Pakistan pull-off one-wicket win in thriller

Imam-ul-Haq scored his second fifty of the series for Pakistan

Pakistan captain Babar Azam congratulates Rahmanullah Gurbaz after his knock of 151

Ibrahim Zadran played a supporting role with 80 in the opening stand of 227 with Gurbaz

• Take unbeatable 2-0 lead in three-match series

Pakistan pulled off a sensational one-wicket win with one ball to spare over Afghanistan to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota yesterday.

Chasing a target of 301, Pakistan lost their way somewhat from 170-1 to be 290-9 before last pair Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf saw them home in a thrilling finish. With 11 needed off the final over bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naseem hit a four off the first and fifth balls and scored nine of the runs, while Haris contributed three.

A 118-run stand for the second wicket between Imam-ul-Haq (91 off 105 balls, 4 fours) and Babar Azam (53 off 66 balls, 6 fours) saw Pakistan on course to win quite comfortably. But with Farooqi’s dismissal of Babar saw Afghanistan making massive strikes as Pakistan lost a flurry of wickets in the middle slumping to 211-6. Shadab Khan held the bottom of the innings together scoring 48 off 35 balls (3 fours, 1 six) before Farooqi ran him out at the bowler’s end backing off too far, but Naseem kept a cool head to see his side home.    

Afghanistan made a complete turnaround from what happened to them two days ago when they came back strongly to post their highest score against Pakistan 300-5 riding on a record-breaking opening stand of 227 between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.

Shot out for their second lowest total – 59, Afghanistan bounced back in style with Gurbaz lifting the entire Afghanistan team with a brilliant run-a-ball knock of 151 (14 fours, 3 sixes) to become the first Afghan to score a ODI hundred against Pakistan.

Ibrahim made a refined 80 off 101 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) working hard for his runs and letting Gurbaz who was striking freely dominate the partnership.

The Pakistan pace attack which proved to be unplayable under lights in the first ODI was very different under the sun with no ball movement for the bowlers to make use of. Afghanistan was more decisive in their boundary hitting, while Pakistan played risk free cricket, which proved to their advantage in the end. The third and final ODI takes place at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. (ST)