Pakistan is Now World’s #1 ODI Team in ICC Ranking

Colombo, 27 August: Pakistan won the third and final ODI of the 3-match series by 59 runs against Afghanistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, thus achieving series victory with a clean sweep (3-0) and becoming the world’s number one ranked ODI team in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking system.

Skipper Babar Azam (60) and wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan (67) scored important fifties while stitching an important 110-run partnership after the loss of both opening batters Fakhar Zaman (27) and Imam-ul-Haq (13) cheaply. Towards the end of the innings, Agha Salman Ali played a cameo (38* in 31 balls) and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz contributed 30 runs in 25 balls.

A 61-run partnership between Nawaz and Agha allowed Pakistan to post 268/8 in the allotted 50 overs on a tricky Colombo surface.

In pursuit of a 269-run target, Afghanistan batters were rattled by Faheem Ashraf’s pace and accuracy, and Shadab Khan’s guile, thus reducing Afghanistan to 61-4 in the 21st over of the match.  Shadab Khan claimed three wickets (42/3) in his quota of 10 overs while all-rounder Faheem Ashraf took two wickets (43/2) in 8 overs. Mohammad Nawaz also took two wickets, and Agha Salman Ali also claimed one wicket with his gentle spin.

Mujeeb Ur Rehman played brilliantly for his 64 runs in 63 balls, laced with five sixes and five fours, to salvage some pride for his side. Eventually, Afghanistan was bundled out for 209 in 48.4 overs. 

For his innings of 67 runs, Mohammad Rizwan was adjudged player of the match. Imam-ul-Haq was declared player of the series for being a consistent performer with the bat.

Pakistan won the first match by 142 runs, second by one wicket, and third by 59 runs to complete an emphatic clean sweep against Afghanistan.