Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI Highlights: Rizwan, Shadab Shine As Pakistan Beat Afghanistan By 59 Runs

The umpires are out on the field. The fielding team has taken their respective positions. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Riaz Hassan, the opening batters for Afghanistan walk out to bat. Shaheen Afridi has the new ball in his hand and is raring to go. Let's go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Pakistan will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. They are on course here to dish out a 3-0 hammering to Afghanistan. On the other hand, Afghanistan could not finish well with the ball and now need to bat out of their skins to avoid a whitewash. Can Rahmanullah Gurbaz repeat his heroics from the last game? We shall find out when we return in a bit for the chase.

As far as Afghanistan are concerned, the new ball pairing of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman set the tone for them and did not allow Pakistan to get off to a flying start. Coming in for his first game of the series, Gulbadin Naib was switched on from ball one and got rid of the two Pakistan openers in quick succession. In the middle overs, Rashid Khan, Fareed Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi kept things quiet as well and did not allow the opposition to release the pressure. Just when Rizwan and Babar were starting to shift momentum, the spin wizard Rashid Khan nipped out the Pakistan skipper which put a spring in the step for Afghanistan. Despite having Pakistan in a precarious position, Afghanistan were unable to wrap up the innings and Hashmatullah Shahidi will be hoping that it does not come back to haunt them.

A great fightback with the bat from Pakistan and they end up with 268 on the board! After Babar Azam called it right and opted to put runs on the board, Pakistan were off to a sedate start, scoring 34 runs in the first 8 overs. As a result of this start, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq felt the need to get a move on and lost their wickets in the process. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan then joined hands to do a rebuilding job for Pakistan. The duo could not find the fence much but were prepared to grind it out. With 20 overs remaining in the innings, Rizwan in particular upped the ante with a flick of the switch and brought up his fifty, and so did Babar. In no time, Pakistan lost four wickets to be reduced to 189-6. Agha Salman and Mohammad Nawaz joined hands and provided stability to the innings with handy knocks. Salman batted through and propelled his side to 268.

Short again and on off. Shaheen Afridi pulls it away through deep mid-wicket but to the fielder. The batters run two to end the innings. It seems as Rahmanullah Gurbaz is hurt.

Shaheen Afridi walks in now and will face the last delivery of the innings.

OUT! CAUGHT! Fareed Ahmad bowls this quick and short outside off. Faheem Ashraf tries to hit it down the ground but the timing is wrong. The bat turns in his hand as the ball goes straight up. Rahmanullah Gurbaz completes an easy catch behind the batter.

A slow short ball on middle. Agha Salman switches and hits it to point for a quick single.

Full again and way outside off. Agha Salman sweeps it to deep mid-wicket where there is a mis-field. The batters run two and Agha Salman survives a run out as he safely dives in the crease.

SIX! A low full toss outside off. Agha Salman has to improvise and he sweeps it over square leg. The ball has traveled the necessary distance to go all the way for a flat six over deep square leg.

Very full and way outside the tram lines on off. Agha Salman leaves it alone as the umpire signals a wide.

FOUR! Fuller and in the slot. Agha Salman just times it over cover and wide of long off. The fielder is very far away and the ball races away to the fence for a four to start the over.

Fareed Ahmad (9-0-54-1) will bowl the final over.

Very full and straight on middle and off. Faheem Ashraf digs it out to long on for a couple of runs to end the over.

Faheem Ashraf is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Fazalhaq Farooqi with the exact same ball full and on off. Mohammad Nawaz slices it again to deep point but this time it is Riaz Hassan in the deep. He takes a safe catch and Mohammad Nawaz has to depart as Fazalhaq Farooqi gets his man.

Dropped! Fullish and on the off pole. Mohammad Nawaz slices it off the deep point where Mujeeb Ur Rahman drops an easy catch. The batters get a couple of runs.

Beaten! Another quick ball on length and outside off. Mohammad Nawaz swings head but is beaten. The keeper appeals but it is turned down.

Quick,full and just outside off. Mohammad Nawaz swings and misses.