Pakistan whitewash Afghanistan 3-0 to top ODI rankings

Pakistan claimed the number one spot in the one-day international rankings after securing a 59-run victory against Afghanistan in the third and final match held in Colombo on a Saturday. This win marked a decisive 3-0 series whitewash for Pakistan.

Pakistan posted a total of 268-8 in their allotted 50 overs, courtesy of a solid 79-ball 67 by Mohammad Rizwan and a patient 86-ball 60 by their skipper, Babar Azam.

In response, Pakistan's bowlers dismissed Afghanistan for 209 in 48.4 overs. Notably, Afghanistan's number nine batsman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, played a heroic innings, scoring a maiden half-century with a brisk 37-ball 64. Rahman set a new Afghan record for the fastest ODI fifty, achieving it in just 26 balls. However, his innings was cut short when he accidentally stepped on his stumps, resulting in a hit-wicket dismissal off Shaheen Shah Afridi. The previous record was held by Rashid Khan, who reached a fifty in 27 balls against Ireland in Abu Dhabi last year.

Rahman and Shahidullah Kamal (37 off 65 balls) put on a valiant stand of 57 runs for the eighth wicket, providing some respectability to Afghanistan's total after they had been struggling at 97-7. Rahman also contributed 45 runs for the ninth wicket with Fareed Ahmad Malik, who scored 17.

Pakistan had previously won the first match by 142 runs and the second by just one wicket, both matches played in Hambantota. This 3-0 series win propelled Pakistan to the top of the International Cricket Council ODI rankings, surpassing Australia. Pakistan had briefly held the number one spot earlier in the year.

Despite making four changes and resting frontline bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, Pakistan's bowlers delivered a commendable performance. Spinners Shadab Khan (3-42) and Mohammad Nawaz (2-45) took five wickets between them.

Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam, expressed his joy at becoming the number one team, saying, "Yes, we are number one. All credit to the boys. We have worked hard for the last couple of months, and it has taken us to this point, so I am really happy."

Afghanistan's captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, acknowledged his team's subpar performance, stating, "We didn't apply ourselves. We are disappointed with the performance but there is a lot of learning."

Rizwan and Azam were the pillars of Pakistan's innings after they won the toss and chose to bat. Rizwan hit six boundaries and a six, while Azam struck four boundaries and a six to guide Pakistan to a competitive total. The Rizwan-Azam partnership added 110 runs for the third wicket, stabilizing the innings after the early dismissals of openers Fakhar Zaman (27) and Imam-ul-Haq (13). Pakistan faced a middle-order hiccup, losing four wickets for just 27 runs, including Azam's wicket, who notched his 28th half-century. Saud Shakeel was run out for nine, and Shadab managed only three, leaving Pakistan struggling at 189-6. Agha Salman (38 not out) and Nawaz (30) then combined for a 61-run partnership for the seventh wicket, helping Pakistan add 80 runs in the last ten overs. Salman's quickfire knock included four boundaries and a six in just 31 balls. Gulbadin Naib was Afghanistan's top bowler, finishing with figures of 2-36.

Both teams will now participate in the six-nation Asia Cup, set to begin in Multan on August 30th.