HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan has set a target of 202 runs for Afghanistan in the first One-Day International (ODI) match at Hambantota in Sri Lanka. The Green Shirts were bowled out for 201 runs in 47.1 overs on a challenging pitch that proved difficult for batting.
Facing a dry and demanding pitch, Pakistan encountered a tough start, losing two wickets for just seven runs. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for 2 runs, while skipper Babar Azam was unable to contribute any runs to the total.
Despite these early setbacks, Muhammad Rizwan formed a 33-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq, but he was also dismissed after scoring 21 runs.
Agha Salman’s contribution was limited to seven runs, as Pakistan lost their fourth wicket with a score of 62 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed and Imam-ul-Haq managed to stabilize the innings, sharing a crucial 50-run partnership. However, Imam-ul-Haq was eventually dismissed by Muhammad Nabi after contributing 61 runs to the total.
Iftikhar Ahmed’s 30 runs and Shadab Khan’s 39 runs ensured that Pakistan avoided being bowled out for under 200 runs. Naseem Shah’s valuable 18 runs added to the final total of 201 runs.
Afghanistan’s Spinners Dominate Pakistani Batters
Afghanistan’s spinners showcased their prowess by claiming seven wickets. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman secured 3 wickets, while Rashid Khan and Muhammad Nabi both took two wickets each.
In the toss for the inaugural ODI match at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. This strategic decision aimed to establish early pressure on Afghanistan by posting a competitive target.
Babar Azam emphasized his team’s determination to set a challenging total, banking on a strong batting performance to dictate the pace of the match. The Pakistani lineup, featuring stalwarts like Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan, showcased a blend of experience and talent aimed at securing a victory in the series opener.
The series will progress with the second encounter scheduled for August 24, followed by the final match on August 26.
