Haris Rauf’s first five-wicket haul helped Pakistan defeat Afghanistan by 142 runs in the opening ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday in Hambantota.
Pakistan beat Afghanistan in first ODI: With three wickets, including the highly prized capture of Pakistan captain Babar Azam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman spearheaded the assault. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan each provided one wicket.
After winning the toss, Pakistan got off to a terrible start, falling to 7-2 in two overs with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman back in the pavilion.
However, Imam-ul-Haq maintained composure throughout the innings, anchoring it as he forged a 33-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan. After Mujeeb struck again to reduce Pakistan to 40-3, Agha Salman’s dismissal immediately turned the score into 62-4.
The innings was then stabilised by a strong 50-run partnership between Iftikhar Ahmed and Imam-ul-Haq in 69 balls. As Iftikhar was being apprehended by Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi broke the stand. Two boundaries let Iftikhar score 30 runs off of 41 deliveries.
Imam and Shadab Khan shared a 40-run partnership, but Mohammad Nabi struck again to end Imam’s cautious innings at 152. Only two boundaries were hit in Imam-ul-Haq’s 94-ball 61-run innings.
As they sank to 163-8, the Pakistani team appeared to have been dismissed for less than 200 runs. However, the score was brought to 198 with the fall of the ninth wicket thanks to a 34-run partnership between Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah. Shadab Khan used three boundaries to get 39 runs off 50 balls.
Haris Rauf was taken out as the last wicket by Rahmat Shah, ending the innings at 201.