AFG vs PAK: Afghanistan Records Their Second-Lowest Total In ODI Cricket During 1st Match Against Pakistan
Published - 23 Aug 2023, 07:00 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
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The Pakistan National Cricket Team beat the Afghanistan National Cricket Team by 142 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series in Hambantota. Tearaway pacer Haris Rauf was named Player of the Match for his impressive bowling performance in the series opener.
The Babar Azam-led team managed to score 201 runs after opting to bat first at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium on Tuesday, August 22. Pakistan bundled out the opposition for just 59 runs while defending a low target on challenging batting conditions.
Afghanistan Registered Their Second Lowest Total In ODIs
The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team registered their second-lowest total in ODI history, which also stands as the lowest ever recorded against Pakistan in the 50-over format. Earlier, New Zealand managed to score a total of 64 runs against the Men in Green in 1956 in Sharjah.
Afghanistan’s cricket team lost all five matches against the Pakistan cricket team. The Afghans’ total of 59 runs is their second-lowest total in ODI cricket. The team’s previous lowest score (58) was recorded against the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team in Sharjah back in 2016.
Imam-ul-Haq Shone With Match-Defining Half Century
Opener Imam-ul-Haq displayed resilience by crafting a hard-fought half-century in challenging batting conditions. The left-handed batter scored 61 to help the team reach a competitive total. Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab Khan (39) made valuable contributions in the lower part of the order.
In the run chase, Afghan batters had no answers against Pakistan’s pace bowling attack. Shaheen Afridi (2/19) and Naseem Shah (1/12) provided early breakthroughs in the play. Haris Rauf dismantled the Afghanistan middle order by picking up five wickets for just 18 runs in his 6.2 overs.
The Spell Of Haris Rauf Was Game-Changing – Babar Azam
Speaking after the match, Pakistan captain Babar Azam lauded Haris Rauf for his bowling, saying that his spell was a game-changing moment.
The Men in Green will take on the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team in the second ODI at the same venue on Thursday, August 24. Pakistan are currently leading the team match series 1-0.
