Pakistan’s return to the summit of the Men’s ODI Rankings was officially affirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday, a result of their decisive supremacy over Afghanistan in the series. Pakistan convincingly secured a 3-0 lead in the series, showcasing their cricketing prowess.
The journey to this achievement began with Pakistan’s resounding victory in the first ODI, where they outplayed Afghanistan with a significant margin of 142 runs. The exceptional performance of Pakistan’s bowling unit played a pivotal role in this triumph.
The second match of the series witnessed a nail-biting encounter, with Pakistan narrowly edging out a victory in the final over, with just one wicket remaining. This closely fought contest further highlighted Pakistan’s determination and skill.
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In the third game, Pakistan continued their dominant streak, clinching victory by a margin of 59 runs. The latter part of Pakistan’s batting innings proved crucial, allowing them to overcome challenges and post a competitive total of 268 runs. Key contributions from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, both scoring half-centuries, bolstered the team’s performance.
Pakistan’s bowlers proved to be a formidable force, with Faheem Ashraf making early breakthroughs by claiming two wickets. The spinners consistently chipped in with wickets, restricting Afghanistan’s progress. Although Mujeeb ur Rahman’s swift half-century displayed some resilience from Afghanistan’s side, it wasn’t enough to surmount Pakistan’s target.
Shadab Khan’s exceptional three-wicket haul further solidified Pakistan’s grip on the game, as they secured a clean sweep in the series. This remarkable achievement cements Pakistan’s status as a dominant force in ODI cricket and marks their successful journey back to the top of the rankings.
