Istafa Ali
Mickey Arthur, director of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team, praised the Green Shirts after they moved back to the top of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) One Day International (ODI) rankings on Saturday after beating Afghanistan 3-0.
Saturday, after the third ODI against Afghanistan, Arther told the Pakistan team in the locker room, “There is a cake here with the number one on it. This is a sign of all the hard work you guys have done over time to get to the top of the world.”
“Never ever take this for granted,” he insisted. “Let’s celebrate this tonight because so much blood, sweat, and tears have gone into it. We’re getting ready for the World Cup, so this is just the beginning.”
Positive vibes as Pakistan emerge triumphant ✨
Watch the trophy moment and exchanges with our Afghanistan counterparts after the third match 🏆🙌#AFGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/zJmDBvluB7
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 27, 2023
The Asia Cup, which starts on August 30, is the next game for Pakistan. In October and November of this year, the World Cup will take place in India.
Asia Cup 2023: Schedule, Format, Venue and Background
Afghanistan was out for 209 runs in 48.4 overs while trying to reach a goal of 269 runs in the third ODI. This helped Pakistan win by 59 runs.
Pakistan’s best bowler was Shadab Khan, who took three wickets and gave up 42 runs in 10 overs.
Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Shaheen Afridi all got two wickets each.
Afghanistan’s hitting was terrible. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who batted last and got 64 runs in 37 balls, had the most runs of his career. His powerful knock included five fours and as many maximums, but it only put off the unavoidable.
Riaz Hassan got 34 runs, and Shahidullah got 37 runs.
When Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the third and final ODI of the series against Afghanistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, they set a goal of 269 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan made 67 runs and Babar Azam made 60 runs, giving Pakistan a total of 268-8 after 50 overs.
For the third wicket, Azam and Rizwan added 110 runs in 145 balls.
Mohammad Nawaz (30 off 25 balls) and Agha Salman (38 not out in 31 balls) gave the game a boost by scoring 61 runs in 47 balls together after the sixth wicket fell.
Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib and Fareed Ahmad both took two wickets.
