Afghanistan Vs Pakistan Practice Match
Brief Score Card
Afghanistan 263/7 ( HasmatullahShahidi 74 , HafizullahZazai 49, Mohammad Nabi 34 , Rahmat Shah 32, WhabRiaz 3/46 , ImadWasim 2/29 ) beat Pakistan 262 All Out ( Babar Azam 112, Shaob Malik 44 , Imam UlHaq 32, Mohammad Nabi 3/ 46 , Rashid Khan 2/27 , DawlatZadran 2/37) by 3 wickets.
In a keenly contested practice match leading to World Cup Afghanistan got the better of their famed neighbors Pakistan beating them by 3 wickets with two balls to spare.
Pakistan was restricted to 262 by business usual high quality spin bowling of Nabi and Rashid. Afghanistan managed to get across the target with only two balls to spare winning by three wickets.
The ascendancy of Afghanistan in top level continues. The observation of experts stating that if Afghanistan can manage batting well their high quality spinners would create opportunity for the team for winning.
Only few days back Pakistani batsmen were scoring over 300 runs against English bowling. But yesterday other than talented Babar Azam (112), experienced Shoaib Malik (44) and ImamulHuq (32) others struggled dealing with superior quality spin attack of Nabi (3/ 46) and Rashid (2/27), Pacer DawlatZadran also chipped in with (2/37). Afghans in reply batted well as a team against quality Pakistan bowling scoring 263/7 in 49.4 overs. Middle order batsman HasmatullahShahidi played a match winning 74 and talented Young Opener HafizullahZazai scored 49. Nabi scored 34 and Rahmat Shah 32. Late inclusion WahabRiaz took 3/46 and ImadWasim 2/29.
It was a great win for Afghanistan against their vastly superior neighbors. On a flat wicket Afghanistan bowled exceedingly well never letting free flowing Pakistan batsmen taking the score beyond the reach of Afghans. Other than Babar Azam, ImamulHaq andShoaib Malik rest of the top order batsmen struggled coming to terms with quality Afgahn attack. Babar produced yet another skilled display scoring 112 with 10 fours and 2 sixes in 108 deliveries .FakharZaman, HarisSohail and Mohammad Hafiz failed to impress. Experienced Shoaib Malik scoring 44 gave the total some respectability.
The target of 263 on an easy paced wicket was never enough. Afghan batsmen put in their best efforts and managed getting across their target in 49.4 overs. Six of the 9 batsmen scored over 23 runs. Middle order batsman Shahidi led the reply remaing unbeaten on 74, Nabi and Zazai contributed with 34 and 32 respectively. Afghans played three matches so far – two against Ireland and the last one against Pakistan .They won two of the three letting off strong signal to other teams.
In all three matches the resourceful bowling looked on tune. Only in the first match batting did not click. On the other hand Pakistan lost 4 matches against world cup host England in high scoring matches. None will term their loss against Afghanistan an upset. In this World Cup any thing can happen.
BDST: 1115 HRS, MAY 25, 2019
AH
