Pakistan produced 268/8 on the scorecard as they put up a faultless performance in Colombo on Saturday, August 26. They needed a win to claim the top place in the ODI rankings. Along with Rizwan, who reached 67, Babar struck his second consecutive fifty as they set up their innings. Rashid Khan took one wicket, while Gulbadin Naib and Fareed Ahmad both took two.
The contributions of Agha Salman along with Mohammad Nawaz helped the squad surpass the 250-run threshold. Fakhar Zaman along with Imam-ul-Haq were able to put up an opening partnership of 36 runs. Fascinatingly, Babar and Rizwan started Pakistan’s batting in the third ODI by scoring 110 runs over the third wicket.
Afghanistan falter while chasing Pakistan’s massive total
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s heroics from the previous game were not repeated in response as he was dismissed for 5 during the sixth over. After being dismissed for 58 within the first ODI, Afghanistan quickly found themselves at 75/6 and appeared to be headed for yet another embarrassing loss. They gave the Men in Green the initiative after losing wickets at regular intervals.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, however, made it a point to make sure his side does not get embarrassed by putting up a 57-run partnership with Shahidullah Kamal over the eighth wicket until being bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi on 64. Shahidullah Kamal was also clinical as he struck an important 37.
Afghanistan’s tail could not endure for too long, giving Pakistan an easy 59-run win in the third ODI. Pakistan completed an easy 3-0 clean sweep over Afghanistan and kept their unbeaten record against them in the ODI format intact. Afghanistan would be hoping for redemption as the two sides are going to face each other in the Asia Cup as well as World Cup.
On Wednesday, August 30, Pakistan are set to take the field in Multan for their Asia Cup campaign’s opening match against Nepal. On Saturday, September 2, they will play India in Sri Lanka during the second league game in Kandy. On September 3 in Lahore, Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in their opening Asia Cup match.
Fans react to Pakistan completing a clean sweep over Afghanistan after 59-run win in 3rd ODI:
Pakistan sealed the ODI series 3-0.
Now it's time for the big rivalry – India Vs Pakistan in Asia Cup…!! pic.twitter.com/qnxjSShB5T
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 26, 2023
India will win the Asia Cup and beat Pakistan badly.
??????????— ???? ?????? (@imamitkrtiwari) August 26, 2023
one of the best ODI teams! Gotta agree on this… Ind Vs Pak will be something to lookout for.
— ? (@Hustler4CSK) August 26, 2023
No its time for the biggest rivalry between pakistan and nepal. hopefully pakistan wiil give them a tough fight
— ????????!??_?? (@bholination) August 26, 2023
Mujeeb and Gurbaz owned Pakistan ? pic.twitter.com/CifxYbRcBf
— Dennis? (@DenissForReal) August 26, 2023
There was always the biggest rivalry between Pakistan and India, it was because of some such people that there was a little gap in between.
— Kapil Pratap Singh (@kapil9994) August 26, 2023
Owned Afghanistan ???
— MM10 (@Har_uki_) August 26, 2023
IND winning it easily??
— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) August 26, 2023
Can't wait to see Rohit and Kohli bashing pakistani bowlers ?
— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) August 26, 2023
Badhia hai !! Haarne se phle jeetna jruri hota h taki dukh kam ho ? ?
— Shubham ??? (@DhoniKaFan07) August 26, 2023
