PAK vs AFG: Pakistan team reaches Colombo for third ODI

Colombo: The Pakistan squad reached the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo to participate in the third of the three-match PAK vs AFG ODI series on Friday. 

Pakistan have already sealed the series with a 2-0 lead over Afghanistan after a sensational one-wicket victory in the second PAK vs AFG ODI yesterday.

In the second ODI of the series against the same opponents, Naseem Shah, who had previously led Pakistan to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the last iteration of the Asia Cup, once again led Pakistan to a narrow victory.

The right-arm pacer, who proved his mettle with the bat in numerous crunch situations, stole the spotlight with a tense finish despite Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam’s half-centuries and Shadab Khan’s gutsy 48.

Meanwhile, in the first ODI, Haris Rauf’s maiden five-wicket haul propelled Pakistan to register a crushing 142-run victory over Afghanistan on Tuesday.

The series is the first bilateral ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Before this series, they played only four ODIs and Pakistan remained unbeaten in all.

Afterwards, the Pakistan team will face Nepal in the curtain raiser of the Asia Cup, starting on August 30 at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture, while the rest of the games including the final will be played in Sri Lanka.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Pakistan’s Squad for the Afghanistan Series and Asia Cup:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for PAK vs AFG)

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi