In a commanding display of skill, Pakistan left a resounding mark on the opening match of the three-match series, triumphing over Afghanistan by a staggering margin of 142 runs. This impactful victory sets the stage for Pakistan’s impending participation in the forthcoming Asia Cup.

As anticipation builds for the upcoming Asia Cup, Pakistan delivered a formidable performance in the inaugural clash of the series, leaving Afghanistan in their wake with a remarkable 142-run win. Notably, the initial moments of the match did not favor the Men in Green, as both Fakhar Zaman and skipper Babar Azam struggled to find their footing. Despite his recent dazzling form in the Lanka Premier League, Babar Azam faced an early setback in the first ODI, failing to make his mark on the scorecard.

This hiccup brings Babar Azam’s tally of ducks in ODI cricket to four, including two during his tenure as captain. With this development, Babar Azam now shares the record for this feat with esteemed names such as Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Azhar Ali, and Younis Khan. On a contrasting note, Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman etched his name in history by becoming the first spinner to dismiss Babar for a duck.

Remarkably, Pakistan encountered minimal obstacles despite Babar Azam’s early exit. Opener Imam-ul-Haq set a solid foundation with a confident 61 runs off 94 deliveries, while the mid-innings duo of Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan took charge, steering Pakistan to a competitive total of 201 runs in the first innings.

Afghanistan’s trio of standout players—Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan—once again showcased their brilliance, instilling a boost of confidence in their ranks as they prepare for the impending mega tournament. However, it was Afghanistan’s batting that faltered significantly. The team, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, faced a formidable challenge from the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf in the second innings, ultimately capitulating for a mere 59 runs. The alarming statistic of nine players failing to achieve double-digit scores serves as a glaring cause for concern.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s batting line-up is poised for improvement as they gear up for two major tournaments. The Asia Cup campaign commences on August 30 against Nepal, followed by high-stakes clashes against India in Sri Lanka. Turning to the imminent ODI World Cup, Pakistan’s opening match is slated against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad.