- Pakistan and Afghanistan face off in a pivotal 2nd ODI as Pakistan aims to strengthen its lead.
- Under Babar Azam’s captaincy, Pakistan seeks to capitalize on their commanding 1st ODI victory.
- Pakistan’s bowlers shine while batting struggles, setting the stage for an intense showdown between the two Asian rivals.
In an exhilarating cricketing encounter, Pakistan is set to clash with Afghanistan as they seek to establish an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The action unfolds today at 2:30 pm, as these two Asian rivals meet for the second game at the esteemed Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
Under the leadership of Babar Azam, the Pakistani squad is determined to build on their success in the previous game, where they secured a commanding victory by a staggering 142 runs against Afghanistan. While the bowlers executed their roles with precision, it was Pakistan’s batting performance that raised eyebrows. Even with prominent players including skipper Babar Azam, the team struggled and managed to score only 201 runs.
The Afghan side managed to dismiss nine Pakistani players for just 59 runs in 19.2 overs, with one player retiring hurt. Notably, five Afghan batsmen were sent back to the pavilion without scoring a single run, and only two players reached double-digit scores. Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed two wickets, while Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan took one wicket each.
In response, Afghanistan’s Mujeebur Rahman stood out by taking three wickets, supported by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi who secured two wickets each. Their combined efforts dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, restricting them to 47.1 overs. As the excitement builds for the upcoming encounter, both teams are gearing up to showcase their skills and determination on the field.