Last Update on: August 23rd, 2023 at 02:36 pm
Indian cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle was awestruck after seeing Babar Azam-led Pakistan pace trio in the first ODI match of the series on Tuesday (August 22nd) at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. The pace trio includes Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah.
Pakistan won the toss in the first ODI match of the series and opted to bat first. In the first inning, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq came to open for Pakistan.
Fakhar Zaman failed to perform, however, Imam-ul-Haq played a stupendous 61-run knock from 94 balls which helped the Men in Green to give a target of 202 runs. Babar Azam had a disappointing after he went for a duck in the second over.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack had a stellar inning as Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up three wickets and gave away 33 runs in his 10-over spell.
Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi took two wickets each to help the home side. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmat Shah scalped one wicket each.
In the second inning, Haris Rauf-led Pakistan bowling ran a rampage at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium as the Men in Green pacer dismissed Afghanistan’s batting lineup at 59 runs in the 20th over.
No Afghani batsman could cross the 20-run mark and five batsmen went for a duck including the Afghanistan skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Shaheen Afridi started the uproar of the Pakistan bowling after he picked up two wickets in the third over and dismissed Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah. Naseem Shah managed to take the Afghani skipper in the fourth over. However, after that Haris Rauf started the show and got five wickets in his bag.
Rauf took five wickets and gave away 18 runs in his 6.2-over spell. Meanwhile, Afridi picked two wickets in his four-over spell and gave away just nine runs. Whereas, Naseem Shah scalped one wicket and gave away 12 runs in his five-over spell.
As good a trio as any in world cricket: Harsha Bhogle on Pakistan bowling attack
Harsha Bhogle took to his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account and said that the pace trio has been sending a strong message to the cricket world.
“Pakistan are sending out a strong message with their fast bowling. As good a trio as any in world cricket. And this, in spite of the usual comings and goings in the administration,” Harsha Bhogle posted.
Pakistan are sending out a strong message with their fast bowling. As good a trio as any in world cricket. And this, in spite of the usual comings and goings in the administration
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 22, 2023
Pakistan are currently in a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Babar Azam’s side will take on Afghanistan in the second ODI match on Thursday (August 24th) at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.
In the upcoming days, Pakistan will also host the Asia Cup 2023 along with Sri Lanka and will start their campaign against Nepal on Wednesday (August 30th) at Multan International Stadium in Multan.