Haris Rauf takes five wickets as Pakistan thrash Afghanistan in opening ODI

22.08.2023 - 17:31 thenationalnews.com

Fast-bowler Haris Rauf took five wickets as Pakistan thrashed Afghanistan by 142-runs in the opening one-day international in Hambantota on Tuesday.

Chasing 202 for victory, Afghanistan were left with a mountain to climb after slumping to 18-4 as Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi all fell for ducks.

And the wickets kept tumbling as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) and Azmatullah Omarzai (who retired hurt with a back strain on 16) finished as the only Afghan players to reach double figures as the team was bowled out for just 59 in 19.2 overs.

Rauf finished with 5-18 – his maiden five-for in ODIs – while Shaheen Afridi took 2-9 as the Pakistan pace attack ripped through Afghanistan's batting line-up at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. “As a bowling unit, I am happy for the team,” said the player of the match Rauf, whose previous best of 4-65 came against England at Birmingham in 2021. “When I started the bowling, I just wanted to hit the hard lengths. “Naseem and Shaheen bowled really well.

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