Rauf’s exceptional performance of 5-18 in 6.2 overs left Afghanistan struggling at their second-lowest ODI total of 59 runs, attained over a mere 19.2 overs. This remarkable feat followed Pakistan’s batting innings, where they were dismissed for 201 runs in 47.1 overs.
With this triumph, Pakistan now hold a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, marking the first bilateral series between these two nations. The upcoming matches are scheduled to take place in Colombo on Thursday and Saturday.
Rauf’s destructive spell commenced after fellow fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took out Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah with consecutive deliveries in the third over, reducing Afghanistan to 3-4.
Naseem Shah contributed by dismissing Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, without scoring. Subsequently, Rauf took over, completing the comprehensive victory.
Rauf secured wickets by dismissing Ikram Alikhil, top scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, completing the dismantling of Afghanistan’s batting order.
Rauf’s previous best performance was a 4-65 against England in Birmingham in 2021. Shaheen Shah Afridi concluded with figures of 2-9.
Afghanistan’s lowest ODI total across all matches is 58 runs, recorded against Zimbabwe in Sharjah in 2016.
Earlier Rahman was Pakistan’s wrecker-in-chief. The 22-year-old dismissed world number one batter Babar Azam for a third-ball duck to finish with figures of 3-33, while Nabi took 2-34 and Rashid 2-42.
Only opener Imam-ul-Haq with a 94-ball 61, Shadab Khan (39) and Iftikhar Ahmed (30) offered some resistance as Pakistan’s much-vaunted batting failed on a slow Hambantota stadium pitch.
Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan lost opener Fakhar Zaman off the fourth ball of the match for two before Rahman dismissed Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (21) in his first spell.
Haq steadied the innings with a fifth wicket stand of 50 with Ahmed and another 40 with Shadab before Nabi dismissed Haq and Ahmed in quick succession.
Haq’s 17th half century had only two boundaries.
Ace spinner Rashid chipped in with the wickets of Agha Salman (seven) and Shaheen Shah Afridi for two.
Shadab, who hit three boundaries in his 50-ball knock, added an invaluable 35-run stand with Naseem (18 not out) for the ninth wicket before the latter was run out.
(With AFP inputs)