Haris Rauf Leads Pakistan's Rout Of Afghanistan In First ODI

22.08.2023 - 18:03 sports.ndtv.com

Fiery pacer Haris Rauf led a pace assault on Afghanistan with a career-best five-wicket haul to give Pakistan a thumping 142-run victory in the first ODI in Sri Lanka's Hambantota on Tuesday.

Rauf's shattering 5-18 in 6.2 overs forced Afghanistan to their second-lowest ODI totals of 59 in a staggering 19.2 overs after Pakistan were bowled out for 201 in 47.1 overs.

The victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series -- the first bilateral between the two nations -- with the remaining matches in Colombo on Thursday and Saturday.

Rauf carried on the demolition act after fellow fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi had removed Ibrahim Zadran (nought) and Rahmat Shah (nought) off successive deliveries in the third over.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team Shaheen Afridi Shaheen Shah Afridi Haris Rauf Hashmatullah Shahidi Mohammad Nabi Ibrahim Zadran Mujeeb Ur Zimbabwe Sri Lanka Afghanistan Pakistan

The cricket fans and experts are all talking about the on-field rivalry as India and Pakistan face each other in a much-anticipated match in Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday. The two sides have not played a bilateral series for more than a decade and as a result, any game between these traditional rivals gives rise of huge fanfare and debates. However, no rivalry was on display as Virat Kohli met Haris Rauf during the practice session of both sides. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Kohli can be seen interacting with Rauf as the two cricketers hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries. It was the first meeting of the duo since Kohli slammed a memorable six off Rauf's bowling at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

India vs Pakistan: Pakistan Reveal Playing XI Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023 Match Against India

The India vs Pakistan match is one of the most highly-anticipated encounter in world cricket and with the two sides facing each other in Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday, fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the contest. A lot of speculation has surrounded India's team composition ahead of the tournament but Pakistan have decided to announce their playing XI one day ahead of the match. During the pre-match press conference, skipper Babar Azam said that they will not be making any changes to the side that comprehensively defeated Nepal in the opening match of the competition.

India vs Pakistan: "Don't Have Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Or Haris Rauf..." - Rohit Sharma's Bouncer Ahead Of Asia Cup Game

India will face Pakistan in a much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 match on Saturday and considering the fact that the two sides have not played a bilateral series in more than a decade, cricket fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the contest. Ahead of the match, a lot of experts believe that it will be a battle between India's batting and Pakistan's bowling attack. With stars like Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, Pakistan's attack is one of the best in the world and capable of bowling out any opposition. India skipper Rohit Sharma was asked about the challenge but he had a rather interesting answer.

India Versus Pakistan, Asia Cup: Task Cut Out For Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill And Virat Kohli vs Pakistan's Pace Trio

India's top-order, consisting the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, faces a stern test at the expense of Pakistan's pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf when both team face-off in a Group A match of the ongoing Asia Cup on Saturday in Kandy. In recent times, Indian openers have struggled to negate the threat possessed by left-arm pacers, including Shaheen. In the past few meetings between the two sides, the Pakistan pacers have proved to be a tough nut to crack.

Neeraj Chopra's Special Message For Team India Ahead Of Pakistan Clash In Asia Cup 2023

Neeraj Chopra made a brilliant comeback to finish second in the Zurich Diamond League on Friday with the help of a 85.71m throw. The reigning world champion did not look in great form during the first three attempts but he came back strongly with a 85.22m in his fourth attempt and his best attempt coming in the last round. Ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2023, Neeraj had a special message for Rohit Sharma and Co about the game which has fans buzzing for some time now.

India vs Pakistan: Virat Kohli's 'Unfinished Business" Is "Big Danger" For Rivals: World Cup-Winning Star

Virat Kohli knows the cameras will be on him for the next two months. Starting with the Asia Cup and then the Cricket World Cup 2023, Virat Kohli will be expected to deliver. His first test will be in the India vs Pakistan contest in Sri Lanka on Saturday. Virat Kohli has performed well against Pakistan. His cracking six off Haris Rauf at the MCG is still talked about a lot in cricket circles. Australia's World Cup-winning spinner Brad Hogg is among the admirers of that shot. Hogg said that Kohli's hunger should be a cause of concern for the rivals. "I was looking at Virat Kohli's stats the other day. Tendulkar got a slightly better conversion rate of 100s. Virat Kohli's got a better record. I just think he has got his hunger back and a little bit of pressure taken off him. I think he's got unfinished business and that's probably the big danger for opposition teams. That innings against Pakistan here at the MCG, hitting Haris Rauf back over his head of good length. That was the best shot that I have ever seen in cricket. It was brilliant. Fans got to realize that there is a lot of pressure on Virat Kohli. He also can have ups and downs even the great Sachin Tendulkar had ups and downs. When he has got that right frame of mind and has that pressure off his back we see a dominant Virat Kohli. I am not worried about the Indian batting. I am probably worried about the Indian bowling attack. It is their bowling which doesn't get them off to a good start," he said on Backstage with Boria.