Pakistan vs Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, 1st ODI Live Score and ...

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Pakistan vs Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, 1st ODI Live Score and Updates from Hambantota: Both teams look to get their Asia Cup preparations off to a great start as they lock horns in the first match of the series in Sri Lanka.

16:54 IST:

25.5: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, 1 run.

16:53 IST:

25.4: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, 1 run.

16:53 IST:

25.3: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Sliding down leg. Imam-ul-Haq nudges it to mid-wicket for a run.

16:52 IST:

25.2: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam-ul-Haq gets on his front foot and defends it back to the bowler.

16:52 IST:

25.1: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Flatter, around off, coming in with the arm. Imam-ul-Haq opens the face late and steers it down to deep third. The batters take two runs and also 100 is up for Pakistan.

16:51 IST:

24.6: Abdul Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Abdul Rahman dishes a length ball, down the leg side. Imam-ul-Haq tucks it behind square on the leg side, along the ground. The batters take a single. Pakistan now one run short of 100, and boy they hard to work hard for the same.

16:50 IST:

24.5: Abdul Rahman to Iftikhar Ahmed, Good length, around off. Ahmed taps it into covers and scampers across for a quick single.

16:49 IST:

24.4: Abdul Rahman to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! Short and punished. Back of a length, wide of off. Iftikhar Ahmed frees his arms this time and cuts it over backward point. A couple of bounces and over the ropes.

16:49 IST:

24.3: Abdul Rahman to Iftikhar Ahmed, On a length, on fourth stump. Iftikhar Ahmed knocks it into covers.

16:48 IST:

24.2: Abdul Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Pace-on delivery, length, sliding down leg. Imam-ul-Haq nudges it to the left of the keeper and gets to the other end.

16:47 IST:

24.1: Abdul Rahman to Iftikhar Ahmed, Back of a length, outside off. Iftikhar Ahmed hops inside the crease and cuts it through cover-point for a single.

16:46 IST:

23.6: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Fuller, coming in with the arm. Imam-ul-Haq knocks it to mid off.

16:45 IST:

23.5: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, A single now as this is pushed out to safety.

16:45 IST:

23.4: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, EDGED BUT SAFE! Some luck now for Imam-ul-Haq. It is tossed up, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq uses hit feet, he swings hard and catches the outside edge. The ball goes high in the air, it travels over covers. Hashmatullah Shahidi runs after it but is unable to get a hold of it. One taken.

16:44 IST:

23.3: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Slower one, on the pads. Ahmed tucks it to square leg for another single.

16:44 IST:

23.2: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam-ul-Haq steps out of the crease now and pushes this full ball towards long off. They cross for a single.

16:43 IST:

23.1: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed knocks this full ball to long on for one.

16:42 IST:

22.6: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam-ul-Haq presses forward to this full one and defends it into the deck.

16:42 IST:

22.5: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, A legspinner, on middle. Imam-ul-Haq prods to defend but gets beaten. He takes a blow on his pads, which is followed by a stifled appeal but nothing doing.

16:42 IST:

22.4: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, A single now as this is played down the park.

16:42 IST:

22.3: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Floated and full, on off. Ahmed pushes it out.

16:42 IST:

22.2: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, On off, blocked.

16:41 IST:

22.1: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Short ball, on the pads. Ahmed clips it through mid-wicket for a brace.

16:39 IST:

21.6: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam-ul-Haq presses forward to this full ball and blocks it into the deck. It is an arm ball, some change in angle, as he comes around the wicket.

16:38 IST:

21.5: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Quicker and fuller, on off. Ahmed pushes it to long on for a single.

16:38 IST:

21.4: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Another single now as this is pushed to point.

16:37 IST:

21.3: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Ahmed uses his feet now, he flicks this full ball to long on for a single. He moves to double figures with this.

16:37 IST:

21.2: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Flatter, on off. Ahmed helps it back to the bowler.

16:37 IST:

21.1: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Full, outside off, turning away. Iftikhar Ahmed dabs it out.

16:36 IST:

20.6: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Around off. Imam-ul-Haq defends it out solidly.

16:35 IST:

20.5: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, On off, blocked.

16:35 IST:

20.4: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Floats it up, down the leg side, it brushes the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz grabs it and puts in a loud appeal for Caught behind. The umpire is unmoved.

16:35 IST:

20.3: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up, on off. Ahmed gets it to mid on off the toe-end. One taken.

16:35 IST:

20.2: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Flatter and on off. Ahmed blocks it back to the bowler.

16:34 IST:

20.1: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! Short, wide of off. Iftikhar Ahmed stays back and crunches it through point for four runs.

16:32 IST:

19.6: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Full and around off, angling in. Imam-ul-Haq defends it out.

16:32 IST:

19.5: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, This is well outside off, it is punched through covers for one more. 

16:32 IST:

19.4: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up on middle, Ahmed prods and blocks it out.

16:31 IST:

19.3: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, This one skids on, around off. Ahmed is happy to block.

16:31 IST:

19.2: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Slanting around off. Imam-ul-Haq turns it to deep square leg for a single.

16:31 IST:

19.1: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Arm ball on middle, it stays low off the deck. Imam-ul-Haq blocks.

16:30 IST:

18.6: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Shorter, quicker and on off. Ahmed rocks back and defends it out.

16:29 IST:

18.5: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Full and on middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket for a single.

16:29 IST:

18.4: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, FOUR! WELCOME BOUNDARY! A boundary after ages for Pakistan! A googly on the pads. Imam-ul-Haq helps it down to fine leg and it races to the fence.

16:28 IST:

18.3: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Angling on the pads. Imam-ul-Haq keeps it out.

16:28 IST:

18.3: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Wide! This is well down the leg side, Imam-ul-Haq seems to miss his clip. The keeper though juggles the ball before eventually catching it. He appeals but just a wide.

16:28 IST:

18.2: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Flighted, full and outside off, Ahmed knocks it through covers for a single.

16:27 IST:

18.1: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Too full and around off. Imam-ul-Haq drives it down to long off for a single.

16:26 IST:

17.6: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Too full, quicker and on off. Ahmed blocks it out.

16:26 IST:

17.5: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, On middle, Ahmed mistimes his push to long on for a single.

16:25 IST:

17.4: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, This is full and around off, Ahmed works it to square leg for a single.

16:25 IST:

17.3: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Flat and slanting on middle, Ahmed turns it to square leg.

16:25 IST:

17.2: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, On off, this is defended out.

16:24 IST:

17.1: Mohammad Nabi to Iftikhar Ahmed, Full and on middle, blocked.

16:23 IST:

16.6: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Flatter and around off, Imam-Ul-Haq punches it to point. 

16:23 IST:

16.5: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Ahmed is off the mark! Around off, this is pushed past point for a single.

16:23 IST:

16.4: Rashid Khan to Iftikhar Ahmed, Flat and on middle, Ahmed goes back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

16:22 IST:

Iftikhar Ahmed walks out to the middle.

16:20 IST:

16.3: Rashid Khan to Agha Salman, OUT! LBW! First over, first wicket for Rashid Khan! The magician is back at work. This is flat and lands outside off, the googly but Salman fails to read. He takes a big stride forward to defend across but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and up goes the finger. Agha Salman was struggling in the middle.

16:20 IST:

16.2: Rashid Khan to Agha Salman, Flatter and around off. Salman strokes it to cover.

16:19 IST:

16.1: Rashid Khan to Imam-ul-Haq, Tossed up on middle, it is hit to long on for a single.

16:19 IST:

Rashid Khan to roll his arm now.

16:18 IST:

15.6: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Just two runs off this over. Angling on middle, Salman looks to heave but gets a leading edge which rolls to mid off.

16:17 IST:

15.5: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, Angling on the pads, Imam-Ul-Haq works it to deep square leg for a single.

16:17 IST:

15.4: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Slower in the air, full on middle, this is clipped to square leg for one.

16:16 IST:

15.3: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Too full and on middle, Salman defends on the front foot.

16:16 IST:

15.2: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Full and on off, Salman turns it to mid-wicket.

16:16 IST:

15.1: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Flat and on middle, blocked out.

16:15 IST:

Drinks Break! A wonderful start by Afghanistan! They have started the series with a bang keeping Pakistan absolutely quiet here. Mujeeb Ur Rahman have done wonders and if Rashid Khan bowls something similar in the middle phase, Afghanistan will be in full control. Pakistan need this partnership to blossom badly. 

16:12 IST:

14.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Five dots then! Omarzai is so disciplined here. Length and on off. Imam-Ul-Haq pushes it to mid off. 

16:12 IST:

14.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Make it four now. Drops it short and around leg. Imam-Ul-Haq sits under it.

16:11 IST:

14.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Three dots in a row! Pressure building on Pakistan here. On a length and on middle, Imam-Ul-Haq makes a solid block.

16:10 IST:

14.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai targets the stumps again. On middle, Imam-Ul-Haq works it to mid off.

16:10 IST:

14.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Fuller ball on off, Imam-Ul-Haq splices his drive to point. Another dot.

16:10 IST:

14.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, Outside off, this is guided to third man for a single.

16:08 IST:

13.6: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, A misfield and a single is taken! Full and on middle, Salman nudges it to the left of mid-wicket who gets low but allows the ball to roll through his hands.

16:08 IST:

13.5: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Pushes it full and on middle, Salman drills it back to the bowler.

16:08 IST:

13.4: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, On middle, this is hit to square leg for another single.

16:07 IST:

13.3: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Tossed up on off, Salman eases it to long on for a single.

16:07 IST:

13.2: Mohammad Nabi to Agha Salman, Fuller ball, outside off, Salman pushes it to cover.

16:06 IST:

13.1: Mohammad Nabi to Imam-ul-Haq, An arm ball on middle, Imam-Ul-Haq bunts it to square leg for one.

16:06 IST:

Mohammad Nabi to bowl now.

16:05 IST:

12.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, Excellent over from Azmatullah Omarzai! Afghanistan continue to keep things under control! Length and outside off. Salman hits it to square leg.

16:04 IST:

12.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, Good-length delivery, outside off, Salman knocks it to point.

16:03 IST:

12.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, Yet another dot! Third one in a row! A length ball on off. Salman defends it out.

16:03 IST:

12.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, Short in length and on middle, Salman turns it to mid on.

16:02 IST:

12.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, On a length and on middle, Salman makes a solid block.

16:02 IST:

12.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, JUST ONE! Length and on middle, Imam-Ul-Haq plays it to square leg for one.

16:01 IST:

11.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, Yet another tidy over from Mujeeb Ur Rahman! Flat and on middle, Salman tucks it to mid-wicket.

16:00 IST:

11.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, Goes full and angling on middle, Salman defends on the front foot.

16:00 IST:

11.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Quicker delivery on the pads. Imam-Ul-Haq flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

15:59 IST:

11.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Floated, full and outside off. Imam-Ul-Haq knocks it to covers.

15:59 IST:

11.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, Pakistan are happy with the singles at the moment. On middle, Salman works it to long on for one.

15:59 IST:

11.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Tossed up, around off, Imam-Ul-Haq steps across and flicks it to mid-wicket for one more.

15:57 IST:

10.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, Goes full and around off. Salman prods and blocks it out. 

15:57 IST:

10.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, Hard-length ball, outside off. Salman flashes it but straight to the man at point.

15:56 IST:

10.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Keeps it short and on off. Imam-Ul-Haq taps it in front of covers and races to the other end. 

15:56 IST:

10.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Wide! Goes for a bumper but serves it well over the head of Imam. Wided.

15:55 IST:

10.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Agha Salman, A length ball on middle, nips in slightly. Salman helps it behind square leg for a single.

15:54 IST:

10.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, Short in length and on middle, Imam nudges it to square leg for a single.

15:54 IST:

10.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Imam-ul-Haq, On a length and on middle, Imam tucks it to mid-wicket.

15:56 IST:

Powerplay 1 comes to an end! Now, 4 fielders can be placed outside the inner circle. Also, time for first change for Afghanistan as Azmatullah Omarzai now comes into the attack.

15:54 IST:

9.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, DROPPED! Mujeeb Ur Rahman could've picked up his third wicket here. Hands on heads movement. Rashid Khan cannot believe how this one lands short. It is tossed up, around off. Agha Salman tries to flick it away but it catches the leading edge and flies towards the bowler, but as it played with soft hands, the ball does not reach the bowler and dies just in front of him. Mujeeb Ur Rahman could've done something with his approach to catch the ball, but he could not really show his reflexes.

15:52 IST:

9.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, WIDE! Short, sliding down leg. Wide called.

15:52 IST:

9.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Flatter, on off. Imam-ul-Haq goes back and tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. The boundaries have certainly dried up since Mohammad Rizwan's departure.

15:51 IST:

9.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! The umpire now signals a wide as the ball goes down the leg side.

15:51 IST:

9.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, Agha Salman now flicks this full ball towards the cow corner region for one run.

15:51 IST:

9.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, Bit too full, outside off. Salman drives it into covers.

15:50 IST:

9.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, On the pads, nudged to mid-wicket for one.

15:50 IST:

9.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes 'round the wicket and serves an arm ball, on off. Imam-ul-Haq eases it to mid on.

15:49 IST:

8.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Agha Salman, Length, around off, blocked. Just a single off the over. Once again in this match the squeeze is on.

15:49 IST:

8.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Agha Salman, Agha Salman now tries to push this length ball into the off side, but it takes a thick inside edge and end up inside the flap of the pads. 

15:47 IST:

8.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Full this time, on off stump, swinging a bit. Imam-ul-Haq works it to mid on for one. 

15:47 IST:

8.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Three dots in a row now! Length ball, outside off, moving away but with no real bounce this time. Imam-ul-Haq lets it be.

15:46 IST:

8.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Goes full, down the leg side. Imam-ul-Haq tucks it into mid-wicket.

15:46 IST:

8.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, A bouncer, on fourth stump. Imam-ul-Haq sways away from the line this time.

15:44 IST:

7.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Agha Salman, Fuller, on the pads, Salman clips it into mid-wicket.

15:42 IST:

7.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, OUT! LBW! Mujeeb Ur Rahman once again with a beauty and the umpire raises his finger for LBW. Mohammad Rizwan has to walk back here, but he takes the review instantly. UltraEdge shows no bat is involved. The Ball Tracking shows that it umpire's call on the ball hitting the wickets. Mohammad Rizwan is gutted with himself as he walks off the field now. Elation for Afghanistan, they are off to a dream start here. Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets rid of two big fishes inside the first Powerplay. This is a tossed up delivery, on leg, it straightens a bit after hitting the deck. Mohammad Rizwan gets beaten on the outside edge and gets pinged on his pads. Nothing could save Mohammad Rizwan this time. Agha Salman is the new batter in.

15:40 IST:

7.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan gets on his front foot and blocks it back to the bowler.

15:40 IST:

7.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Loops it up, full and outside off. Imam-ul-Haq pushes it gently towards mid on and takes off straightaway for a single. There is a direct-hit at the non-striker's end but the batsman is in by a long way.

15:38 IST:

7.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Quicker and full, on fifth stump. Imam-ul-Haq defends it into the deck.

15:38 IST:

7.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, WIDE! This one goes down the leg side.

15:38 IST:

7.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Floated and full, outside off. Imam-ul-Haq prods and blocks it out.

15:37 IST:

6.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, Shorter, outside off. Mohammad Rizwan punches it to deep point on his back foot. The batters take two runs before the fielder cuts it out.

15:36 IST:

6.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Mohammad Rizwan is finding boundaries at will now. It is overpitched, outside off. Rizwan leans in and creams it through the gap at covers for four more.

15:35 IST:

6.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, Coming back into the batter, on a shorter length. Rizwan defends this back to the bowler.

15:34 IST:

6.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Easy pickings for Mohammad Rizwan. It is fuller, angled into the pads, Mohammad Rizwan flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket for four runs. Good use of the wrists.

15:34 IST:

6.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, Good length, wide of off. Rizwan shuffles and defends it to point.

15:33 IST:

6.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Fuller ball, on leg. Imam-ul-Haq clips it into the leg side for one.

15:32 IST:

5.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Just a single from this over then. Fuller, on fifth stumps. Mohammad Rizwan defends it to point.

15:32 IST:

5.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, On the pads, Rizwan tucks it into mid-wicket.

15:32 IST:

5.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Flatter, attacking the stumps. Rizwa gets it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

15:31 IST:

5.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, On off, pushed to mid off.

15:31 IST:

5.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Flights it up this time, on fourth stump. Mohammad Rizwan leans in but drives it straight to the fielder at covers.

15:31 IST:

5.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Sliding down leg. Imam-ul-Haq nudges it behind square on the leg side for one.

15:29 IST:

4.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, A dot to end the over! Fuller in length, on off. Rizwan blocks it out watchfully.

15:29 IST:

4.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! Width on offer once again and guess what Mohammad Rizwan puts it into the boundary once again. It is much fuller this time, wide of off. Mohammad Rizwan leans in and drills it through the gap at covers for the second boundary of the over. Pakistan are fighting back.

15:28 IST:

4.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, Fazalhaq Farooqi now comes round the wicket, he angles in a length ball, around off. Mohammad Rizwan fails to flick it away, and gets pinged high on his pads.

15:28 IST:

4.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, FOUR! On cue, Mohammad Rizwan proving me wrong here. It is a good-length delivery, angled across, wide outside off. Mohammad Rizwan makes the most of the width on offer and slaps it over extra covers for a cracking boundary.

15:27 IST:

4.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Goes full, sliding down leg. Imam-ul-Haq tucks it to deep square leg for another single. As mentioned earlier, the boundaries are on the longer side and looking at the start that Pakistan have got here, they need to remain cautious.

15:26 IST:

4.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Mohammad Rizwan, Goes full, shaping into the batter. Rizwan tucks it behind square on the leg side. One taken.

15:25 IST:

3.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, A googly, around off. Mohammad Rizwan picks it up nicely and helps it to mid off for a single. Just three runs off it.

15:24 IST:

3.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam-ul-Haq knocks this short ball towards long on for an easy single.

15:24 IST:

3.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Darted on the pads, clipped to the right of short fine for one.

15:24 IST:

3.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Quicker one this time, skidder, it kept low as well. Mohammad Rizwan gets it blade down in time to deal with it.

15:23 IST:

3.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Rizwan now goes back and pushes it back to the bowler.

15:23 IST:

3.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mohammad Rizwan, Fuller, angled into the batter. Rizwan jams it back to the bowler.

15:23 IST:

2.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, A jaffa to end the over! On a length, outside off, the bowler gets it to shape away. Imam-ul-Haq shuffles and hangs his blade away from his body, but is fortunate to not nick it.

15:21 IST:

2.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Two dots in a row now! Fazalhaq Farooqi dishes it full, outside off, gets it to move away a bit. Imam-ul-Haq prods and blocks it into the deck.

15:21 IST:

2.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Fuller one, around off. Imam-ul-Haq defends it back to the bowler watchfully.

15:20 IST:

2.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, FOUR! Imam-ul-Haq gets the first boundary for his side in this encounter. It is short, wide outside off. Imam-ul-Haq rocks back and slaps it hard through point for four runs.

15:19 IST:

2.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Much fuller this time, around middle. Imam-ul-Haq blocks it towards mid on with a straight bat.

15:19 IST:

2.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Imam-ul-Haq, Too straight and easy for the left-handed batter as well. Attacking the pads, Imam-ul-Haq goes back and flicks it nicely through square leg for two runs.

15:18 IST:

Mohammad Rizwan is the new batter at the crease and he certainly has his task cut out here.

15:18 IST:

1.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Babar Azam, OUT! LBW! Just as I say that there is hardly any spin on offer, Babar Azam gets beaten comprehensively. Umpire thinks it is plumb and the finger goes up. Babar Azam eventually takes the review. Coming to the delivery, it is tossed up, full and on off. It turns into the batter a bit. Babar Azam plants his front foot forward and tries to defend it out but misses. The UltraEdge informs no bat is involved. The Ball Tracking shows three reds and Babar Azam has to depart cheaply. Now, both the teams have only one review left in their bank. We have 48 overs still left in this game.

15:15 IST:

1.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Slightly short, on the pads. Imam-ul-Haq tucks it to square leg for one. Just three runs from the over so far, but hardly any spin on offer.

15:14 IST:

1.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Flatter on off. Imam-ul-Haq defends it to the left of the bowler.

15:14 IST:

1.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman drags his length back this time. Imam-ul-Haq goes back and blocks.

15:13 IST:

1.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Imam-ul-Haq prods and defends this full ball back to the bowler.

15:13 IST:

1.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Imam-ul-Haq, Flighted, on the pads. Imam-ul-Haq clips it into mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a brace.

15:13 IST:

It is Mujeeb Ur Rahman who gets the second new ball.

15:12 IST:

0.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Azam, Pitched up once again, on off. Azam closes the face of the bat and nudges it into mid-wicket.

15:12 IST:

0.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Azam, Much fuller, outside off. Azam pushes it down the park to mid off. The fielder there dives to his right and restricts a single here.

15:12 IST:

0.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Babar Azam, WIDE! Shape into the right-hander, but it drifts down the leg side. Azam fails to tickle it away. Wide called.

15:12 IST:

0.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, OUT! CAUGHT AT FIRST SLIP! Fakhar Zaman is a goner. Fazalhaq Farooqi strikes and gets his side off to an ideal start here. It is a length ball, angled into the left-hander. Fakhar Zaman gets enticed, but does not read the movement here. The ball nips away sharply to catch the outside edge. The ball flies towards the second slip fielder, but he is unable to pouch it, but instead it pops up and fortunately lands straight into Mohammad Nabi's palms who was situated just to his right.

15:10 IST:

Babar Azam comes in at number 3.

15:12 IST:

0.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, WIDE! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes full this time, but drifting down the leg side. The umpire signals a wide.

15:06 IST:

Fazalhaq Farooqi is almost through his run-up but Fakhar Zaman pulls out at the very end. He apologises the batter straightaway.

15:12 IST:

0.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Length ball, around off, blocked.

15:12 IST:

0.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, A loud appeal for lbw but turned down! Also, a collective one as well. The skipper has a chat with his bowler and the wicket-keeper. The timer ticks down continually and eventually Hashmatullah Shahidi signals the 'T' for review. It is a good yorker, right on the money as well and dipping. Fakhar Zaman tries to jam it out and fortuantely gets some nick on it, this is confirmed by the UltraEdge and Afghanistan lose a review very early on here.

15:17 IST:

0.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan and Fakhar Zaman are off the mark straightaway. It is too straight this time from the left-arm pacer. On the pads as well. Zaman clips it with ease through mid-wicket and collects a brace.

15:01 IST:

Okay then, we are done with all the pre-match proceedings. Time for some cricketing action now, as both these nations are playing away from here, no real home support can be seen, but expect it to be a housefull encounter when these two side meet in the Asia Cup. For now though, the Afghanistan players take the field. Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq stride out to the middle for Pakistan with their swords. Fazalhaq Farooqi, the left-arm seamer gets the ball in hand. Here we go...

14:56 IST:

Both the teams now stride on the field and line-up for their respective national anthems. It will be Pakistan's first followed by the one for Afghanistan. 

14:55 IST:

The stage is set. The sun is out and shining and these two teams are ready to battle it out in Sri Lanka, a crucial series for both these sides as the Asia Cup and the World Cup is just around the corner. 

14:54 IST:

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan says that their target will be to play a good game of cricket and not let them score more runs than them. Informs that they have good fast bowling attack as well and they are trying their best to work hard on their combination of spinners and pacers.

14:53 IST:

Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan is in for a chat. He starts by informing that they will bat first. The pitch seems to be dry and they will try to put runs on the board. Informs that Afghanistan have good spinners in their ranks and they will be focused on doing well. States that they just need to believe in themselves and play the natural game.

14:50 IST:

Pitch Report - There is hardly any grass present on this deck. The pace bowlers will certainly feast on it, with the new ball. 260 seems to be a good score while batting first. The boundaries are slightly on the bigger side as well, so the 2s and 3s will be crucial. This is much more different from the usual deck at Hambantota.

14:40 IST:

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdul Rahman, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

14:39 IST:

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.

14:33 IST:

TOSS - Pakistan wins the toss and they will BAT first.