HumBantota: Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in the first One Day International (ODI) match by a substantial margin of 142 runs, with a brilliant bowling performance by Haris Rauf, who was named the best player of the match.
In the first ODI match played at HumBantota, Pakistan set a target of 202 runs, and Afghanistan’s team collapsed at 59 runs in 19.2 overs.
None of Afghanistan’s 9 batsmen could enter double figures, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring 18 and Azmatullah Omarzai contributing 16 runs.
Haris Rauf led the way with five wickets, while Shaheen Afridi secured two wickets, and Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan took one wicket each.
Previously, Pakistan was bowled out for 201 runs in 47 overs, and Afghanistan was given a target of 202 runs to win.
Imam-ul-Haq was prominent with 61 runs, Shadab Khan played an innings of 39 runs, Fakhar Zaman scored 2 runs, captain Babar Azam was hit by Mujeebur Rahman without scoring any runs.
Iftikhar Ahmed scored 30 runs, wicketkeeper batsman Muhammad Rizwan scored 21 and Naseem Shah got out after scoring 8 runs, Rashid Khan showed the way to the pavilion for Agha Salman on 7 runs.
From Afghanistan’s side, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took the wickets of three batsmen, while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi secured two wickets each.
Afghanistan’s team includes the following players:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmatullah Garbaz, Ibrahim Zardan, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Akram Ali Khel, Azmatullah Umar Zai, Abdul Rahman, Rashid Khan, Mujeebur Rahman and Fazalul Haq Farooqui.
National Captain Babar Azam mentioned after the toss that this series is crucial preparation for the Asia Cup and the World Cup. He stated that they will play according to the conditions and strive to build pressure on Afghanistan by setting a good target.
Afghan captain’s gift of traditional clothes to Pakistani team.
It should be noted that before the series as a gesture of goodwill, Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi presented gifts of traditional Afghan clothing to the players of the Pakistani team.
