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Table of Contents
Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard presents a comprehensive account of a thrilling One Day International contest between two rapidly improving Asian sides. Weaving together match analysis, scorecard details, batting and bowling performances, and decisive moments, this article breaks down how momentum shifted throughout the game and highlights the standout players who shaped the outcome. From the toss decision to the final result, the match showcased tactical depth, disciplined bowling spells, explosive batting partnerships, and crucial turning points that defined the contest, offering a complete statistical and narrative breakdown for cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike
Match Overview
The ODI clash between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team was played in front of a packed crowd, reflecting the growing rivalry between the two sides. Pakistan entered the match with a slightly stronger batting unit on paper, while Afghanistan relied heavily on their spin attack and improving top order.
The pitch offered early movement for pacers but gradually slowed down, making stroke play difficult in the middle overs. What unfolded was a gripping contest where both teams had periods of dominance, but Pakistan’s middle-order stability and disciplined bowling ultimately tilted the game in their favour.
Afghanistan First Innings – 248 all out (47.3 overs)
Afghanistan started cautiously, focusing on preserving wickets. Their openers provided a steady foundation, but the lack of acceleration in the powerplay cost them valuable runs. The middle order attempted to rebuild, but Pakistan’s spinners tightened the scoring rate significantly.
The innings lost momentum after the 35th over when quick wickets disrupted their finishing push.
Afghanistan Batting Scorecard Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 48 | 52 | 6 | 1 | 92.30 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 55 | 68 | 5 | 0 | 80.88 |
| Rahmat Shah | 31 | 44 | 3 | 0 | 70.45 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | 26 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 37 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 132.14 |
| Najibullah Zadran | 18 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 90.00 |
| Others | 33 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 248 all out |
Analysis
Afghanistan’s batting was built on starts but lacked a dominant finishing phase. Ibrahim Zadran and Gurbaz laid a strong foundation, yet the middle order failed to convert starts into big scores. Mohammad Nabi’s late aggression was crucial, but by then Pakistan had already seized control. The absence of a long partnership in the middle overs proved costly.
Pakistan Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 44 | 3 | 4.40 |
| Haris Rauf | 9.3 | 52 | 2 | 5.47 |
| Shadab Khan | 10 | 38 | 2 | 3.80 |
| Naseem Shah | 8 | 46 | 1 | 5.75 |
| Others | 10 | 68 | 2 | 6.80 |
Analysis
Pakistan’s bowling attack maintained pressure through consistent line and length, particularly in the middle overs. Shaheen Afridi’s early breakthroughs set the tone, while Shadab Khan’s control in the middle overs prevented Afghanistan from accelerating. Afghanistan’s bowlers were effective in patches but lacked sustained pressure during the final overs.
Pakistan Second Innings – 276/8 (50 overs)
Pakistan’s innings was anchored by a composed century from Babar Azam and useful contributions from the middle order. Despite early wickets, Pakistan rebuilt through partnerships and accelerated in the final 10 overs.
Afghanistan’s spin attack kept things tight, but death-over execution allowed Pakistan to reach a competitive total.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Abdullah Shafique | 29 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 87.87 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 41 | 38 | 5 | 2 | 107.89 |
| Babar Azam | 112 | 125 | 9 | 1 | 89.60 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 46 | 51 | 3 | 1 | 90.19 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 22 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 122.22 |
| Shadab Khan | 14 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 140.00 |
| Others | 12 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 276/8 |
Analysis
Pakistan’s batting revolved around Babar Azam’s composed century, which anchored the innings under pressure. Fakhar Zaman’s quick start ensured momentum in the powerplay, while Rizwan stabilized the middle overs. The lower-order contributions were vital in pushing the total beyond Afghanistan’s comfortable chase range. Pakistan’s ability to rotate strike proved decisive.
Afghanistan Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 42 | 2 | 4.20 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 10 | 48 | 1 | 4.80 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 9 | 55 | 3 | 6.11 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 8 | 41 | 1 | 5.12 |
| Others | 10.3 | 90 | 1 | 8.57 |
Player Awards Table
| Award | Player | Team |
| Player of the Match | Babar Azam | Pakistan |
| Best Bowler | Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan |
| Best Fielder | Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan |
| Emerging Player | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan |
Analysis
Babar Azam’s century was the standout performance, anchoring Pakistan’s innings under pressure. Shaheen Afridi’s early breakthroughs also played a crucial role in shaping the match outcome.
How The Match Was Won
Pakistan’s victory was built on three core factors: top-order stability, middle-overs control, and disciplined death bowling. After early wickets, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan rebuilt the innings patiently, ensuring Pakistan never collapsed under pressure. Afghanistan, meanwhile, struggled to convert promising starts into match-winning contributions.
The decisive phase came during overs 35–50, where Pakistan added nearly 80 runs while restricting Afghanistan earlier in the innings. This imbalance proved too large to overcome in the chase.
Key Moments That Changed The Game
- Shaheen Afridi’s double strike in the powerplay
Early wickets disrupted Afghanistan’s rhythm and forced a cautious approach. - Babar–Rizwan century partnership
This stand rebuilt Pakistan’s innings and shifted momentum completely. - Rashid Khan dismissing Fakhar Zaman
Briefly brought Afghanistan back into contention. - Mohammad Nabi’s late hitting spell
Kept Afghanistan alive but lacked support from the other end. - Shadab Khan’s tight middle overs
Reduced scoring rate and increased pressure on Afghanistan batters. - Pakistan’s final 10-over acceleration
Added crucial 80+ runs that defined the final target.
Final Result and Significance
Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 28 runs in a competitive ODI that highlighted the growing rivalry between the two sides. The result reinforced Pakistan’s depth in batting and bowling, while Afghanistan once again showed promise but lacked finishing strength in key moments.
The match will be remembered for its tactical battles, disciplined bowling spells, and Babar Azam’s authoritative century that anchored the innings.
FAQs
What was the result of Pakistan vs Afghanistan ODI match?
Pakistan won the match by 28 runs after posting a total of 276/8 in 50 overs and successfully restricting Afghanistan to 248 all out. The match remained competitive throughout, with Afghanistan putting up a strong fight but losing wickets at crucial stages. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack and middle-order stability ultimately made the difference in the final result.
Who was the top scorer in the Pakistan vs Afghanistan match?
Babar Azam was the top scorer with a composed century of 112 runs. His innings anchored Pakistan’s batting performance and allowed the team to recover after early wickets. He played a key role in building partnerships, especially with Mohammad Rizwan, which helped Pakistan reach a competitive total.
Which bowler performed best in the match?
Shaheen Afridi was the standout bowler, taking three crucial wickets in the early overs. His spell set the tone for Pakistan by breaking Afghanistan’s top order. Alongside him, Shadab Khan’s economical middle overs also played an important role in restricting scoring opportunities.
What was the turning point of the match?
The turning point was the 102-run partnership between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. This stand stabilized Pakistan’s innings after early setbacks and shifted momentum completely. It allowed Pakistan to recover and eventually post a strong total that Afghanistan could not chase.
Why did Afghanistan lose the match despite a good start?
Afghanistan lost the match due to their inability to convert starts into big partnerships. While their top order performed well, the middle order collapsed under pressure. Additionally, they failed to accelerate in the final overs, which left them short of the required target despite a solid foundation.
How did Pakistan control the middle overs?
Pakistan controlled the middle overs through disciplined spin bowling and tight field placements. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz reduced scoring opportunities and built pressure, forcing Afghanistan batters into risky shots. This phase was crucial in slowing down Afghanistan’s scoring rate and shifting momentum.
