Rauf’s distinctive efficiency of 5-18 in 6.2 overs left Afghanistan struggling at their second-lowest ODI whole of 59 runs, attained over a mere 19.2 overs. This exceptional feat adopted Pakistan’s batting innings, the place they have been dismissed for 201 runs in 47.1 overs.
With this triumph, Pakistan now maintain a 1-Zero lead within the three-match collection, marking the primary bilateral collection between these two nations. The upcoming matches are scheduled to happen in Colombo on Thursday and Saturday.
Rauf’s harmful spell commenced after fellow quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took out Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah with consecutive deliveries within the third over, decreasing Afghanistan to 3-4.
Naseem Shah contributed by dismissing Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, with out scoring. Subsequently, Rauf took over, finishing the excellent victory.
Rauf secured wickets by dismissing Ikram Alikhil, high scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, finishing the dismantling of Afghanistan’s batting order.
Rauf’s earlier greatest efficiency was a 4-65 towards England in Birmingham in 2021. Shaheen Shah Afridi concluded with figures of 2-9.
Afghanistan’s lowest ODI whole throughout all matches is 58 runs, recorded towards Zimbabwe in Sharjah in 2016.
Earlier Rahman was Pakistan’s wrecker-in-chief. The 22-year-old dismissed world primary batter Babar Azam for a third-ball duck to complete with figures of 3-33, whereas Nabi took 2-34 and Rashid 2-42.
Solely opener Imam-ul-Haq with a 94-ball 61, Shadab Khan (39) and Iftikhar Ahmed (30) supplied some resistance as Pakistan’s much-vaunted batting failed on a gradual Hambantota stadium pitch.
Batting first after successful the toss, Pakistan misplaced opener Fakhar Zaman off the fourth ball of the match for 2 earlier than Rahman dismissed Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (21) in his first spell.
Haq steadied the innings with a fifth wicket stand of 50 with Ahmed and one other 40 with Shadab earlier than Nabi dismissed Haq and Ahmed in fast succession.
Haq’s 17th half century had solely two boundaries.
Ace spinner Rashid chipped in with the wickets of Agha Salman (seven) and Shaheen Shah Afridi for 2.
Shadab, who hit three boundaries in his 50-ball knock, added a useful 35-run stand with Naseem (18 not out) for the ninth wicket earlier than the latter was run out.
(With AFP inputs)
