AFG vs PAK: Babar Azam Equals Imran Khan's Record After Being Dismissed For A Duck Against Afghanistan
Published - 23 Aug 2023, 12:34 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
Babar Azam-led Pakistan, on Tuesday (August 22), inflicted a heavy 142-run defeat on Afghanistan in the first ODI to take the lead in the three-match series. The Men in Green recovered from a disastrous start with the bat to register a thumping win over their neighbours in Hambantota.
The architect of the win was their fast bowlers. Pakistan had their back against the wall after their captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first. The likes of Fakhar Zaman (2), Babar Azam (0), and Mohammad Rizwan (21) departed cheaply to leave their team reeling at 40 for 3. At one stage, Pakistan were reeling at 112 for 5.
However, opener Imam-ul-Haq held firm from one end and scored a fighting fifty to guide his side to a respectable total of 201 runs. The left-handed batsman scored 61 runs and got good support from Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab Khan (39).
In reply, Afghanistan were all out for a paltry total of 59 runs inside 20 overs. Hashmatullah Shahidi and his teammates looked clueless against Pakistan’s fast bowlers as Afghanistan were bowled out for their second-lowest ODI score.
After Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah picked up three wickets in the first four overs, Haris Rauf ran riot with the ball. The right-arm pacer picked up 5 wickets for just 18 runs to power his team to a thumping victory.
Babar Azam equals unwanted record:
While Pakistan as a team had a good day at the office, their skipper Babar Azam ended up equaling an unwanted record after failing to open his account. The right-handed batsman was trapped in front of the wicket by spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the second over.
It was the fourth time that Babar Azam got dismissed for a duck in the 50-over format and the second time as a captain. The latest dismissal has seen him equal the record of legendary Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Azhar Ali, and Younis Khan.
He is now fourth on the list of most ducks as Pakistan’s captain. The list is led by Wasim Akram who registered 8 dismissals on duck. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Moin Khan are at the second and third spots respectively with four each and Misbah-ul-Haq with three.
