PAK v AFG, 1st ODI— Pakistan Pace Battery Too Hot to Handle For Afghanistan

Pic Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Afghanistan 59 All Out

Hambantota, 22 August: Pakistani pace battery comprising Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled hostile pace to defend 201 runs against Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series in Sri Lanka. Haris Rauf was all guns blazing as he claimed a five-for (18/5) to play a pivotal role in bundling out Afghanistan for paltry 59 runs while chasing 202 in the allotted 50 overs.

Shaheen Afridi struck early taking wickets of opening batter Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah while Naseem Shah got an important wicket of the Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi. Ibrahim, Rahmat and Hashmatullah all got out for ducks.

Haris Rauf for his five-wicket haul was adjudged player of the match. He bowled a great spell in which he clocked 149 kmph.

Earlier, Pakistan batted first but lost Fakhar Zaman for just two runs and skipper Babar Azam for a rare duck. Imam-ul-Haq played sensibly for his 61-run knock from 94 balls before losing his wicket. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan contributed with important knocks of 39 and 21 respectively while Iftikhar Ahmed made 30.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb took three wickets.