 balls.
Sadly, his innings got here to an surprising finish as he by accident hit his stumps and was dismissed hit wicket, falling sufferer to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling.
The earlier report holder for Afghanistan’s quickest ODI fifty was Rashid Khan, who completed the feat in 27 balls in opposition to Eire in Abu Dhabi the earlier 12 months.
Rahman and Shahidullah Kamal (37 off 65 balls) shared a valiant stand of 57 for the eighth wicket to present some respectability to the whole after their staff had been reeling at 97-7.
Rahman additionally added 45 for the ninth wicket with Fareed Ahmad Malik who scored 17.
Pakistan gained the primary match by 142 runs and by one wicket within the second — each video games performed in Hambantota.
Pakistan had been at quantity two within the Worldwide Cricket Council ODI rankings earlier than the sequence however the 3-Zero triumph lifted them above Australia.
Pakistan had been briefly primary earlier this 12 months.
Pakistan medium pacer Faheem Ashraf eliminated Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made a century within the final recreation, for 5 and Ibrahim Zadran for an 11-ball duck to complete with 2-43.
Pakistan rested frontline bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah in 4 modifications however they had been nonetheless adequate with the ball as spinners Shadab Khan (3-42) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-45) shared 5 wickets.
“Sure, we’re primary,” mentioned Azam, who can be the primary batsman within the ODI rankings.
“All credit score to boys. Now we have labored arduous for the final of couple of months and it has taken us up to now, so I’m actually blissful.”
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted his staff was not up to speed.
“We did not apply ourselves,” mentioned Shahidi. “We’re upset with the efficiency however there’s lots of studying.”
It was Rizwan and Azam who anchored Pakistan’s innings after they gained the toss and batted.
Rizwan hit six boundaries and a six whereas Azam knocked 4 boundaries and a six to assist Pakistan to a preventing complete.
The Rizwan-Azam pair added 110 runs for the third wicket to regular the innings after pacer Gulbadin Naib eliminated openers Fakhar Zaman (27) and Imam-ul-Haq (13).
Pakistan stuttered within the center overs with 4 wickets misplaced for the addition of simply 27 runs, together with Azam’s wicket who scored his 28th half century.
Saud Shakeel was run out for 9 and Shadab for simply three as Pakistan had been struggling at 189-6.
Agha Salman (38 not out) and Nawaz (30) added 61 for the seventh wicket as Pakistan added 80 within the final ten overs.
Salman hit 4 boundaries and a six in his 31-ball fast hearth knock.
Naib was the choose of Afghanistan bowlers with 2-36.
The 2 groups will now characteristic within the six-nation Asia Cup beginning in Multan from August 30.
(With AFP Inputs)
