World Cup 2019 Practice Match, Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Pakistan and Afghanistan clashed ahead of the World Cup. (Source: Pakistan Cricket Twitter)
Pakistan vs Afghanistan World Cup Practice Match Highlights: Ahead of their World Cup 2019 campaign, Afghanistan registered a stunning victory over Pakistan in a warm-up game that went all the way to the wire. Middle-order batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi played a pivotal role for Afghanistan by scoring an unbeaten 74 as his team chased down a below-par target of 263 set by Pakistan with a just a few balls to spare.
This is Pakistan’s eleven straight ODI defeat. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side will be hoping that recalls for out-of-sorts left-armer Mohammad Amir and 33-year old all-rounder Wahab Riaz can catalyse something of a resurgence for them as they seek to break their duck which has inconveniently come at the foot of cricket’s flagship tournament.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan skittled for 138 in a woeful batting display in Belfast as Ireland prevailed comfortably by 78 runs. That being said, with seven wins from their last 10 games in the 50-over format, the lowest ranked team in this World Cup will enter this game with plenty of confidence.
Afghanistan win the first warm-up match against Pakistan by three wickets. This is Pakistan's 11th consecutive defeat in ODI cricket.
Afghanistan's Hashmatullah Shahidi slams half-century, takes his side past 200. Hashmatullah has reached his 50 and Nabi is providing the finishing touches.
Afghanistan have crossed the 200-run mark with loss of four wickets. Hashmatullah Shahidi is close to reaching a half-century.
WICKET! Pakistan get their third wicket as Shinwari is out for 22 after a couple of dot balls. Pakistan need more wickets in order to win this one. AFG are 177/3 after 32 overs
Afghanistan are consistently moving closer to their target, have crossed 150-run mark within 28 overs and with a loss of just two wickets.
OUT! Wahab Riaz gets the much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan as Rahmat departs for 32. AFG are 120/2 after 20 overs
Afghanistan cross the 100-run mark with loss of only one wicket. 163 more to go with 32 overs left!
Hazratullah Zazai denied half-century after giving Afghanistan a good start. Zazai falls for 49 off 28 balls. Shadab with the breakthrough as AFG are 82/1 after 12 overs
Shahzad, who was limping after taking a shot, seemed to have hurt himself. He got attended by a physio but walked off the field in the very next over. Hope he is fine. AFG cross the 50-run mark after seven overs
Tremendous batting from Hazratullah Zazai, who slams 5 boundaries off the over. Afghanistan off to a good start, they are 35/0 after four overs.
Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai come out to open for Afghanistan, who chase 263. Mohammad Shahzad is on strike. Amir will open the attack
Afghanistan bowl out Pakistan for 262 in their first warm-up match. Babar Azam slammed a century but will his efforts go to waste? Afghanistan chase 263.
Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan depart in quick succession after Azam's dismissal. Pakistan failing to put up a big number, as batsmen struggle. PAK are 262/9 after 47.4 overs.
Babar Azam departs after slamming 112; Pakistan reach 252/7 in 46 overs. Azam fails to give much power to that shot as Dawlat Zadran takes an easy catch. Big wicket for Afghanistan!
Babar Azam continues good form and slams a century off 99 balls, helping Pakistan keep their innings together after a shaky start PAK are 232/6 with 7 overs remaining.
OUT! Good work by Shahzad behind the stumps as Sarfaraz departs for 13. The keeper spotted it and whipped the bails off in a flash. Pakistan 220/6 in 40.3 overs
Pakistan have crossed the 150-run mark in 30 overs with a loss of four wickets.
While the other Pakistani batsmen struggled, Babar Azam completes his half-century off 52 balls. PAK are 121/4 after 25 overs
OUT! Rahmat Shah manages to hold on to the catch as Hafeez departs for 12. Rashid Khan claims his first as PAK are 102/4 after 21 overs.
Pakistan cross the 100-run mark in the first 20 overs with a loss of three wickets. Babar Azam seems to be the only Pakistani batsmen to be handling spin today, he has moved to 30 from 38 balls.