Pakistan’s raw pace unsettles Afghanistan in first ODI

A fiery Haris Rauf of Pakistan picked up his first five-fer in ODI cricket

• Shot out for second lowest total - 59

Imam-ul-Haq played a steady innings of 61 to lift Pakistan after they had lost four early wickets

Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman took three wickets in his 10-over spell

Pakistan’s pace trio spearheaded by Haris Rauf bundled Afghanistan out for their second lowest total in ODI cricket – 59, to set themselves up for comprehensive 142-run win in the first ODI played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota yesterday and go 1-up in the three-match series.

Pakistan’s raw pace unsettled the Afghanistan top order who had no answer to the three-pronged attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Rauf.

Skilful bowling in the first power play saw Pakistan come up with their best performance in the first power play since 2017 when they had Sri Lanka five down for 39 in Sharjah. Afghanistan was reduced to 21-4.

The pace of Rauf, Afridi and Naseem proved too hot to handle for the hapless Afghanistan batsman on a slow pitch as they tried to chase down a moderate Pakistan total of 201.

After Afridi had struck early in the third over with the wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah, both without scoring, Naseem made it three wickets for four runs by dismissing the Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also for a duck. The debacle continued when Haris Rauf was introduced into the attack as he simply scythed through the rest of the batting to finish with his first five-fer in ODI cricket – 5/18. Afghanistan’s lowest ODI total is 58 against Zimbabwe at Fatullah in 2014.

Afghanistan spinners did a splendid job in dismissing Pakistan for 201 in the 48th over with opener Imam-ul-Haq top scoring with 61 off 94 balls (2 fours). Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/33) had Pakistan struggling at 62-4 before Ifhtikar Ahmed (30 off 41 balls, 2 fours) and Shadab Khan (39 off 50 balls, 3 fours) took them past the 200-run mark. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan took two wickets apiece on the slow turner where the batsmen found it difficult to time the ball.

With the Asia Cup and the World Cup ahead, it was a poor performance by Afghanistan who will have to really seriously review their batting performance especially against extreme pace. The second ODI will be played at the same venue on 24 August. – (ST)

Scores: 

• Pakistan: 201 (47.1) (Imam-ul-Haq 61, Mohammad Rizwan 21, Ifthikar Ahmed 30, Shadab Khan 39, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/33, Mohammad Nabi 2/34, Rashid Khan 2/42)
• Afghanistan: 59 (19.2) (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 18, Shaheen Afridi 2/9, Haris Rauf 5/18)