Webdesk: Pakistan won the toss and batted first against Afghanistan in the third and final ODI match on Saturday, setting a target of 269 runs.
Pakistan scored 268-8 in 50 overs. The Men in Green scored 50s from Mohammad Rizwan (67) and Babar Azam (60).
Pakistan has won the series 2-0 and will try to sweep in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where Afghanistan is hosting.
Pakistan would enjoy a clean sweep and surpass Australia in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI ranking if they win today.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam predicted a difficult first 10 overs before today’s match.
He remarked, “We will increase the pressure on the Afghan team by setting a huge target,” after four changes to the starting eleven.
He said Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. are replacing Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf today.
However, Afghanistan lost all-rounder Azmatullah Umarzai to side strain in the third ODI.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced that all-rounder Gulbadin Naib will replace Azmatullah.
The last match was a fierce battle between both teams.
Even when the contest seemed lost, the Men in Green continued their excellent play. However, Naseem Shah, who led Pakistan to a stunning victory over the same opposition in Asia Cup 2022, helped Pakistan score 11 runs off 6 balls in the penultimate over.
