Arafat Minhas, 21, puts on an incredible display to destroy England and lead the Men in Green to an overwhelming 87-run victory in the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, suggesting that Pakistan’s quest for a magical all-rounder may have discovered an intriguing new candidate.
The game’s best player was Arafat Minhas, who made a significant contribution with both the bat and the ball. His first ODI half-century, 59 off 58 balls, was followed by his greatest bowling performance in the format, 6 for 40 in 8.4 overs. For his performance, Minhas was named Player of the Match.
Although it was Pakistan’s second victory in the current tri-nation competition, the most important lesson for the home team was perhaps Minhas’s development as a game-winner. Minhas provided exactly the kind of performance Pakistan needed from its spin-bowling all-rounders, a side that has frequently sought steady contributions from them.
With his second ODI fifty of 79 off 74 balls, Hasan Nawaz also contributed significantly to Pakistan’s total. After what seemed to be a difficult middle period, the two lower-order contributions enabled Pakistan to reach a competitive total, and Nawaz and Minhas’ partnership turned out to be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s innings.
Before Jamie Overton bowled him, Pakistan had surpassed 200 runs thanks to the right-handed batsman’s outstanding 79 off 74 balls, which included five fours and four sixes. Minhas found another capable ally in Faheem Ashraf and carried on with the reconstruction.
With Faheem delivering a quick 39 from just 25 deliveries, their 72-run partnership helped Pakistan to a dominant total. Even though Minhas eventually left for 59, his innings had provided Pakistan the impetus they needed to finish strongly. Pakistan finished on 302-9 in 50 overs thanks to late runs from captain Shaheen Afridi, who scored an unbeaten 10.
In 38.4 overs, England was bowled out for 215, far short of Pakistan’s goal of 303. England lost the chase despite a 91-run opening partnership between Tom Banton and Ben Duckett. Pakistan reached 302 for 9 after being reeling at 133 for 5 in the 28th over of their innings due to a poor performance in the field.
With figures of 6 for 40, Minhas was the main destroyer with the ball, taking six of the ten wickets that fell. In the batting innings, Minhas and Nawaz contributed significantly to Pakistan’s total of 302 for 9, which was more than sufficient to achieve the 87-run victory and maintain Pakistan’s campaign in the tri-series.
