Hambantota (Web Desk): Pakistan on Thursday defeated Afghanistan after a thrilling clash in the second one-day international (ODI) of the three-match series by achieving the target on the last wicket in Sri Lanka's Hambantota.
After winning the toss, Afghanistan, chose to bat first and set 301-run target against Pakistan.
Fakhar zaman scored 30 runs and imam ul Haq hit 91 runs as they openend the innings from Pakistan side. Pakistani captain hit a half century with 53 runs, Mohammad Rizwan only scored 2 runs and got run out. Agha Salman scored 14 runs while Osama Mir got duck out.
At one point, the match seemed over for Pakistan team but Shadab Khan gave hope to get back in the game once again by scoring 48 off 35. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf hit 10 and 3 runs respectively while Naseem Shah lead Pakistan to victory in the last over by hitting consecutive two fours and scoring 10 runs.
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Naseem shah small but thrilling inning which lead Pakistan to win was interestingly nostalgic for Pakistani cricket fans because it coincidently resembles to Pakistan’s victory against the same opposition in Asia Cup 2022, in which Pakistan needed 11 off 6 in last over just like the last night match. In both matches, it was Naseem Shah that led us to win.
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Afghanistan's opening pair of Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran scored 227 runs together to help Afghanistan post 300-5 in 50 overs. It was Afghanistan's second-highest ODI partnership.
Zadran hit 80 runs and was sent back to pavilion by Usama Mir as he missed his fifth ODI century. But, Gurbaz kept on going and completed his 150 score. He got out at the hands of Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 45th over
Earlier in first innings, Pakistani bowlers did a remarkable job in the death overs by restricting Afghanistan to 300.On behalf of Pakistan team, Naseem Shah also got one wicket by giving 45 runs in 9 overs, Usama Mir got one wicket by giving 61 runs in 10 overs, Haris Rauf got 48 runs in 7 overs and Shadab Khan gave 53 runs in 10 overs.
Shadab Khan was declared man of the match for his amazing batting performance.
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With this victory, Pakistan has won two matches in three ODI series, hence Pakistan cricket team has won the series with lead of two wins
