Pakistan secured the No. 1 rank in the ICC ODI team rankings by delivering a flawless performance against Afghanistan in a three-match series. Their victory of 59 runs in the third ODI ensured a 3-0 series win and propelled them to the top position. This triumph also adds momentum to their preparations as co-hosts of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, set to commence in less than a week.
The key players in the victory were Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, both of whom scored fifties for the team. In pursuit of claiming the top spot in the ICC rankings, Pakistan posted a competitive 268/8 on the scoreboard at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 26. Babar (60) and Rizwan (67) set the stage for success, despite Afghanistan’s efforts to halt their progress. Gulbadin Naib and Fareed Ahmad took two wickets each, while Rashid Khan took one.
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Agha Salman (38) and Mohammad Nawaz (30) contributed effectively for Pakistan, taking the team beyond 250 runs. The opening partnership of Fakhar Zaman (27) and Imam-ul-Haq (13) yielded 36 runs before Zaman was dismissed. Notably, Babar and Rizwan’s 110-run partnership for the third wicket stabilized Pakistan’s innings and guided them to a total of 268/8.
In response, Afghanistan couldn’t replicate Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s heroics from the previous match, as he fell for just 5 runs in the sixth over. Swiftly, Afghanistan found themselves at 75/6, mirroring their earlier struggles when they were bowled out for 58 in the first ODI. Consistent wicket losses tilted the game in Pakistan’s favor.
Yet, Mujeeb Ur Rahman managed to avoid humiliation by building a 57-run partnership with Shahidullah Kamal (37) for the eighth wicket. Rahman was eventually dismissed on 64 due to a hit-wicket incident caused by Shaheen Shah Afridi. The Afghan tailenders couldn’t hold on, leading to their dismissal for 209, which secured Pakistan’s No. 1 ranking in ICC ODI rankings. This 59-run victory also meant a series sweep of 3-0.
Pakistan’s upcoming matches include the Asia Cup 2023 opener against Nepal on August 30 in Multan, followed by a clash against India in the second league match on September 2 in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. Afghanistan’s Asia Cup journey will begin against Bangladesh on September 3 in Lahore.
