Pakistan (201) crush Afghanistan (59) to record a 142-run win in the 1st ODI

[mominsaigol]

This is why I rate Rauf over Naseem Shah. Rauf is brilliant and can take the pitch out of the equation. When conditions are helping him, he is unplayable at that pace. Poor Afghan batsmen had to face his wrath today.

Naseem is better in terms of economy, he's usually more economical then Rauf, but Rauf is far more deadly and takes way more wickets.

 

[VForVendetta]

Honestly speaking I don't think Pak fans have much to celebrate from this game. It was an old school performance on a horrible pitch,reminiscent of 90's where batters used to hobble & bowlers always had to do the rescue job to save from embarrassment. There wasn't anything we saw that that we already didn't know. Their bowling is excellent & their batting is shaky despite recent numbers suggesting differently. Also against a mediocre one dimensional team like Afg they should always be more authoritative & confident. Afg are very poor in batting & fielding, even their pace stock doesn't seem to have much. It's only the spin trio like they have been for such a long period who can cause damage. Pak should always dominate Afg in 50 overs. They get way too nervous & it hampers their performance. Eng, Ind, Aus have shown in the recent past that Rashid, Mujib are not unplayable. Anything other than 3-0 will be a disaster & really worrying for Pak cricket.

 

[MenInG]

A sensational bowling performance by Haris Rauf propelled Pakistan to a resounding 142-run triumph against Afghanistan in the first ODI clash held at Hambantota. Haris Rauf's maiden five-wicket haul and a formidable bowling display by the rest of the pacers ensured Pakistan's comprehensive victory.

Opting to bat after winning the toss, Pakistan faced an early setback as Fakhar Zaman departed in the first over. Afghanistan bowlers kept it tight as Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Iftikhar Ahmed's gritty innings and Shadab Khan's crucial contribution lifted Pakistan's total, guiding them to a competitive score of 201 all out in 47.1 overs.

Imam-ul-Haq's composed knock of 61 runs anchored the innings, while Iftikhar Ahmed's 30 runs and Shadab Khan's enterprising 39 were pivotal in setting up a defendable target. The Afghan bowlers, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, showcased their prowess to ensure Pakistan didn't run away with a bigger total. Some late-order resilience exhibited by Naseem Shah helped Pakistan reach the 200-run mark.

Afghanistan's chase faltered right from the beginning as they lost early wickets under the pressure of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah's fiery pace. Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed some resistance with 18 runs, but Afghanistan's middle-order struggled to find stability. Haris Rauf's five-wicket haul completely dismantled Afghanistan's batting lineup.

Azmatullah Omarzai's valiant 16, despite retiring hurt, was the only silver lining for Afghanistan. Their innings concluded at a mere 59 runs in 19.2 overs, giving Pakistan an emphatic 142-run victory.

Haris Rauf, with his outstanding figures of 5 wickets for 18 runs, was undoubtedly the star of the match, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.

The win puts Pakistan ahead in the three-match series, leading Afghanistan 1-0. Both teams will meet again for the second ODI at the same venue on 24 August.

Scores in Brief:

Pakistan: 201 all out in 47.1 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 61, Shadab Khan 39, Iftikhar Ahmed 30; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3-33, Mohammad Nabi 2-34)

Afghanistan: 59 all out in 19.2 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 18, Azmatullah Omarzai 16 not out; Haris Rauf 5-18, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-9, Naseem Shah 1-12)

Player of the Match: Haris Rauf (Pakistan)

 

[shah9425]

Needs to improve their performance in upcoming matches

 

[CadPakFan]

Afg will win. 230 was the score needed on this pitch.

 

[CadPakFan]

I wouldn't say dropped, I'm not willing to permanently replace him with haris. Haris is unreliable, unless pakistan is willing to permanently incorporate haris as a no 7, then rizwan shpuld stay.

But rizwan needs to play at 5. In the NZ series he scored back to back 50's at a quick pace.

He's not suited for long innings, he however can provide quickfire 50's at no 5.

No 4 belongs to saud. Maybe tayyab can replace rizwan but he didn't do so well against Afghanistan last time he was picked.

Saud Shakeel hasn't been given many opportunities in the ODI team and I would say it'll be quite hard on him to throw him in just before the Asia Cup and World Cup. Why not try Iftikhar at 4?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Saud Shakeel hasn't been given many opportunities in the ODI team and I would say it'll be quite hard on him to throw him in just before the Asia Cup and World Cup. Why not try Iftikhar at 4?

Iftikhar can't play at number 4 for sure.. his batting technique doesn't allow him to bat long.. so keep him where he is batting right now.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Usama has been poor on a wicket where spinners did well. Maybe it’s thougher to bowl under lights, but he doesn’t seem to have good control so far.

Usama does not fit into playing 11.. we have to go with saud shakeel in middle order who can play spin realy well.. 3 spin alrounders are more than enough.

 

[topspin]

Just came here to give my commiserations to @Major bhai

 

[shamaan]

Naseem is better in terms of economy, he's usually more economical then Rauf, but Rauf is far more deadly and takes way more wickets.

Naseem can swing the ball both ways.

 

[shamaan]

Honestly speaking I don't think Pak fans have much to celebrate from this game. It was an old school performance on a horrible pitch,reminiscent of 90's where batters used to hobble & bowlers always had to do the rescue job to save from embarrassment. There wasn't anything we saw that that we already didn't know. Their bowling is excellent & their batting is shaky despite recent numbers suggesting differently. Also against a mediocre one dimensional team like Afg they should always be more authoritative & confident. Afg are very poor in batting & fielding, even their pace stock doesn't seem to have much. It's only the spin trio like they have been for such a long period who can cause damage. Pak should always dominate Afg in 50 overs. They get way too nervous & it hampers their performance. Eng, Ind, Aus have shown in the recent past that Rashid, Mujib are not unplayable. Anything other than 3-0 will be a disaster & really worrying for Pak cricket.

Have them countries you mentioned played in Afghanistan?

 

[shamaan]

I will stay with the same team for the second game.

 

[sam_ahm]

Clinical performance by Pakistan. Well done.

Imam once again shows how underrated he is in the ODI format. Yet another very fine knock from him. Superb bowling by Rauf.

 

[Titan24]

Naseem is better in terms of economy, he's usually more economical then Rauf, but Rauf is far more deadly and takes way more wickets.

He claimed a world record of most wickets in first 6 ODIs. So far has 24 wickets in just 9 ODIs, so definitely takes wickets regularly in ODIs.

 

[mominsaigol]

He claimed a world record of most wickets in first 6 ODIs. So far has 24 wickets in just 9 ODIs, so definitely takes wickets regularly in Odi

I never said Naseem isn't a wicket taker. I actually prefer naseem over haris. I think haris is better at taking wickets but you need someone like naseem who can get you 2 to 3 wickets per game and go for 4 to 5 runs per over, over someone like haris who might get you the 5 fer but on most occasions will go for 6 to 8 runs per over.

 

[Bewal Express]

He claimed a world record of most wickets in first 6 ODIs. So far has 24 wickets in just 9 ODIs, so definitely takes wickets regularly in ODIs.

He has continued to improve and just needs to concentrate on that test length at 90mph. No waist high short balls, if its a short ball its got to be at least shoulder high.

 

[shamaan]

I never said Naseem isn't a wicket taker. I actually prefer naseem over haris. I think haris is better at taking wickets but you need someone like naseem who can get you 2 to 3 wickets per game and go for 4 to 5 runs per over, over someone like haris who might get you the 5 fer but on most occasions will go for 6 to 8 runs per over.

It's only England that Rauf has got smashed by.

 

[shamaan]

Clinical performance by Pakistan. Well done.

Imam once again shows how underrated he is in the ODI format. Yet another very fine knock from him. Superb bowling by Rauf.

Exactly he is such an underrated cricketer and is a must for our line up.

 

[MenInG]

So what changes for the next game should Pakistan make?

 

[mominsaigol]

It's only England that Rauf has got smashed by.

My point is, Rauf is more of a wicket taker but naseem has always been more economical then Rauf. Both are needed in Pakistan team, but naseem is better due to being able to take 2 or 3 vital wickets as well as being good at not leaking runs.

 

[shamaan]

So what changes for the next game should Pakistan make?

No changes we need to give players a proper chance no point chopping and changing.

 

[Farah Sohail]

Ithink we should rest our fast bowlers as everyone knows they have a guaranteed place.. maybe play twofast bowlers and three spinners.. We should play Wasim Jnr and Fahim as two fast bowlers..so that we exactly know state ofFahim’s bowling, and batting also..and then probably drop Fahim, forever… he shouldnt be anywhere near our worldcup squAd..so he should be given a chance, to let selectors know..once and for all

 

[Ahmed216]

So what changes for the next game should Pakistan make?

Agha out Saud in definitely.
They must try different combinations.
Injury may happen to a crucial player at any point. They must prepare backups.
Also form can desert someone.
Remember in 2021 WC babar had no option but to persist with terribly out of form Hassan Ali throughout the tournament because he hadn't given match practice to anyone else.