Pakistan A record resounding win

Afghanistan handed eight-wicket defeat on first one-day match.

KARACHI: Pakistan A recorded a resounding eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Monday after captain Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz and Zulfiqar Babar snatched three scalps each in the first one-day match of the two-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The visitors – who had struggled in their batting during their previous two matches against the Pakistan’s regional teams – suffered another blow against a relatively experienced bowling attack.

Afghanistan were bundled out for a paltry 122 in 38.5 overs after being asked to bat first by the home team.

The tourists got to a relatively better start with Karim Sadiq and Mohammad Shahzad chipping in 42 for the first wicket. But they failed to maintain the rhythm and lost significant control after Shahzad was sent packing after making 33 off 51 deliveries.

At 65 for two, the visitors looked weak and started losing wickets at quick intervals — falling prey to the mighty trio of Afridi, Riaz and Babar.



Javed Ahmedi (23) was the second highest scorer for Afghanistan.

Left-handed Riaz finished with figures of three for 18 and was awarded the man of the match award.

Captain Afridi picked up three wickets, conceding 24 runs from his ten overs while Babar gave away 26 runs in his three-wicket haul.

Meanwhile, Pakistan raced to victory in only 16.1 overs after fiery knocks from Umar Akmal and Khurram Manzoor. Akmal blasted an unbeaten 47 with the help of six boundaries and a couple of sixes from 30 deliveries.

Opener Manzoor also played his part with an impressive knock of 41 from only 25 deliveries — an innings laced with nine boundaries.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2013.