Pakistan give target of 269 runs to Afghanistan in 3rd ODI

 

Pakistan give target of 269 runs to Afghanistan in 3rd ODI



On this eventful day of August 26, 2023, the cricket world stands still as Pakistan and Afghanistan lock horns in a pivotal showdown at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium. The excitement is palpable, as both teams vie for supremacy in the final one-day international (ODI) match of this series.

Amidst the echoing cheers of fans, Pakistan's Men in Green take the stage, embarking on a mission to set a challenging target for their Afghan counterparts. The scoreboard reads 269 runs, a testament to their determination to conquer this match. The graceful batting of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam orchestrates a symphony of elegant fifties, guiding Pakistan to a final score of 268-8 in their allocated 50 overs.

But this encounter holds much more than just another victory. Pakistan's series lead of 2-0 serves as a stepping stone, propelling them towards a grand aspiration. A triumphant victory today wouldn't just secure the series sweep; it would propel Pakistan to the coveted zenith of the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings, dethroning the reigning Australia.

The pre-match atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Captain Babar Azam, the team's beacon of leadership, acknowledges the first 10 overs as a crucible of challenge. With strategic foresight, Pakistan plans to pile on the pressure by setting an imposing target. The reshuffled lineup, with Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr assuming their roles, underscores Pakistan's commitment to this endeavor. The quartet replaces the seasoned players Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, signaling a tactical shift.

In contrast, Afghanistan faces a setback with all-rounder Azmatullah Umarzai's sidelining due to a side strain. In the spirit of adaptability, the Afghanistan Cricket Board calls upon Gulbadin Naib to fill the void and infuse their lineup with renewed vigor.

The echoes of the previous clash linger, where victory danced between both teams. Pakistan's prowess shone through in the face of adversity, echoing the heroic tale of Naseem Shah leading them to victory against the same foe in the Asia Cup 2022. The same spirit courses through their veins, as Naseem Shah's masterful performance guided Pakistan to an exhilarating victory in the final over, extracting 11 runs from just 6 balls.

As the battle unfolds, the stage is set for these cricketing gladiators to etch their names into history:

Pakistan's Playing XI:

  • Fakhar Zaman
  • Imam-ul-Haq
  • Babar Azam (Captain)
  • Salman Ali Agha
  • Saud Shakeel
  • Mohammad Rizwan
  • Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain)
  • Mohammad Nawaz
  • Faheem Ashraf
  • Mohammad Wasim Jr
  • Shaheen Afridi

Afghanistan's Playing XI:

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
  • Ibrahim Zadran
  • Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
  • Gulbadin Naib
  • Riaz Hassan
  • Shahidullah Kamal
  • Mohammad Nabi
  • Fareed Ahmad Malik
  • Rashid Khan
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi

As the sun sets on this thrilling contest, the global cricketing community stands united in anticipation. Today's outcome holds the power to reshape rankings and rewrite records, adding another chapter to the grand tapestry of cricketing history.

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