Contents
Highlights
Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 59 runs in the third ODI
Babar and Rizwan played half century innings
Rizwan was adjudged player of the match while Imam was adjudged player of the series.
New Delhi. The Pakistan cricket team under the captaincy of Babar Azam defeated Afghanistan (PAK vs AFG) in the third and final ODI, completing a hat-trick of victories and winning the series 3–0. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 59 runs in the match played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka. Ahead of the Asia Cup, Pakistan’s victory has boosted its morale. Mohammad Rizwan was named player of the match while opener Imam-ul-Haq was named player of the series.
Batting first, Pakistan scored 268 for 8 on the back of half-centuries from captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. In reply, the Afghanistan team was all out for 209 runs in 48.4 overs. Chasing a target of 269 runs, Afghanistan got off to a poor start with half their team returning to the pavilion for 62 runs. Veteran opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz returned to the pavilion scoring 5 runs, while Ibrahim Zadran could not even open the account.
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Mujeeb played a blistering innings of 64 runs from Afghanistan
Riaz Hasan certainly tried to stay at the crease but was sent to the pavilion by Shadab Khan caught by Fakhar Zaman on a personal score of 34. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed 13 runs while Gulbuddin Naib was not allowed to open the account by Agha Salman. Mohammad Nabi was dismissed for 3 runs. Afghanistan lost wickets at regular intervals. Mujeeb ur Rahman reduced the margin of defeat with a 37-ball 64 but could not lead the team to victory. For Pakistan, Shadab Khan took 3 wickets while Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz took 2 wickets each.
Babar and Rizwan scored half centuries
Earlier Mohammad Rizwan played an innings of 67 runs off 79 balls which included 6 fours and 1 six while Babar Azam scored 60 runs off 86 balls. Agha Salman was dismissed for 38 off 31 balls while Mohammad Nawaz returned to the pavilion with 30 off 25 balls. Gulbadin and Farid Ahmed took 2 wickets each for Afghanistan.
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Tags: Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, PAK vs AFG
First published: August 27, 2023, 06:24 IST