Akmal reached his 19th ODI fifty in 60 balls with the help of a six and two boundaries.
Earlier, Pakistan were in deep trouble as they lost Ahmed Shehzad, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, Sohaib Maqsood and dangerman Shahid Afridi in quick succession.
Pakistan were struggling at 117/6 in the 30th over. Samiullah Shenwari picked up his second when he dismissed Sohaib Maqsood to give Pakistan big blow.
Samiullah Shenwari got rid of opener Ahmed Shehzad while Misbah got run out in the very next ball. Mirwais Ashraf gave Afghanistan second breakthrough as he dismissed Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez.
Hamza Hotak gave Afghanistan first breakthrough after he dismissed Pakistani opener Sharjeel Khan.
The opening duo of Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad gave Pakistan solid start as they added a fine 50-run partnership.
Earlier, Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and decided to field first against Pakistan. Afghan skipper Mohammad Nabi said: "It's a big experience for the team and they will try their best in the tournament".
Pakistan made one change in their playing eleven as they drafted in Anwar Ali in place of Bilawal Bhatti.
This is the first time Afghanistan have played in the competition. They lost the only one-day international they played against Pakistan, in Sharjah in February 2012.
Mohammad Nabi's Afghanistan was brought into the Asia Cup after it qualified for the 50-over World Cup scheduled next year.
Teams:
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan
Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi (Captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Noor Ali Zadran, Asghar Stanikzai, Nawroz Mangal, Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran, Mirwais Ashraf, Hamza Hotak, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran
0 comments:
Post a Comment