Rizwan was awarded the player of the match for his dynamic 67 runs
ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, Pakistan achieved a historic 3-0 whitewash against Afghanistan by securing a 59-run victory in the third ODI at Hambantota.
Afghanistan’s Innings
Afghanistan fell short in their pursuit of 269 runs as they were dismissed for 209 by the Pakistani bowlers. The Afghan spinner, Mujeebur Rahman, stunned the opposition with an impressive 64 runs off just 37 balls, marking his first half-century. However, his innings came to an end when he hit his own wicket off Shah Shah Afridi.
The departure of the opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, early in the innings for 5 runs off 15 balls, initiated a loss of momentum for Afghanistan. Gurbaz’s wicket triggered a downward spiral for the Afghan batting lineup.
Despite the resistance shown by other batsmen against the Pakistani bowlers, notably Riaz Hassan (34 off 66) and Shahidullah (37 off 65), Mujeeb’s explosive performance stood out. His rapid knock included five boundaries and five towering sixes.
The rest of Afghanistan’s batting order struggled to provide substantial resistance. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi managed 13 runs, while Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fareed Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi could only contribute minimally with the bat.
Pakistan’s bowlers displayed exceptional skill. All bowlers except Mohammad Wasim (0-35), who made his debut and bowled impressively but remained without a wicket, succeeded in taking wickets.
Shadab Khan (3-42) continued to make waves with his bowling, securing three wickets. Faheem Ashraf (2-43) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-45) also picked up two wickets each.
Agha Salman, despite bowling just two overs, effectively removed Gulbadin Naib from the crease.
Pakistan’s Innings
In the last ODI, Afghanistan’s bowlers held Pakistan to a total of 268-8.
Choosing to bat first, Pakistan lost their opening batsmen, Fakhar Zaman (27), and Imamul Haq (13) early in the innings.
However, the pairing of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan once again exhibited a strong batting performance.
Babar and Rizwan accumulated 110 runs in 145 balls, setting the stage for Pakistan to post a respectable score.
Babar Azam crafted a 60-run innings off 86 balls, striking four boundaries and a towering six before Rashid Khan dismissed him. Mohammad Rizwan contributed a well-played 67 off 79 balls, featuring six boundaries and a six, before being trapped by Fareed Ahmad.
Following Babar and Rizwan’s dismissals, Pakistan’s middle order faced exposure as the team lost three quick wickets, adding a mere nine runs.
Agha Salman and Mohammad Nawaz, the latter making his debut, formed a vital partnership, amassing a 61-run score off 47 balls to propel their team’s total.
Agha Salman’s unbeaten 38 off 31 balls included four boundaries and a six. Mohammad Nawaz showcased two boundaries and a maximum in his knock.
Other batsmen, Saud Shakeel (9), Shadab Khan (3), and Faheem Ashraf (2), struggled to offer substantial resistance with the bat.
Shaheen Shah Afridi had faced only one delivery and stood undefeated on 2. The Afghan bowlers contributed 17 extras to Pakistan’s total.
Gulbadin Naib (2-36) and Fareed Ahmad (2-70) secured two wickets each. Fazalhaq Farooqi (1-45), Mujeebur Rahman (1-50), and Rashid Khan (1-42) each claimed a wicket.
Mohammad Nabi (0-18) bowled only four overs and remained without a wicket.
