On a high note, Pakistan began their preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup by securing a resounding 142-run victory against Afghanistan in the first ODI. Led by Babar Azam, Pakistan’s dominant performance handed them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, as they bundled out Afghanistan for a mere 59 runs while defending their total of 201.
However, despite the triumph, the match was a personal challenge for Pakistan skipper Babar Azam. He was dismissed for a duck, registering his fourth instance in the 50-over format and the second time as a captain. This unfortunate statistic saw him equalling the record shared by legendary names like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Azhar Ali, and Younis Khan.
While Babar Azam’s batting performance may have been disappointing, Pakistan’s fiery pacer Haris Rauf stole the limelight with an exceptional display. He claimed a career-best five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5-18 in 6.2 overs. Rauf’s relentless pace attack wreaked havoc on Afghanistan’s batting lineup, ultimately restricting them to their second-lowest ODI total of 59 runs in 19.2 overs.
Despite the early loss of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batting effort allowed them to set a competitive target of 202 runs. In response, Afghanistan struggled to deal with Haris Rauf’s relentless onslaught, which resulted in their quick collapse.
This victory puts Pakistan ahead with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, marking the first bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The remaining matches are scheduled in Colombo, offering both teams another chance to showcase their skills and potentially determine the series outcome.
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As Pakistan continues its preparations for the highly anticipated Asia Cup, this convincing victory against Afghanistan serves as a positive start, offering momentum and confidence to Babar Azam’s side as they gear up for further challenges on the international stage.