The ICC World Cup 2019 saw its first day of warmup matches begin with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan in Bristol and Sri Lanka taking on South Africa at Cardiff. The match at Bristol ended up getting really close and perhaps was a good start for both teams.
Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Imam-Ul-Haq (32) and Fakhar Zaman (19) added 47 runs for the first wicket. But then Mohammad Nabi removed Fakhar and Haris Sohail (1), while Rashid took the wicket of Mohd. Hafeez for 12 runs.
Then Babar Azam (112 in 108 balls) and Shoaib Malik (44 in 59 balls) added 103 runs for the fifth wicket to set up Pakistan for a big score. But Nabi (3/46), Dawlat Zadran (2/37) and Rashid Khan (2/27) kept Pakistan to just 262 in 47.5 overs.
In the chase, Hazratullah Zazai went after the bowling, scoring 49 runs in just 28 balls before Shadab Khan had him caught by Malik. In a case of concern for Afghan team, Mohammad Shahzad (23) retired hurt after discomfort in his knee while batting. Rahmat Shah made 32, while Hasmatullah Shahidi anchored the innings till the last.
Samiullah Shinwari made 22, Nabi made 34, while former captain Asghar Afghan made 7, while new captain Gulbadin Naib made 2. Imad Wasim picked 2/29 in middle overs, while Wahab Riaz (3/46) came back in the death to pick three wickets. Shaheen Afridi was a disappointment with 0/51 in his 6 overs.
In the end, Shahidi (74*) led the Afghan team to an amazing win by 3 wickets in the last over.
BRIEF SCORES:
PAK 262 (B AZAM 112; M NABI 3/46) lost to AFG 263/7 (H SHAHIDI 74*; W RIAZ 3/46) by 3 wickets
