Pakistan secured the Number 1 position in the ICC men's ODI Team Rankings.

PAK VS AFG SERIES: Pakistan endured a panic from Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the hitter, to guarantee a series whitewash over Afghanistan and with it the Number 1 position in the ICC men's ODI Team Rankings.

Pakistan came into the series realizing that main a 3-0 win would be sufficient to overwhelm Australia at the highest point of the rankings, and accomplished precisely that. They shielded a low complete in the main game in some style, bowling Afghanistan out for 59. In the second, as well, they were made to perspire, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran setting up a twofold century opening stand before Pakistan won a thrill ride by one wicket with a ball in excess.

Colombo, 26 August 2023: Pakistan's reasonable exhibition with both bat and ball tied down a persuading triumph over Afghanistan to recover the Number 1, position in the ODI rankings. Pakistan last flooded to the No.1 spot on 5 May 2023 in the wake of procuring a 4-0 lead in the five-match series against New Zealand at home.

Babar Azam's authority, Mohammad Rizwan's consistency, and the joined endeavors of the bowling unit played significant parts in Pakistan's victory. Afghanistan battled bravely towards the finish of the match yet missed the mark concerning the objective, confronting the intensity of Pakistan's balanced exhibition.

Targeting 269 for achievement, Afghanistan's innings pulled out to an unstable starting so Afghanistan disoriented Rahmanullah Gurbaz on (5) and Ibrahim Zadran ducked early. Riaz Hassan on  (34) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (13) steadied the boat, yet both succumbed to Shadab Khan's twist.

Shahidullah's patient thump of 37 runs kept Afghanistan's expectations alive, however, wickets fell at ordinary stretches on the opposite end. Shaheen Shah Afridi's effective spell (2-31) eliminated key hitters, including the hazardous Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who played an unstable thump of 64 runs.

Salman Ali Agha (1-3) gave a vital leap forward, and Mohammad Nawaz (2-45) contributed with wickets to keep the tension on Afghanistan. Eventually, Afghanistan figured out how to score 209 runs prior to being bowled out in 48.4 overs.

Prior to selecting to bat first, Pakistan's innings began consistently with openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq adopting a careful strategy against the Afghanistan bowling assault.

In any case, Gulbadin Naib's leap forward in the ninth over eliminated Fakhar (27) and later Imam (13) to put Pakistan under some tension.

Chief Babar Azam drove from the front, constructing a pivotal organization with Mohammad Rizwan. The team played reasonably, blending hostility in with mindfulness to settle the innings with a 110-run organization for the third wicket. Babar Azam's rich thump of 60 runs reached a conclusion when he was excused by Rashid Khan. Mohammad Rizwan proceeded with his fine touch, creating a very much paced innings of 67 runs.

Saud Shakeel (9) and Shadab Khan (3) fell rapidly, yet Salman Ali Agha's unbeaten 38-run commitment gave a late impulse to Pakistan's innings. Mohammad Nawaz (30) likewise played a significant appearance further down the request. Pakistan posted a serious all-out of 268-8 in their dispensed 50 overs.

Fazalhaq Farooqi (1-45), Mujeeb ur Rahman (1-50), and Rashid Khan (1-42) got significant leap forwards. Fareed Ahmad (2-70) and Gulbadin Naib (2-36) were viable in containing the run stream.

Scores to sum things up:

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 59 runs

Pakistan: 268-8 out of 50 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 67, Babar Azam 60, Salman Ali Agha 38 not out, Mohammad Nawaz 30; Gulbadin Naib 2-36, Fareed Ahmad 2-70)

Afghanistan: 209 all out in 48.4 overs (Mujeeb Ur Rahman scored 64, Shahidullah scored 37, Riaz Hassan; Shadab Khan took 3-42, Shaheen Shah Afridi took 2-31, Faheem Ashraf took 2-43, Mohammad Nawaz took 2-45)



Player of the Match: Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

Player of the series: Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)