Reigning champions Pakistan defeated newcomers Afghanistan by 72 runs in their match of the Asia Cup at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Thursday. Sent into bat first, Pakistan made 248 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then they bundled out Afghanistan for 176 off 47.2 overs.Noor Ali Zadran, Asghar Stanikzai and Nawroz Mangal scored 44, 40 and 35 runs respectively.Mohammad Hafeez captured three wickets at the cost of 29 runs while Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul claimed two wickets each for 25 and 44 runs respectively.Earlier, Umar Akmal steered Pakistan to score a modest total.Pakistan made a decent start making 55 for the loss of one wicket.But later, they faced disaster as the reigning champions lost their six wickets for 117 runs.Then Umar Akmal and Anwar Ali built a notable partnership. Umar Akmal and Anwar Ali added 60 runs in the seventh wicket stand before Anwar Ali was caught by Nawroz Mangal off Mirwais Ashraf when Pakistan’s score was 177 for the loss of seven wickets.Wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal remained unbeaten with 102. His 89-ball innings was decorated with seven boundaries and three over boundaries.It was Umar Akmal’s second ODI century. Umar Akmal reached his 100-run landmark playing 88 deliveries.Opener Ahmed Shehzad earned respect from Afghan bowlers hitting exact 50. His 74-ball knock was laced with seven fours. It was Shehzad’s sixth ODI half century.Besides, Sharjeel Khan and Anwar Ali added 25 and 21 runs respectively to the Pakistan total.Mirwais Ashraf, Samiullah Shenwari and Dawlat Zadran bagged a pair of wickets each for 29, 34 and 73 runs respectively.
