The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and the Afghanistan cricket team did not go as per the plan for the latter side as they succumbed to a humiliating defeat by 0-3 in Sri Lanka. Playing the first ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota, Pakistan restricted the Afghan batters to a score of 59 runs when they were chasing 201 runs to score a win by a massive 142 runs.
The second match was no different as this time around, the Men in Green chased 301 runs in 49.5 overs to win by one wicket. Though it was a close encounter, Pakistan ensured a victory in the game and the series.
Afghanistan had a chance to avoid a series clean sweep but they delivered a lacklustre batting performance and lost by 59 runs after failing to chase 269 runs in the allotted 50 overs. Let us check out the report card of the Pakistan players:
Top Order
Fakhar Zaman (4/10): Pakistan’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman played all three One Day Internationals for his team but failed to make a mark in any of the games. In three games, he ended up scoring only 59 runs at a poor average of under 20.
Zaman’s highest score in the series came during the second One Day International as he added 30 runs to the scoreboard after facing 34 balls to help his team chase the target of 301 runs in 50 overs.
Imam-ul-Haq won the Player of the Series award against Afghanistan
Imam-ul-Haq (9/10): The other opening batter Imam-ul-Haq delivered a completely contrasting performance as he emerged as the top run-getter for his side. With a massive 165 runs in three matches at an average of 55, Imam established himself at the second place in the overall run-scoring list.
His best performance in the series came during the second ODI as he smacked an impressive 91 runs off 105 balls to steer his team to a win by one wicket. The batter took home the Player of the Series award.
Babar Azam (2/10): The skipper Babar Azam enjoyed a decent run in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Though he was the second-highest run-getter for Pakistan, he could not live up to his reputation and ended up collecting only 113 runs at an average of under 38. However, Babar filled the gap with his leadership skills and a good rotation of bowlers.
Middle Order
Mohammad Rizwan (6/10): The wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was expected to be the frontrunner for the Pakistan cricket team in Sri Lanka. However, the three-match series saw him struggling to score runs. After playing all three matches, Rizwan occupied the fourth place in the run-scoring charts with 90 runs and an average of 30.00.
Though Rizwan disappointed in the first two games, he went all berserk in the final match and ended up scoring 67 runs to win the Player of the Match award.
Agha Salman (5/10):. Agha Salman was the other Pakistani batter who got a chance to feature in the playing XI of all three matches. However, he could not use the opportunity handed to him properly and ended up scoring only 59 runs at a poor average of 29.50.
Iftikhar Ahmed (5/10): Iftikhar Ahmed got off to a decent start in the three-match series as he scored 30 runs in the first match after facing 41 balls in the middle. The batter could not deliver something good in the second match as he lost his wicket to Abdul Rahman at a score of 17 and thus had to sit out in the final match.
Saud Shakeel (3/10): Saud Shakeel got only one chance to showcase his potential as he was added to the roaster only for the final ODI. However, it was not a good day for the middle-order batter as he fell prey to a run out at the hands of Rahmanullah Gurbaz after scoring nine runs and facing six balls.
All-rounders
Shadab Khan (7/10): The only Pakistani all-rounder to play all three matches, Shadab Khan did a decent job with the ball as he picked four wickets at an average of under 24. The batter was also fine with the bat as he scored 90 runs in three matches.
Mohammad Nawaz (7/10): The all-rounder made his way into Pakistan’s playing XI for the third One Day International scheduled at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Batting at number eight, Nawaz did not have scope to do much but he did contribute by scoring 30 runs off 25 balls.
The 29-year-old was impressive with the ball as he well as he dismissed two batters in the form of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi while maintaining an economy rate of five.
Bowlers
Usama Mir (2/10): It was a series to forget for Usama Mir as he was one of the worst performers for the Pakistan team. The 27-year-old picked only one wicket from two matches at an average of 79 before getting dropped for the final match.
Pakistan players celebrate after Shaheen Afridi takes a wicket against Afghanistan
Shaheen Afridi (9.5/10): Shaheen Afridi was one of the very few Pakistani bowlers who received the chance to play all three One Day Internationals and he did not disappoint. The seamer ended up as the highest wicket-taker with six wickets from 23.4 overs at an average of 16.33. It would not be wrong to say that the youngster played a big role in ensuring Pakistan’s win.
Naseem Shah (5/10): Naseem Shah also had to sit out for the final game but he made a slight impact in the series by picking two wickets from as many games at an average of 28.50 and an economy rate of 4.07.
Haris Rauf (9/10): The other Pakistani bowler to impress after Afridi was Haris Rauf. The 29-year-old played the first and second ODI and picked five wickets while maintaining a good average of 13.20 and an economy rate of 4.95.
Mohammad Wasim Jr (4/10): Playing only the final match of the series, Mohammad Wasim Jr went wicketless. He bowled for a total of ten overs and conceded 35 runs at an economy rate of 3.5.
Faheem Ashraf (4/10): Just like Mohammad, Faheem Ashraf also played the final ODI but he made the most out of the opportunity provided to him. The seamer sent two of the Afghani batters back to the pavilion while also keeping an eye on the flow of the runs.