KARACHI: Pakistan continued their winning ways in the International Disability Cricket Series against Afghanistan on Thursday by handing the tourists a crushing 109-run defeat in the first of the two-match one-day series here at the National Stadium.

After opting to bat first, Pakistan collected 276-7 in their allotted 40 overs. Arif Richard, who was adjudged man-of-the-match, struck 70 (72 ball, 11 boundaries) and Matloob Qureshi (58 off 56 balls, five fours) began with a rollicking opening partnership of 132.

Skipper Hasnain Alam scored 32, Rao Javed 28 and Danish Ahmed an undefeated 27.

Nabiullah Nabi claimed two wickets for 43.

But the touring stumbled in their run chase as they subsided to 167 all out in the 33rd over. Only skipper Mohammad Ashraf showed stomach for a fight by hitting a defiant 58-ball 52 featuring five boundaries.

Paceman Abdullah Ijaz and spinner Fayyaz Ahmed equally shared six wickets between.

Despite the defeat, the touring side celebrated Afghanistan’s maiden World Cup win, which was achieved against Scotland in the New Zealand city of Dunedin earlier in the day, by indulging in ‘Attan’ a traditional dance of their country.

Afghanistan’s short tour of Pakistan ends with Friday’s second one-dayer at the same venue.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN 276-7 in 40 overs (Arif Richard 70, Matloob Qureshi 58, Hasnain Alam 32, Rao Javed 28; Nabiullah 2-43, Abdullah 1-41, Shafiq Shameem 1-42, Sheirin Akkakhail 1-55); AFGHANISTAN 167 in 32.2 overs (Mohammad Ashraf 52, Farid Mohmand 37, Sangar Laghmani 24 not out; Abdullah Ijaz 3-35, Fayyaz Ahmed 3-47, Ameer Ahmed 2-31, Rao Javed 1-3).

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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