Pakistan set 269 runs target for Afghanistan in final ODI

Colombo: In the final encounter of the One Day International (ODI) series, Pakistan has set a target of 269 runs for Afghanistan, as the match unfolds in Colombo on Saturday. After winning the toss and opting to bat first against Afghanistan, Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan each contributed fifties, propelling their team to a solid position.

Babar Azam compiled 60 runs, while Muhammad Rizwan achieved a score of 50 runs, as the two players collectively amassed 110 runs from 145 balls in the first innings. Additional impetus was provided by Mohammad Nawaz (30 off 25) and Agha Salman (38 not out in 31), who collaborated to yield a partnership of 61 runs off 47 balls for the seventh wicket. Pakistan concluded their innings with a total of eight wickets lost over 50 overs.

During Afghanistan's innings, Gulbadin Naib and Fareed Ahmad managed to secure two wickets each.

Maintaining a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, Pakistan's supremacy remains undisputed. In the event of triumphing in today's match, Pakistan stands a chance to ascend to the top position in the ICC ODI Rankings.

Fifties from @babarazam258 and @iMRizwanPak followed by late-order fireworks take Pakistan to 268 in the third ODI ?

Over to the bowlers after the break ☄️#AFGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/5JVBRa2HX8

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 26, 2023

The lineup underwent a reshuffle, with Pakistan introducing four alterations: Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr stepped in, replacing Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. Afghanistan also made modifications, as Gulbadin Naib and Fareed Ahmad took the places of Abdul Rahman and Ikram Alikhil.

Reflecting on the conditions, Pakistan's captain Babar Azam remarked, "The pitch looks very dry with a little bit of grass. The first ten overs will be crucial. We'll try to put runs on the board and then put pressure on them. We'll try to win this game. Everyone's excited. We have four changes. We are pretty satisfied. We are trying different combinations in this match. We'll try to give our best today also. Today's pitch is different from the ones we had in the LPL. I think it's a good pitch. I think 280-290 is a good total."

In response, Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed, "Last game was very good. Today is a new and fresh day, we'll try to come back and win. We don’t get enough chances. We are playing some very good cricket in the last two years. We'll try to play good cricket. Our aim will be to try and win. We have made two changes. Gulbadin and Fareed are in."

Pakistan's initial ODI victory held a convincing lead of 142 runs. In contrast, the second match presented a closely contested scenario, with Pakistan securing a narrow one-wicket win, largely attributed to Naseem Shah's contributions.

Playing XIs
Pakistan: 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Agha Salman, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Faheem Ashraf, 10 Shaheen Afridi, 11 Mohammad Wasim
Afghanistan: 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Riaz Hassan, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Gulbadin Naib, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Rashid Khan, 8 Shahidullah Kamal, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11 Fareed Ahmad