ISLAMABAD: Pakistan clinched victory in the second match of the one-day international (ODI) series against Afghanistan by one wicket in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, following their remarkable triumph in the first match by 142 runs.
Building on their outstanding performance in the previous match, the Men in Green secured their series win.
Naseem Shah, who had previously led Pakistan to victory against the same opponent in the Asia Cup 2022, once again steered the Green Shirts to an exhilarating win in the final over, with 11 runs needed off 6 balls.
While pursuing a target of 301 runs, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman with a score of 52. However, Imam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam forged a crucial partnership of 118 runs, firmly placing their team in a commanding position.
After reaching his fifty, Babar fell to Fazalhaq Farooq, initiating a sequence of wickets for the winning side.
Although the situation appeared bleak for the Green Shirts at one point, Shadab Khan’s innings of 48 off 35 revived their chances and brought them back into the game.
Final over witnessed dramatic moments.
Meanwhile, the final over witnessed dramatic moments. While preparing to deliver the ball, Fazalhaq managed to run out Shadab, who had been positioned at the non-striker’s end. However, despite this unique dismissal, Naseem assumed control of Pakistan’s batting and guided them to victory.
During the first innings, Afghanistan’s opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz amassed 151 runs, propelling Afghanistan to a total of 300-5 in 50 overs.
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan’s opening pair, consisting of Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, put together a partnership of 227 runs. This marked Afghanistan’s second-highest ODI partnership.
Zadran (80) was dismissed by Usama Mir before he could achieve his fifth ODI century. However, Gurbaz persisted and completed his 150 runs from a run-a-ball.
In the 45th over, Shaheen Shah Afridi eventually dismissed him, compounding the damage that had already befallen Pakistan. His aggressive innings included 14 boundaries and three maximums.
Shaheen secured two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Usama claimed one each.
In the second ODI, Afghanistan made changes to their lineup by replacing Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai, who had retired hurt in the first match, with Riaz Hassan and Shahid Kamal. Pakistan, on the other hand, remained unchanged in the contest.
Playing XI
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Shahid Kamal, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
