At Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, the roar of the spectators was evident. The first match of the Afghanistan-Pakistan ODI series held its promise of a gripping battle. Yet, by the end, Pakistan’s dominance was unquestionable as they clinched victory by a staggering 142 runs.
The toss was pivotal. Babar Azam’s choice to bat seemed almost clairvoyant as Pakistan’s bowlers later took center stage, ripping through the Afghan batting line-up. However, Pakistan’s batting didn’t start rosy. Early wickets fell, notably the captain’s, who was dispatched for a duck.
Yet, salvation came in the form of a composed Imam, who steered the ship amidst choppy waters, and Iftikhar Ahmad and Shadab Khan, who contributed with vital partnerships. Their collective effort landed Pakistan a defendable total of 201.
On Afghanistan’s side, the day was about missed opportunities. Despite their spinners – a force to reckon with – grabbing 8 of the 10 wickets, the batting faltered in the face of Pakistan’s formidable pace attack. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah’s brilliance with the ball left Afghanistan on the back foot, and the descent was swift. The final nail in the coffin? Afghanistan skittled out for a meager 59.
The two teams have a contrasting year in review. While Pakistan had a commendable series win against New Zealand, Afghanistan showed resilience, bouncing back in their series against Bangladesh after a test defeat and proving their mettle against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Their head-to-head record tilts heavily in Pakistan’s favor. But as the age-old cricketing adage goes, “It’s not over until it’s over.” Afghanistan, still searching for their maiden win against Pakistan, have the firepower, both with bat and ball, to turn the tide.
Key Players to Watch Out:
Shaheen Afridi: His performance in the first ODI was nothing short of exceptional. Afridi’s recent form has been a treat to watch, and his ability to extract both swing and bounce makes him a potent threat.
Image Source – Timesnow
Ibrahim Zadran: With an enviable ODI average and a cool head on young shoulders, Ibrahim Zadran is the beacon Afghanistan will look towards. His technique and tenacity will be crucial in counteracting the Pakistani bowling attack.
Image Source – NdtvSports
Predicted XIs:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C) , Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Abdur Rehman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Conclusion and Prediction: While Pakistan will ride high on confidence after their dominating performance in the first ODI, Afghanistan has the arsenal to strike back. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team will aim to level the series in the upcoming match. A thrilling contest awaits in Hambantota, with both sides eager to showcase their prowess. While the scales may currently tip in Pakistan’s favor, don’t write off Afghanistan just yet. The beauty of cricket lies in its unpredictability, and the Afghan Tigers might just have a few surprises up their sleeve.
