AFG vs PAK: Netizens in awe of Afghanistan openers' double century stand as they put hosts in boxseat against Pakistan

Pakistan annihilated Afghanistan in the first ODI but Hashmatullah Shahidi's side has come back strongly in the second ODI.

By Adreej Kumar Mitra

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3 Min Read

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran
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Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Afghanistan would have been confident of giving Pakistan a run for their money in the ongoing three-match series after pulling off the rare feat of defeating Bangladesh at their home, earlier this year. In the first ODI in Hambantota, the Afghan bowlers were on the money as they dismissed Pakistan for 201. However, the batters couldn't put up a fight against arguably the best pace-bowling attack in the world. Hashmatullah Shahidi's men were skittled out for 59 as Pakistan won by 142 runs.

After the shambolic defeat, Afghanistan had to show tremendous character to pick themselves up and start afresh in the second ODI on Thursday, August 24. Captain Shahidi won the toss and opted to bat first. His openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran backed up his decision with a record-breaking 227-run partnership.

The wicketkeeper-batter was at his flamboyant best while Zadran was happy to play second fiddle. In the 40th over, the latter was dismissed for a well-compiled knock of 80 in 101 balls. He hit six fours and two sixes in his innings. Their 227-run partnership was the second-highest for the first wicket against the 'Men in Green'.

Gurbaz surpasses MS Dhoni for the highest individual score versus Pakistan in ODIs 

Gurbaz, who is a naturally aggressive batter, took the attack to the Pakistani bowlers and notched up his fifth ODI hundred. He broke a few records during his innings of 151 in as many balls. The right-handed batter surpassed MS Dhoni's score of 148, which was the highest for a wicketkeeper versus Pakistan in ODIs.

The 21-year-old also became the first centurion for Afghanistan against Pakistan. Gurbaz's innings comprised 14 fours and three sixes, respectively. The memorable knocks from Gurbaz and Zadran helped Afghanistan set a challenging target of 301 for Babar Azam's men.

Here’s how 'X' users reacted to Gurbaz and Zadran's mammoth double-ton opening stand:

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