Pakistan vs Afghanistan Archives

Clinical Pakistan beat Afghanistan in tri-series opener

Salman Ali Agha’s quick-fire half-century and an all-round bowling performance powered Pakistan to a comprehensive 39-run win in the opening match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

AFG143/10( 19.5 Over)

19.5: Haris Rauf gets Fareed to end the match

Fareed Ahmad 1 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 16.66

Rauf to bowl the last over of the match

AFG143/9 ( 19 Over)

18.1: Shaheen castles Mujeeb’s stump for his second wicket.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4 (9b 0x4 0x6) SR: 44.44

AFG141/8 ( 18 Over)

17.6: Haris has the last laugh as he gets dangerous Rashid Khan who is out after playing a fine knock

Rashid Khan 39 (16b 1×4 5×6) SR: 243.75

AFG122/7 ( 17 Over)

Muqeem continues

AFG 108/7 ( 16 Over)

Shaheen to bowl the 16th over

AFG 99/7 ( 15 Over)

14.1: Sufiyan Muqeem gets Mohammad Nabi, who is caught at long off

Muqeem continues

AFG 97/6 ( 14 Over)

13.3: Azmatullah tries to go big but gets a long way out of the crease. Haris dislodges the bail, and it’s another wicket for Pakistan.

Azmatullah Omarzai 0 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Nawaz back in the bowling attack

AFG 94/5 ( 13 Over)

12.1: Rasooli is caught courtesy of an excellent catch from Sufiyan Muqeem

Darwish Rasooli 21 (13b 1×4 1×6) SR: 161.53

Muqeem continues

AFG 93/4 ( 12 Over)

11.6: Rauf with another excellent delivery as Karim Janat is caught for a nought.

Karim Janat 0 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

11.3: Haris Rauf gets Atal with a beautiful slower delivery.

Sediqullah Atal 23 (19b 0x4 2×6) SR: 121.05

Haris Rauf comes to bowl

AFG 93/2 ( 11 Over)

Sufiyan Muqeem to bowl the 11th over.

AFG 85/2 ( 10 Over)

Saim Ayub brought back

AFG 74/2 (9 Over)

Salman Ali Agha to bowl the ninth over

AFG 68/2 (8 Over)

7.6: Nawaz gets dangerous Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz 38 (27b 3×4 1×6) SR: 140.74

Nawaz is back

AFG 60/1 (7 Over)

Saim Ayub into the attack

AFG 50/1 (6 Over)

Haris Rauf to bowl the last over of the powerplay

AFG 38/1 (5 Over)

Change in the bowling as Faheem comes to bowl

AFG 23/1 (4 Over)

Nawaz continues

AFG 17/1 (3 Over)

2.6: Shaheen rattles Ibrahim Zadran with a beautiful delivery. First blow for Afghanistan.

Ibrahim Zadran 9 (11b 2×4 0x6) SR: 81.81

Shaheen continues

AFG 11/0 (2 Over)

Nawaz to bowl from the other end

AFG 5/0 (1 Over)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran to open the innings for Afghanistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs Afghanistan (2nd INNINGS)

Salman Ali Agha’s quick-fire half-century powered Pakistan to 182-7 in the opening match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

PAK 182/7 (20 Over)

19.2: Haris tries to go big but is caught at deep mid-wicket

Mohammad Haris 15 (13b 1×4 0x6) SR: 115.38

Fareed Ahmed to bowl the last over

PAK 166/5 (19 Over)

Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl the 19th over

PAK 156/5 (18 Over)

Rashid Khan comes to bowl

PAK 147/5 (17 Over)

Fareed Ahmad to bowl his third over

PAK 137/5 (16 Over)

15.4: Nawaz is caught at deep mid-wicket as Mujeeb strikes to give Afghanistan a vital breakthrough.

Mohammad Nawaz 21 (11b 1×4 2×6) SR: 190.9

Mujeeb to bowl his last over

PAK 131/4 (15 Over)

Omarzai back into the attack

PAK 117/4 (14 Over)

Nabi to bowl his third over

PAK 112/4 (13 Over)

Rashid Khan to bowl the 13th over

PAK 95/4 (12 Over)

11.1: Fareed Ahmad gets dangerous Nawaz, who was trying to go over long, but the ball went straight into Sediqullah Atal’s hands.

Hasan Nawaz 9 (13b 1×4 0x6) SR: 69.23

Fareed Ahmad continues

PAK 83/3 (11 Over)

Mujeeb comes back to bowl

PAK 76/3 (10 Over)

Fareed Ahmad to bowl his first over

PAK 67/3 (9 Over)

Rashid Khan continues

PAK 63/3 (8 Over)

7.3: Fakhar Zaman tries to go big, and he is caught at long on.

Fakhar Zaman 20 (17b 1×4 1×6) SR: 117.64

Mohammad Nabi to continue

PAK 56/2 (7 Over)

6.5: Rashid Khan gets Saim Ayub as he holes out to cover

Saim Ayub 14 (16b 2×4 0x6) SR: 87.5

Rashid Khan comes to bowl

PAK 54/1 (6 Over)

Mohammad Nabi to bowl the last over of the powerplay

PAK 48/1 (5 Over)

Fazalhaq Farooqi is back in the attack

PAK 35/1 (4 Over)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman continues

PAK 32/1 (3 Over)

2.3: Sahibzada Farhan was looking so good, but unfortunately, he is caught on fine leg.

Sahibzada Farhan 21 (10b 1×4 2×6) SR: 210

Early change in the bowling as Azmatullah Omarzai comes into bowl

PAK 18/0 (2 Over)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl the second over

PAK 10/0 (1 Over)

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan come out to open the innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl the first over of the tri-series.

PAKISTAN vs AFGHANISTAN (1st INNINGS)

SHARJAH: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in the opening match of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Pakistan and Afghanistan have faced each other in seven T20I matches so far. In this competitive rivalry, Pakistan holds a narrow edge with four victories, while Afghanistan has notched three wins.

Matches 7, Pakistan 4, Afghanistan 3

READ: Final squads announced for ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025

UAE to host Afghanistan and Pakistan for U19 tri-series in November

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed that the Pakistan men’s U19 cricket team will take on Afghanistan and the hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a 50-over tri-series from 13 to 26 November.

Pakistan will face the UAE in the event opener (venue to be confirmed in due course) with the tournament to be played on a double-league format and the top two sides qualifying for the final.

This series will be played in the build-up to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 and will provide an excellent opportunity for the three sides to finalise their preparations for the competition, whose details will be announced by the ACC in due course.

With the PCB National U19 Cup (one-day) and Championship (three-day) due to commence in October, these events will be good platforms and opportunities for emerging and talented cricketers to perform consistently so that they can impress the selectors and strengthen their claims for the tri-series and the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup selection.

PCB Director International, Usman Wahla expressed his gratitude towards the Emirates Cricket Board for organizing the series.

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“We are delighted that the Pakistan Men’s U19 team will be taking part in a highly competitive U19 tri-series in the UAE just before the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup. This will be a great opportunity for the young players to grow and nurture their skills,” said Wahla.

“The PCB is thankful to the Emirates Cricket Board for arranging this tri-series which also shows strong bilateral ties between both the Boards and our shared commitment towards developing young players.”

Meanwhile, Director National Academy and Head Coach of UAE Men’s U19 team Mudassar Nazar showed believes that the tri-series will be a great platform for youngsters from the participating countries to prepare for U19 Asia Cup.

“The series provides an excellent preparation opportunity for the three teams ahead of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup,” said Nazar.

“UAE had an incredible run in last year’s Asia Cup, playing the final of the prestigious tournament which included cricketing powers like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was a phenomenal achievement indeed.

“U19 events act as a stepping stone for young cricketers and helps them understand the demands of professional cricket. We have an exciting bunch of young cricketers who are set to take UAE cricket forward in the years ahead, these two tournaments will surely help in their cricketing development and grooming.”

U19 tri-series (50 overs) Afghanistan-Pakistan-UAE Schedule

13 November – Pakistan vs UAE

15 November – Afghanistan vs Pakistan

17 November – UAE vs Afghanistan

19 November – Pakistan vs Afghanistan

21 November – Afghanistan vs UAE

23 November – UAE vs Pakistan

26 November – Final

READ: BCCI VP breaks silence on Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 boycott threat

Pakistan thrash Afghanistan to reach U19 Asia Cup 2023 semi-finals

Pakistan on Tuesday qualified for the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 semi-finals with an 83-run thrashing of Afghanistan in their group stage fixture at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Pakistan, who are unbeaten in the U19 Asia Cup 2023, put on a daunting total of 303 in 48 overs courtesy of Shamyl Hussain, Shahzaib Khan and Riaz Ullah’s fifties.

Opening batter Shahzaib Khan top-scored with 79 from 95 balls with nine boundaries and a six to his name. His opening part Shamyl Hussain struck seven fours and five maximums on his way to a 54-ball 75.

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Riaz Ullah chipped in with his 73 off 69 deliveries. His knock included five boundaries and two sixes.

Azan Awais was the next-best run-getter for Pakistan with a 19-ball 20 while the rest made modest contributions.

Faridoon Dawoodzai and Bashir Ahmad led the bowling charge for Afghanistan with three wickets each while Khalel Ahmad and Naseer Khan Maroofkhil bagged two wickets each.

In response, Afghanistan put on a hapless batting performance as the side were dismissed for 220 in 48.4 overs.

Wicketkeeper Numan Shah waged a lone battle for Pakistan against a ruthless Pakistan bowling attack as he struck a gritty half-century.

He top-scored for his side with 54 from 78 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six. Wafiullah Tarakhil chipped in with his 34-ball 32.

Ubaid Shah was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan at the back of his figures of 3/19 in seven overs. Tayyab Arif also dismissed three Afghanistan batters as well.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan started the U19 Asia Cup 2023 campaign with a seven-wicket win over Nepal. They beat arch-rivals India by the same margin as well in their following game.

READ: Sidra Amin’s century in vain as New Zealand thump Pakistan in first ODI

Wasim Akram lashes out at Pakistan cricket team after loss against Afghanistan

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has heavily criticized the Pakistan cricket team after an upset loss at the hands of Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

While talking to ‘The Pavilion,’ Wasim Akram slammed the Greenshirts for their below-par performance in the field, owing to their substandard fitness levels.

“It was embarrassing today, look at the fielding, and the fitness levels. We’ve been screaming for the last 3 weeks that these players haven’t undergone a fitness test in the last two years,” said Wasim Akram.

He further emphasized the significance of being physically fit to perform well in the field.

“Fielding is all about fitness and that’s where we are lacking. Now we have reached that same position, where we will pray for ifs and buts to happen,” he further added.

Legendary pacer @wasimakramlive lashes out at the Pakistan cricket team following their upset defeat against Afghanistan.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #ThePavilion #CWC23 #ShoaibMalik #MoinKhan #FakhreAlam #MisbahUlHaq #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/RZSaVDSXIS

— ASports (@asportstvpk) October 23, 2023

Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the ICC World Cup 2023 match yesterday.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah scored sensible half-centuries after Noor Ahmad’s 3/49 led Afghanistan to upset Pakistan.

The eight-wicket victory marked Afghanistan’s first over Pakistan in ODIs. The two sides had come face to face on seven occasions in the 50-over format.

Set to chase 283, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid start to the team. The pair put together a century-plus stand as both scored half-centuries before Usama Mir dismissed Gurbaz in the 22nd over.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim stood his ground firm and was involved in another anchoring partnership when he added 60 runs for the second wicket with Rahmat Shah before Hasan Ali got rid of him in the 34th over.

He top-scored for Afghanistan with 87 in 113 balls, hitting 10 boundaries.

Shah was then joined by his skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and the duo knitted a sensible 96-run partnership to steer Afghanistan to a historic victory with an over to spare.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 77 off 84 deliveries, laced up with five boundaries and two sixes while Shahidi scored 48 not out in 45 balls with the help of four boundaries.

For Pakistan, only Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali could pick up a wicket each while the rest of their bowlers went wicketless against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, in the first innings Pakistan opening batters Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq justified their captain’s decision to bat first by putting up a 56-run partnership.

Azmatullah Omarzai gave the first breakthrough to Afghanistan by sending Imam-ul-Haq back ending his brief innings of 17 off 22.

Babar Azam then joined Abdullah Shafique and piled up 54 runs for the second wicket, before Noor Ahmad dismissed the latter to claim his first World Cup wicket.

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Shafique scored 56 off 75, knitted with five boundaries and two sixes.

Babar Azam played a cautious 74-run knock from 92 deliveries, with the help of four boundaries and one six, before falling to Noor Ahmad.

Iftikhar Ahmed then joined Shadab Khan at a total of 206 in the 42nd over and attacked Afghanistan bowlers with a blistering innings of 42 off 27, featuring two boundaries and four sixes.

Together they added 73 runs off 45 balls to lift Pakistan’s total to 282, before falling in the final over.

Noor Ahmad returned with figures of 3-49 for Afghanistan, while Naveen-ul-Haq picked two wickets.

The sensational eight-wicket victory ascended Afghanistan to sixth in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings while Pakistan managed to hold on to their fifth position.

READ: La Liga: Teen striker Guiu snatches Barcelona win over Athletic Bilbao

Afghanistan upset Pakistan to ascend in ICC World Cup 2023 standings

Pakistan vs Afghanistan World Cup 2023

Pakistan

282/7 (50)

Afghanistan

286/2 (49)

Afghanistan Win by Eight Wickets

PAKISTAN vs AFGHANISTAN (2nd INNINGS)

Set to chase 283, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid start to the team as the pair put together a century-plus stand as both scored half-centuries.

The duo dominated Pakistan bowlers before Usama Mir got the much-needed breakthrough for his side by dismissing Gurbaz in the 22nd over.

Gurbaz scored 65 off 53 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries and a six.

He top-scored for Afghanistan with 87 in 113 balls, hitting 10 boundaries.

Shah was then joined by his skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and the duo knitted a sensible 96-run partnership to steer Afghanistan to a historic victory with an over to spare.

Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 77 off 84 deliveries, laced up with five boundaries and two sixes while Shahidi scored 48 not out in 45 balls with the help of four boundaries.

For Pakistan, only Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali could pick up a wicket each while the rest of their bowlers went wicketless.

FALL OF WICKETS

33.3: Ibrahim Zadran 87 (113b 10×4 0x6) SR: 76.99

Hasan gets some extra bounce off a length and Ibrahim departs. He looks to force it through the offside but is deceived by that extra bounce and can only edge it to Rizwan.

21.1: Rahmanullah Gurbaz 65 (53b 9×4 1×6) SR: 122.64

Afridi bowled short around middle and off, and angled across to finish outside off. Gurbaz seemed to be into his pull early, as the ball took off from the top edge for a simple catch

PAKISTAN vs AFGHANISTAN (1st INNINGS)

Opting to bat first, Pakistan put on a formidable total of 282/7 on the board, courtesy of Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam’s half-centuries, followed by a late onslaught by Iftikhar Ahmed.

Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique scripted a decent start for their side by putting up 56 runs for the first wicket, which lasted when Azmatullah Omarzai removed Imam (17) in the 11th over.

Abdullah, alongside Babar, then anchored the innings with a solid partnership before Noor Ahmed pulled things back with twin strikers, removing Abdullah (58) and Mohammad Rizwan (8) in his successive overs.

Babar then stitched brief partnerships with Saud Shakeel (25) and Shadab Khan before falling victim to Noor, who returned with splendid figures of 3/49 in his 10 overs. Babar top-scored for Pakistan with a 92-ball 74.

All-rounders Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan then launched a late onslaught on the Afghanistan bowlers, adding 73 runs in 45 deliveries before both perished in the final over.

Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan scored 40 each, while the former took just 27 deliveries, 11 fewer than Shadab.

FALL OF WICKETS

49.6: Shadab Khan 40 (38b 1×4 1×6) SR: 105.26

Naveen bowled short and wide of off and Shadab could not place it as intended and ended up handing a simple catch to Mohammad Nabi.

49.2: Iftikhar Ahmed 40 (27b 2×4 4×6) SR: 148.4

Iftikhar looked to loft this inside out, seeing that the ball was on a length, and wide of off. He got the elevation but went right into the lap of the fielder on the boundary.

41.5: Babar Azam 74 (92b 4×4 1×6) SR: 80.43

Noor bowled short and wide, inviting Babar to have a slash away from his body. He shifted his weight onto his back foot, and went hard, only to be caught by Nabi at extra cover.

33.6: Saud Shakeel 25 (34b 3×4 0x6) SR: 73.52

He miscued Nabi’s ball straight up and Rashid sprinted across from long-on and took a simple catch.

24.4: Mohammad Rizwan 8 (10b 0x4 1×6) SR: 80

Rizwan has to reach out to sweep that from wide outside off delivery from Noor, and the ball ends up spooning to the man at short fine leg.

22.3: Abdullah Shafique 58 (75b 5×4 2×6) SR: 77.33

Abdullah looks to sweep Noor but is hit on his front pad. Afghanistan reviews and it shows no bottom edge. The ball goes below the bat, and ball tracking shows the ball hitting the top of the leg stump.

10.1: Imam-ul-Haq 17 (22b 2×4 0x6) SR: 77.27

Imam attempts the pull shot to Omarzai but miscues straight to midwicket where Naveen takes a simple catch.

CHENNAI: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in the 22nd match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Pakistan

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmed

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 7, Pakistan 7, Afghanistan 0

ODI World Cup: Matches 1, Pakistan 1, Afghanistan 0

READ: Brydon Carse replaces injured Reece Topley in England ICC World Cup 2023 squad

ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan win toss, elect to bat first against Afghanistan

CHENNAI: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in the 22nd match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Pakistan

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmed

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 7, Pakistan 7, Afghanistan 0

ODI World Cup: Matches 1, Pakistan 1, Afghanistan 0

READ: Holders England suffer major setback to their World Cup campaign

Afghanistan coach looks for more ‘passionate’ rivalry with Pakistan

Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott said on Sunday that his team are looking forward to renewing a “passionate” rivalry with Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 which has often reflected the stormy political relationship between the two neighbours.

Both sides will clash on Monday and are in desperate need of a win at the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan have lost their last two games after a pair of opening wins. Afghanistan pulled off a shock victory over defending champions England but have also slumped to three defeats.

At the 2019 World Cup match in Leeds, which Pakistan won by three wickets, riots between the two sets of fans erupted outside the stadium.

Afghanistan fast bowler Fareed Malik and Pakistan batsman Asif Ali almost came to blows in a Twenty20 game at Sharjah last year.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

“I think for them (Afghanistan players) it’s a rivalry that excites them,” said Trott on Sunday.

“I think it’s a rivalry that sometimes in the past has been very passionate.

“We’ve had very close games as well. Hopefully, tomorrow isn’t very exciting and we win by a lot. It’s just the nature of the rivalry, I should say.”

He added: “Both teams, I think, respect each other, but are very desperate to win.”

Trott said he wasn’t aware that Pakistan had unsuccessfully demanded the International Cricket Council switch Sunday’s game to another venue.

Reports claimed that Pakistan were keen to dent the threat posed by Afghanistan’s world-class spin attack.

“I didn’t know about them wanting to (change the venue), but I think Pakistan have got good spinners themselves and the thing with spinners, there are only two or three of them playing a game,” said Trott.

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Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi will pose a threat to Pakistan as they did against England, sharing eight wickets in an upset 69-run win.

That game, however, took place in New Delhi.

“It’s everybody’s job, not just the spinners, to win games. There’s batsmen who’ve got to put runs on the board or batsmen who’ve got to chase down a total,” added former England batsman Trott.

“Chennai is normally a good wicket. So, with regards to the mindset, it’s important, as I said, the mindset we have there is that it’s a team game. It’s not just a spinners game.”

Afghanistan have lost all seven ODIs against Pakistan but can take a degree of satisfaction from knowing that they clinched three of the teams’ last four Twenty20 meetings.

“We always look to put the opposition under pressure straight away so we’ll be looking to do that tomorrow obviously, and I don’t think there’s any thoughts with regards to previous matches,” said Trott.

READ: Melbourne Stars routed for record-low 29 in WBBL

ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan team departs for Chennai ahead of Afghanistan clash

Pakistan Men’s cricket team departed for Chennai through a chartered plane from Bengaluru on Saturday for their next ICC World Cup 2023 fixture against Afghanistan, scheduled on October 21.

Upon their arrival, the Pakistan contingent will enjoy a rest day today and hit the nets tomorrow to prepare for the Afghanistan clash on Monday.

Pakistan is currently in fifth position in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings with four points in three matches, with a net run rate of -0.456.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Pakistan suffered a thumping 62-run loss to Australia, courtesy of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh’s dominating centuries, followed by a disciplined bowling performance.

Set to chase a daunting 368-run target, Pakistan could accumulate 305 in response, before being bundled out in the 46th over.

Pakistan got off to a solid start as their openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq also fired with both scoring half-centuries.

The pair took Pakistan to 134 unhurt in 21 before Marcus Stoinis struck on his very first delivery to break the shackles as he outclassed Abdullah with a short-pitched delivery.

Stoinis then struck again in his next over to remove Imam and posted a major dent to Pakistan’s pursuit by removing both set batters in quick succession.

Imam remained the top scorer for Pakistan with a 71-ball 70, hitting 10 boundaries.

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Out-of-form Adam Zampa soon strengthened Australia’s command by claiming the prized scalp of Pakistan captain Babar Azam (18), causing the green shirts to slip to 175/3 in 26.2 overs.

Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan then put together an anchoring 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Pat Cummins got rid of Saud,.

Rizwan was then joined by Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle and he charged at the Australian bowlers before Zampa removed him in the 39th over.

Zampa then struck again in his next over and got rid of Pakistan’s mainstay Mohammad Rizwan to put the five-time champions in complete control.

Australian bowlers then ran through their batting tail and soon booked Pakistan on 305 to taste their second consecutive victory, which lifted them to the fourth position in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Adam Zampa led the bowling attack for Australia with 4/53 in his 10, followed by two each from Stoinis and Pat Cummins while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struck out a batter apiece.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 fixtures

October 23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
October 27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 11 – vs England in Kolkata

The day matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed promoted, Abrar added to PCB Men’s central contracts list

Afghanistan stun Pakistan to reach Asian Games 2023 final

Afghanistan beat Pakistan by four wickets in the Asian Games 2023 Men’s Cricket second semi-final played at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field in Hangzhou, China on Friday.

After being put into bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 115 in 18 overs. The target was achieved in 17.5 overs by Afghanistan.

Omair Yousuf (24, 19b, 2x4s, 1×6) was the highest scorer for Pakistan, followed by Aamir Jamal (14, 11b, 1×4, 1×6), Arafat Minhas (13, 14b, 1×4) and Rohail Nazir (10, 15b, 1×6).

Pacer Fareed Ahmed returned with three wickets while giving 15 runs in the three overs he bowled. Spinners Qais Ahmed and Zahir Khan grabbed two wickets each.

In return, on the backs of Noor Ali Zadran (39, 33b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Gulbadin Naib (26 not out, 19b, 1×4, 3x6s), Afghanistan secured the final berth at the 19^th Asian Games.

Pakistan spin attack gained much success during the innings; Qasim Akram and Sufiyan Muqeem got a wicket each, while Usman Qadir and Arafat Minhas returned with two wickets each.

In the first Asian Games 2023 semi-final, India outclassed Bangladesh by nine wickets and 64 balls to spare, thanks to a combined bowling effort, followed by Tilak Verma’s unbeaten half-century.

Put into bat first, Bangladesh could post a meagre total of 96/9 on the board.

Wicketkeeper batter Jaker Ali (24 not out) top-scored for Bangladesh in their dismal show with the bat, followed by opener Parvez Hossain Emon (23) and Rakibul Hasan (14) while the rest of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

In response, India comfortably knocked off the winning runs, courtesy of an unbeaten 97-run partnership between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Verma.

Verma remained the top-scorer for India with an unbeaten 55 off just 26 deliveries while Gaikwad scored 40 not out in as many balls.

Pakistan next face Bangladesh for the Asian Games 2023 bronze medal at the same venue tomorrow. The match will begin at 0600 local time.

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Pakistan crush Afghanistan to go on top in ODI rankings

COLOMBO: A collective bowling effort, followed by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s half-centuries, led Pakistan to the top of the ODI Rankings with a clean sweep victory in the PAK vs AFG ODI series.

AFG 209 (48.4 Overs)

Shaheen to bowl the penultimate over

AFG 209/9 (48 Overs)

Nawaz returns

AFG 202/9 (47 Overs)

Wasim Jr bowls again

AFG 199/9 (46 Overs)

Shaheen continues

AFG 192/8 (45 Overs)

Wasim Jr continues

AFG 187/8 (44 Overs)

Shaheen comes back

AFG 175/8 (43 Overs)

Wasim Jr bowls again

AFG 170/8 (42 Overs)

Nawaz replaces Shadab

AFG 161/8 (41 Overs)

Wasim Jr continues

AFG 156/8 (40 Overs)

Shadab continues

AFG 154/7 (39 Overs)

Wasim Jr back into the attack

AFG 153/7 (38 Overs)

Shadab replaces Faheem

AFG 140/7 (37 Overs)

Nawaz continues to bowl

AFG 132/7 (36 Overs)

Faheem continues

AFG 113/7 (35 Overs)

Nawaz continues

AFG 106/7 (34 Overs)

Faheem replaces Shadab

AFG 99/7 (33 Overs)

Nawaz again

AFG 97/6 (32 Overs)

Shadab continues

AFG 88/6 (31 Overs)

Nawaz continues

AFG 83/6 (30 Overs)

Shadab replaces Shaheen

AFG 76/6 (29 Overs)

28.4: That was angled just on off. Nabi backs away looking to go inside out, but can’t get the elevation. Imam stretches forward and grabs the ball.

Nawaz bowls again

AFG 74/5 (28 Overs)

Shaheen continues for his seventh

AFG 71/5 (27 Overs)

Nawaz continues

AFG 68/5 (26 Overs)

Shaheen continues

AFG 67/5 (25 Overs)

Mohammad Nawaz into the attack now

AFG 64/5 (24 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi returns

AFG 63/5 (23 Overs)

Shadab again

AFG 62/5 (22 Overs)

21.4: Pitches it full and wide of off, Naib doesn’t move his feet much as he tries to poke at it and ends up getting caught behind.

Agha continues

AFG 61/4 (21 Overs)

20.4: Length ball on middle and off, Shahidi looks to pull this away but only manages to get the toe end of the bat to it as the ball goes straight into Imam’s hands at midwicket.

20.1: Tossed up on middle, spun away just a moment, Hassan goes for a slog sweep to but doesn’t time it well and top edges to Fakhar at deep square leg

Shadab continues

AFG 60/2 (20 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha into the attack

AFG 58/2 (19 Overs)

Shadab bowls

AFG 58/2 (18 Overs)

Wasim Jr continues

AFG 56/2 (17 Overs)

Shadab continues to bowl

AFG 55/2 (16 Overs)

Wasim Jr again

AFG 52/2 (15 Overs)

Shadab continues

AFG 47/2 (14 Overs)

Wasim Jr continues

AFG 42/2 (13 Overs)

Shadab Khan into the attack now

AFG 39/2 (12 Overs)

Faheem continues to bowl

AFG 35/2 (11 Overs)

Wasim Jr continues

AFG 30/2 (10 Overs)

Faheem continues

AFG 27/1 (9 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim Jr comes into the attack

AFG 26/1 (8 Overs)

Faheem continues

AFG 22/1 (7 Overs)

Shaheen continues

AFG 17/1 (6 Overs)

5.2: Faheem bowls straighter on the middle, Gurbaz misses, is rapped on the pads and given out by the on-field umpire.

Faheem Ashraf again

AFG 17/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen bowls

AFG 14/0 (4 Overs)

Faheem continues from the other end

AFG 11/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

AFG 10/0 (2 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf to bowl from the other end

AFG 6/0 (1 Over)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan come out to bat for Afghanistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi bowls the opening over.

PAKISTAN vs AFGHANISTAN (2nd INNINGS)

COLOMBO: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s anchoring half-centuries propelled Pakistan to a commendable total of 267/8 in the third PAK vs AFG ODI against Afghanistan.

PAK 268/8 (50 Overs)

Fareed to bowl the final over

PAK 252/7 (49 Overs)

Farooqi bowls penultimate over

PAK 242/6 (48 Overs)

Fareed again

PAK 236/6 (47 Overs)

Rashid continues

PAK 229/6 (46 Overs)

Fareed continues

PAK 215/6 (45 Overs)

Change of ends for Rashid

PAK 207/6 (44 Overs)

Fareed replaces Rashid

PAK 200/6 (43 Overs)

Mujeeb continues

PAK 194/6 (42 Overs)

Rashid from the other end

PAK 189/6 (41 Overs)

Mujeeb replaces Nabi

PAK 188/5 (40 Overs)

39.2: Fareed bowls a length ball, angling in on middle and Rizwan is caught in the crease as he misses a flick.

Fareed comes back

PAK 180/4 (39 Overs)

38.3: On a length on the middle stump, Saud works it with soft hands to the on-side and sets off. Gurbaz scrambles across, picks the ball and in one swift motion nails a direct hit at the striker’s end.

Nabi replaces Rashid

PAK 179/3 (38 Overs)

Mujeeb replaces Naib

PAK 166/3 (37 Overs)

36.6: Legbreak floated outside off. Babar stays back and feebly pats it without moving his feet much. Spins and catches Babar’s outside edge with Gurbaz completing a simple catch.

Rashid again

PAK 162/2 (36 Overs)

Naib continues

PAK 150/2 (35 Overs)

Rashid continues

PAK 141/2 (34 Overs)

Naib replaces Mujeeb

PAK 131/2 (33 Overs)

Rashid replaces Nabi

PAK 124/2 (32 Overs)

Mujeeb replaces Fareed

PAK 113/2 (31 Overs)

Nabi again

PAK 103/2 (30 Overs)

Fareed continues

PAK 96/2 (29 Overs)

Nabi continues

PAK 93/2 (28 Overs)

Fareed again

PAK 76/2 (27 Overs)

Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack

PAK 86/2 (26 Overs)

Fareed continues to bowl

PAK 80/2 (25 Overs)

Naib bowls again

PAK 77/2 (24 Overs)

Fareed continues

PAK 76/2 (23 Overs)

Naib continues

PAK 76/2 (22 Overs)

Fareed Ahmad comes into the attack now

PAK 73/2 (21 Overs)

Naib replaces Farooqi

PAK 72/2 (20 Overs)

Rashid again

PAK 72/2 (19 Overs)

Farooqi continues

PAK 64/2 (18 Overs)

Rashid continues

PAK 61/2 (17 Overs)

Farooqi returns

PAK 59/2 (16 Overs)

Rashid continues

PAK 58/2 (15 Overs)

Naib again

PAK 55/2 (14 Overs)

Rashid Khan into the attack now

PAK 52/2 (13 Overs)

12.5: Naib bowls a short ball outside off stump, Imam goes for a wild swing after coming down the track and gets a thick edge to the keeper.

Naib bowls again

PAK 49/1 (12 Overs)

Mujeeb continues

PAK 44/1 (11 Overs)

Naib continues

PAK 42/1 (10 Overs)

Mujeeb continues his opening spell

PAK 36/1 (9 Overs)

8.6: On a length outside off away from his hitting arc. Fakhar jumps down the track and swings through the line. But gets it off the bottom of the blade, miscuing it straight up. Riaz Hassan takes a good catch running back.

Gulbadin Naib into the attack now

PAK 34/0 (8 Overs)

Mujeeb bowls his fourth

PAK 33/0 (7 Overs)

Farooqi bowls again

PAK 24/0 (6 Overs)

Mujeeb again

PAK 16/0 (5 Overs)

Farooqi continues to bowl

PAK 6/0 (4 Overs)

Mujeeb continues

PAK 6/0 (3 Overs)

Farooqi continues

PAK 2/0 (2 Overs)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls from the other end

PAK 2/0 (1 Over)

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq to open the innings for Pakistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs AFGHANISTAN (1st INNINGS)

COLOMBO: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first in the third PAK vs AFG ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan make four changes to their lineup as Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim Jr replace Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf while Afghanistan make two changes.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Fareed Ahmad.

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 6, Pakistan 6, Afghanistan 0

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