In the first ODI of the three-match series, Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 142 runs at Hambantota. With an amazing bowling performance from pacer Haris Rauf, Pakistan dismantled the Afghani batting line-up and won the game by a huge margin. With this victory, the team took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam opted to bat first. His decision didn’t go well with the team, as Pakistan lost two wickets in the first two overs. Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Fakhar Zaman for just 2 runs off 4 balls. Walking at number three, Babar also failed to capitalise on the opportunity as he was trapped leg before by Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the very next over.
Pakistan lost four wickets for just 62 runs and was struggling to build a partnership. Meanwhile, opener Imam-Ul-Haq scored a half-century and added 50 runs for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed. Imam, in his innings, scored 61 runs off 94 balls with the help of two fours. On the other hand, Ifthikhar scored 30 runs off 41 balls. In the end, a cameo from Shadab Khan helped Pakistan cross the 200-run mark.
The hosts posted 201/10 in 47.1 overs as Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb took three wickets. Another spinner, Rashid Khan, and Mohammed Nabi clinched two wickets each. Meanwhile, pacers Farooqi and Rahmat took a wicket each. It was looking like Afghanistan’s game was at halftime, but Pakistan had some other plans.
Afghanistan batter crumbled against the Pakistani pace attack
Playing on their strength, the Pakistani pace attack left no stone unturned to beat Afghanistan. Starting with Shaheen Afridi in the third over, Pakistan ripped through the visitors’ batting line-up. Afridi dismissed two batters in the third over, giving Pakistan an edge in the game. After that, Afghanistan never looked in the game as they lost the plot. As many as four battered ducks registered, including two golden ducks.
For Afghanistan, wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored the most runs. He added 18 runs off 47 balls. Meanwhile, Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf took five wickets. On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi took two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan got one wicket each. With this amazing performance, Pakistan has warned other countries ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup.
Here is how fans reacted to Pakistan’s victory:
Despite a win, Pakistan have to find these errors in batting. What if they chase 220-230 in Chennai against the same unit. Their bowling is great but batting still lacks. Meanwhile, they have a long tour to sort this out.
— CHARLIE (@CharlieGulshan) August 22, 2023
Virat kohli to haris rauf pic.twitter.com/1Lohy9NjdC
— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) August 23, 2023
kya fayda itni mehnat ka jab Kohli phir se 3 six maar dega ???
— Quazi Farooque Azam (@itsqfa) August 22, 2023
Imagine the outrage if same Afghanistan team failing against India. All the Pakistan would have called them cheats. "IPL contract ke liye match haar rahe." ?
— Wa?iyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) August 22, 2023
Fluke win
— Dennis? (@DenissForReal) August 22, 2023
Pakistani bowling was its best! It was bit too much for Afghan batters
— Sammy Alex M. (@alexcrypto22) August 22, 2023
Bhikharistanis are crying, Cry more bhikharis ?? pic.twitter.com/ZyGcSfhnuR
— Dennis? (@DenissForReal) August 22, 2023
Pakistan in form
— Felix Makwana (@felixmakwana) August 22, 2023
Insane!
— Meta ? (@metacryptonian) August 22, 2023
What a dominating display by Pakistan! ??? Afghanistan bundled out for 59 runs in the 1st ODI is a testament to Pakistan's bowling prowess. Kudos to Haris Rauf for his exceptional performance with a stunning 5/18. Way to go, team! ??
— Free soul Faizan (@FreesoulFaizan) August 22, 2023
??pakistani bowlers ?
— Ajinkya.?? (@aJinKyA3356) August 22, 2023
Haris rauf will be very dangerous in the upcoming Asia cup
— ? ? ? ? ? ?ç?????? (@i_am_juari) August 22, 2023
Next match they will come back stronger, I believe a lot in Naveen Ul Haq
— User45 (@140off113) August 22, 2023
