Chennai, Oct 23: Electing to bat first Pakistan were 281/6 in 49.4 overs against Afghanistan in the 22nd match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, here on Monday.
Opener Imam-ul-Haq trying to pull was caught by Naveen-ul-Haq at mid-wicket for 17 in 22 balls, as he mistimed pacer Azmatullah Omarzai.
The other opener Abdullah Shafique made a compact 58. But then misjudged a Noor Ahmed delivery, only to be sent back LBW.
Dependable middle order batter and vice captain Mohd Rizwan was positive from the start. But trying to play his favourite sweep shot against Noor Ahmed, he offered a simple catch to Mujeeb Ur Rahman at short fine leg and retuned with only 8 runs contributions.
Saud Shakeel (25 in 34 balls) was out caught Rashid Khan off Mohammad Nabi.
Skipper Babar Azam too fell to Norr Ahmad's trap, as he offered a catch at extra cover to Mohammad Nabi. Babar, who rescued Pakistan from a tricky situation, departed after making a solid 74 in 92 balls with four 4s and one 6.
Pakistan have included four spinners in their playing XI, considering the advantage turners enjoy in the spin-friendly track, here.
Afghanistan XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq and Noor Ahmad.
Pakistan XI:
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan( wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf.
n( wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf.
