HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan secured a hard-fought victory over Afghanistan, winning the 3-match ODI series 2-0 in a nail-biting encounter at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan set a challenging target of 301 runs for Pakistan. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz shone with a powerful display of batting prowess, contributing a remarkable 151 runs off 151 balls, including 3 sixes and 14 fours. His aggressive innings set the tone for Afghanistan’s innings.
Partnering with Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran also played a significant role by adding 80 runs to the scoreboard off 101 balls, featuring 2 sixes and 6 fours. The opening duo formed a formidable partnership of 231 runs for the first wicket, with Afghanistan’s total reaching 231 runs in the 42nd over.
The Afghan team’s effort was further supported by Mohammad Nabi, who contributed 29 runs off 29 balls, and Hashmatullah Shahidi, who scored 15 runs off 11 balls. Afghanistan managed to post a total of 300 runs in their allotted 50 overs.
Pakistan’s bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi secured 2 wickets for 58 runs in his 10 overs. Naseem Shah and Usman Mir also contributed, taking one wicket each while conceding 45 and 61 runs, respectively.
In response to Afghanistan’s target, Pakistan’s openers Fakhar-ul-Zaman and Inam-ul-Haq started their innings confidently. However, Fakhar-ul-Zaman’s departure after scoring 30 runs off 34 balls led to Pakistan’s first wicket falling at 52 runs in 8.6 overs.
Captain Babar Azam took charge to support Inam-ul-Haq and took the team’s total to 170 runs, contributing 53 runs off 66 balls with 6 sixes. Despite their efforts, Babar Azam was eventually caught by Fazlul Haq Farooqui and sent to the pavilion by Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Inam-ul-Haq’s standout performance became a highlight of the match, scoring a solid 91 runs off 105 balls with 4 fours. However, the Pakistani middle-order faced challenges, resulting in a series of dismissals. Pakistan’s sixth wicket fell at 208 runs in 37.5 overs when Salman Ali Agha was caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Mohammad Nabi’s delivery.
As the match reached its climax, the pressure mounted. Pakistan’s pursuit of the target took a dramatic turn, but Inam-ul-Haq’s resilient effort and contribution proved pivotal in securing victory for Pakistan. The team displayed strong determination, eventually edging out Afghanistan by a single wicket.
With this triumph, Pakistan clinched the ODI series 2-0 against a spirited Afghan side. The match showcased the essence of cricket’s unpredictability, serving as a thrilling testament to the resilience and talent exhibited by both teams.
