Pakistan v Afghanistan - One Day International – Match Update
Afghanistan 195 v Pakistan 198 - Pakistan won by 7 wickets (with 77 balls remaining)
On Friday, February 10, 2012 Pakistan beat Afghanistan in the one-off One Day International (ODI) between the two countries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by seven wickets after successfully chasing the required tally of 195 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
After winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bat first in a bid to post a daunting total against the Men in Green.
Openers, Karim Sadiq and Noor Ali Zadran gave their side a decent start of 23 runs, before Zadran was caught and bowled by Pakistan pacer Umar Gul after playing an cameo innings of nine runs.
Wicketkeeper/batsman, Mohammad Shahzad, then forged a potent partnership with Sadiq as the duo hammered the Pakistan bowlers in the Gulf state.
With 54 runs on the board, Afghanistan suffered the loss of their second wicket when Shahzad perished after smashing an innings of 20 runs.
Skipper, Nawroz Mangal, then failed to play a big innings as he departed after scoring only 11 runs. At the time of his demise, the side had amassed 71 runs on the board.
Sadiq, who was batting sensationally, was the next man removed by Pakistan as he faltered after smashing an innings of 40 runs. The batsman played a key role in helping his side craft aggressive batting against the might of Pakistan bowling.
Later, Mohammad Nabi and Samiullah Shenwari clobbered 37 and 32 runs to help their side amass 195 runs on the board.
With a meagre tally needed to win the match in 50 overs, Pakistan got off to an unexpected start as they lost their first wicket with only nine runs on the board as ace openers, Mohammad Hafeez, had his stumps shattered by Dawlat Zadran after scoring only eight runs.
His opening partner, Imran Farhat, who is seeking to make a permanent place in the playing eleven, gave a stupendous performance as he smashed 52 runs, while veteran batsman Younis Khan clobbered a well designed innings of 70 runs to help Pakistan reach the required target in 37.1 overs, for the loss of three wickets.
Pakistan ace all-rounder Shahid Afridi was named as the Player of the Match for wrecking havoc on Afghanistan by grabbing five wickets.