The much-anticipated T20I series between Pakistan vs Afghanistan got off to a thrilling start as Pakistan clinched a comprehensive 39-run victory in the first T20 International. Played under lights, the contest showcased moments of brilliance with both bat and ball, but it was Pakistan’s bowling, led by the fiery Haris Rauf, that proved to be the unique.
Pakistan Set a Competitive Total
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan faced early setbacks but managed to recover with contributions from their middle order. The top order was unable to deliver a flying start, with Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers tightening the screws early on. However, the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam steadied the innings with a calculated partnership. Their focus was on rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The real acceleration came in the final overs, thanks to explosive hitting from Pakistan’s lower middle order. Players like Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan played crucial cameos, ensuring that Pakistan reached a competitive total of 160+ runs on the board. Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Rashid Khan, bowled with guile and variation, but Pakistan’s batsmen managed to negate his threat by avoiding risky strokes against him.
Afghanistan’s Chase Falters Early
Chasing 160 was never going to be easy against Pakistan’s high-quality pace attack, and Afghanistan found themselves under pressure right from the start. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah set the tone with disciplined spells, extracting movement and bounce from the surface. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran struggled to get going, with Afridi’s pace causing constant problems.
The early breakthrough came courtesy of Shaheen, dismissing Gurbaz cheaply. From there, Afghanistan’s innings lost momentum. Although Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi attempted to rebuild with some resistance in the middle overs, Pakistan’s bowlers never allowed the run rate to drop below their control. The asking rate steadily climbed, and Afghanistan were left with too much to do in the latter half of their chase.
Haris Rauf’s Game-Changing Spell
The standout moment of the match came from Haris Rauf, who delivered a fiery spell of fast bowling that dismantled Afghanistan’s middle and lower order. Clocking speeds in excess of 145 kmph, Rauf mixed up his deliveries with yorkers, slower balls, and short-pitched deliveries, leaving the Afghan batters guessing.
Rauf picked up four crucial wickets, breaking Afghanistan’s backbone just when they were looking to accelerate. His victims included experienced campaigners like Nabi and Rashid Khan, both of whom could have changed the game’s complexion if they had stayed longer at the crease.
His figures of 4 wickets for under 20 runs highlighted his dominance and ensured Pakistan stayed ahead in the contest. With such a performance, Rauf reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most dangerous T20 bowlers in the world.
Pakistan Seal Victory by 39 Runs
Once Rauf had done the damage, Afghanistan’s tailenders had little chance of staging a comeback. They eventually folded well short of the target, finishing nearly 40 runs behind Pakistan. The final margin of victory, 39 runs, was a testament to the control Pakistan’s bowlers exerted throughout the innings.
For Afghanistan, it was a disappointing outing with the bat, as they failed to build partnerships or counter Pakistan’s pace battery. Their bowlers had given them a fighting chance earlier in the game, but their batting lineup could not capitalize on the opportunity.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Haris Rauf’s Brilliance – His four-wicket haul was the decisive factor. Pakistan will look to him as a strike weapon throughout the series.
- Balanced Pakistan Attack – With Afridi, Naseem, and Rauf firing in tandem, Pakistan’s pace unit looked nearly unplayable. Shadab Khan also chipped in with crucial control in the middle overs.
- Afghanistan’s Batting Woes – Despite having talented players, Afghanistan’s inability to handle express pace cost them dearly. Improving their batting against high-quality pace will be a priority in the remaining games.
- Middle-Order Firepower for Pakistan – Quick runs from the likes of Iftikhar Ahmed ensured Pakistan had enough on the board, a promising sign for the team.
scoreboard
Pakistan: 162/7 (20 overs)
Babar Azam 35, Rizwan 27, Iftikhar 25
Rashid Khan 2/22, Farooqi 2/30
Afghanistan: 123 all out (19 overs)
Najibullah 27, Nabi 20
Haris Rauf 4/18, Shaheen 2/26
Result: Pakistan won by 39 runs
Player of the Match: Haris Rauf