In a resounding conclusion to the three-match series, Pakistan asserted their dominance, clinching an unblemished 3-0 victory over Afghanistan in the third and final one-day international (ODI) showdown at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. Pakistan’s prior triumphs in the opening two encounters, with winning margins of seven and nine wickets respectively, set the stage for this commanding finale. Opting to bat first, Pakistan curated a formidable total of 268 for eight, a score that Afghanistan’s response of 209 in 48.4 overs couldn’t match, leaving them well adrift of the target.
The cornerstone of Pakistan’s innings was forged by Mohammad Rizwan, who elegantly crafted 67 runs off 79 deliveries, embellishing his performance with six fours and a solitary six. A pivotal 101-run partnership blossomed for the third wicket between Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam. Azam himself contributed a valuable 60 runs off 86 balls, punctuated by four boundaries and a six. This tandem’s steadying influence was instrumental, particularly after the early dismissals of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq. Rizwan’s stellar contribution earned him the deserved accolade of player of the match.
Pakistan’s lower order bolstered the total with notable inputs. Haris Sohail marshaled 34 runs off 38 deliveries, while Faheem Ashraf launched an impactful assault, amassing 35 runs off a mere 22 balls, inclusive of three boundaries and two sixes. In the closing overs, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz combined their efforts to extract 22 runs each, propelling Pakistan beyond the crucial 250-run mark.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who exhibited commendable prowess, claiming two wickets for 45 runs in his seven-over spell. It was his dismissal of the partnership between Rizwan and Azam that punctuated his impact. Naveen-ul-Haq, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Gulbadin Naib all contributed with one wicket apiece.
Afghanistan’s pursuit never managed to gather momentum, as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure, leading to a steady loss of wickets. The standout performer in this department was Shadab Khan, who showcased his skill by capturing three wickets for 42 runs across ten overs. His scalps included Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Najibullah Zadran, significantly denting Afghanistan’s aspirations.
Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf complemented the bowling effort with precision, each securing two wickets. Nawaz’s scalps included Ibrahim Zadran and Asghar Afghan, while Ashraf accounted for Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib. Additionally, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf each claimed one wicket.
In an otherwise challenging campaign for Afghanistan, the standout luminary was Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who entered the fray at number nine and exhibited a spectacular knock of 64 runs off just 37 balls, adorned with five fours and an equal number of sixes. His partnership of 72 runs with Naveen-ul-Haq for the ninth wicket injected some vitality into the Afghan innings. Impressively, Mujeeb’s innings constituted the highest individual score by an Afghan batsman in the series and marked the second-highest tally by a number nine batsman in the annals of ODI history.
Regrettably, Mujeeb’s heroics couldn’t salvage Afghanistan from a comprehensive defeat. His dismissal by Afridi in the 49th over ultimately sealed Pakistan’s victory, culminating in their triumph in both the match and the series.
With this decisive conquest, Pakistan ascended to the pinnacle of the ODI rankings, surpassing the likes of India and England. In contrast, Afghanistan retained their position at the tenth spot in the rankings. Both teams are now poised to prepare for the imminent Asia Cup, scheduled to commence on August 30 in Sri Lanka.
