Pakistan’s ascent to victory was propelled by their solid batting performance, which saw them accumulate 268-8 in their allotted 50 overs. Mohammad Rizwan‘s resilient innings of 67 off 79 balls and skipper Babar Azam‘s composed 60 off 86 balls were pivotal in building this competitive total.
In response, Pakistan’s bowlers executed effectively, ultimately dismissing Afghanistan for 209 runs in 48.4 overs. A standout performance came from number nine batsman Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who blazed his way to a remarkable 64 off just 37 balls- his maiden half-century in ODIs.
Rahman’s explosive knock included an impressive display of power-hitting, featuring five sixes and an equal number of boundaries. His exceptional feat was highlighted by his lightning-fast fifty, a new Afghan record for the fastest fifty in ODIs, achieved in a mere 26 balls.
Unfortunately, his innings came to an unexpected end as he accidentally hit his stumps and was dismissed hit wicket, falling victim to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling.
The previous record holder for Afghanistan’s fastest ODI fifty was Rashid Khan, who accomplished the feat in 27 balls against Ireland in Abu Dhabi the previous year.
Rahman and Shahidullah Kamal (37 off 65 balls) shared a valiant stand of 57 for the eighth wicket to give some respectability to the total after their team were reeling at 97-7.
Rahman also added 45 for the ninth wicket with Fareed Ahmad Malik who scored 17.
Pakistan won the first match by 142 runs and by one wicket in the second — both games played in Hambantota.
Pakistan had been at number two in the International Cricket Council ODI rankings before the series but the 3-0 triumph lifted them above Australia.
Pakistan were briefly number one earlier this year.
Pakistan medium pacer Faheem Ashraf removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made a century in the last game, for five and Ibrahim Zadran for an 11-ball duck to finish with 2-43.
Pakistan rested frontline bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah in four changes but they were still good enough with the ball as spinners Shadab Khan (3-42) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-45) shared five wickets.
“Yes, we are number one,” said Azam, who is also the number one batsman in the ODI rankings.
“All credit to boys. We have worked hard for the last of couple of months and it has taken us to this point, so I am really happy.”
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted his team was not up to the mark.
“We didn’t apply ourselves,” said Shahidi. “We are disappointed with the performance but there is a lot of learning.”
It was Rizwan and Azam who anchored Pakistan’s innings after they won the toss and batted.
Rizwan hit six boundaries and a six while Azam knocked four boundaries and a six to help Pakistan to a fighting total.
The Rizwan-Azam pair added 110 runs for the third wicket to steady the innings after pacer Gulbadin Naib removed openers Fakhar Zaman (27) and Imam-ul-Haq (13).
Pakistan stuttered in the middle overs with four wickets lost for the addition of just 27 runs, including Azam’s wicket who scored his 28th half century.
Saud Shakeel was run out for nine and Shadab for just three as Pakistan were struggling at 189-6.
Agha Salman (38 not out) and Nawaz (30) added 61 for the seventh wicket as Pakistan added 80 in the last ten overs.
Salman hit four boundaries and a six in his 31-ball quick fire knock.
Naib was the pick of Afghanistan bowlers with 2-36.
The two teams will now feature in the six-nation Asia Cup starting in Multan from August 30.
(With AFP Inputs)
