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AFG vs PAK, 3rd ODI | Babar Azam, Rizwan Fifties Help Pakistan Whitewash Afghanistan

image-llsbl8ubBabar Azam in action against Afghanistan (Twitter)

Pakistan overpowered Afghanistan for the third time in succession to complete a 3-0 series sweep in Sri Lanka. Fresh from their thrilling one-wicket win a couple of nights ago, the ‘Men in Green’ tendered their Afghan counterparts, sans Mujeeb Ur Rahman, completely toothless in Colombo to conclude their final set of on-field preparations for the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup.

Babar, Rizwan lay strong foundation for Pakistan’s 268

Both Pakistan openers, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq found themselves back in the dressing room by 13th over of the innings. Afghanistan’s comeback man and former captain Gulbadin Naib dismissed both batters, and remained economical throughout his nine overs to finish with 2-36.

At 52-2, Mohammad Rizwan joined his skipper Babar Azam at the crease and the two laid a concrete foundation for a big total with their 110-run third-wicket partnership. Both batting veterans slapped sparkling 60s, before Azam’s dismissal triggered a semi batting collapse within the Pakistani camp.

They slumped from 162-2 to 189-6 in a space of four overs, before Agha Salman’s 38* and Mohammad Nawaz’s 30 surged team’s total to 268-8 by 50 overs.

Apart from Gulbadin, fellow Afghanistan pacer Fareed Ahmad also chipped in with two wickets, albeit in 10 expensive overs. Meanwhile, spin veterans Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan claimed two wickets in their combined 20 overs while conceding 92.

Shadab Khan downs Afghanistan, this time with the ball

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who charted his career-best 151 in the previous match, became the first of Faheem Ashraf’s two victims in the run-chase with just five to his name. Ashraf, making his return to ODI cricket after more than two years, celebrated the occasion with another wicket a couple of overs later.

Riaz Hassan, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Gulbadin Naib all departed in quick succession at the hands of Shadab Khan and Agha Salman as Afghanistan slumped to 62-5 inside 22 overs. After Rashid Khan’s dismissal at 97-7, Mujeeb Ur Rahman walked into the crease with all hopes lost as his side stared towards another big defeat.

However, Rahman kept the proceedings going for another hour through his entertaining resistance in the death. Known for his bewildering off-spin, the cricketer slapped five fours and as many maximums to unleash his first ODI fifty. The 22-year-old eventually hit his own wicket off Shaheen Afridi’s bowling to finish with a career-best 37-ball 64.

Afghanistan’s extended resistance stopped at 209 to hand Pakistan a 59-run win and a 3-0 sweep in the series. The two sides will now be seen competing for the Asia Cup 2023, where they can potentially square-off at some stage once again.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan: 268-8 (50)
Mohammad Rizwan 67 (79), Babar Azam 60 (86)
Gulbadin Naib 2-36 (9), Fareed Ahmad 2-70 (10)

Afghanistan: 209 (48.4)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 64 (37), Shahidullah 37 (65)
Shadab Khan 3-42 (10), Shaheen Afridi 2-31 (9.4)

Pakistan won by 59 runs, claims series 3-0