Pakistan Vs Afghanistan: A decade of one-sided winning affair

In the realm of ODI cricket, the Pakistan-Afghanistan showdown continues to be a one-sided affair, with the Pakistani team securing a clean sweep in all seven encounters against their Afghan counterparts. The cricketing rivalry has seen Afghanistan searching for their first ODI victory against Pakistan, despite fervent efforts.

The first chapter in this ODI saga was penned back in 2012 when Pakistan faced Afghanistan on the cricket field. Pakistan, living up to their reputation, clinched a comfortable 7-wicket win. This inaugural encounter set the tone for Pakistan’s dominance over their Afghan neighbors.

The 2014 Asia Cup witnessed the two teams locking horns once again. However, the result remained unaltered, with Pakistan sealing victory, this time by a substantial margin of 72 runs. It was becoming evident that Pakistan’s superiority was hard to challenge.

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The 2018 Asia Cup presented another opportunity for Afghanistan to break the shackles, but the Pakistani team held their nerve and secured a hard-fought victory by 3 wickets, reinforcing their dominance.

In 2019, the cricketing world watched as Pakistan and Afghanistan crossed swords in the ICC Cricket World Cup. However, Afghanistan’s quest for a breakthrough remained unfulfilled as Pakistan won the match by 3 wickets.

The latest installment of this cricketing saga took place in Sri Lanka in 2023, where the two teams engaged in a three-match series. Despite high hopes, Afghanistan could not change their fate, as Pakistan emerged victorious once more, completing a whitewash.

Throughout these encounters, several standout performers made their mark. Shaheen Afridi, with 12 wickets in five matches, stood out as Pakistan’s star bowler, consistently making crucial breakthroughs. On the Afghan side, Mujibur Rehman displayed exceptional fielding skills by taking nine catches in five matches.

With the bat, Imam-ul-Haq was Pakistan’s top scorer, amassing 281 runs in five matches and recording three fifties. Meanwhile, Rahmanullah Garbaz, the Afghan sensation, shone bright, scoring 174 runs in three matches, including the sole century of the series.

As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the next showdown between Pakistan and Afghanistan, set to take place this coming Monday, fans and enthusiasts alike are filled with excitement. With Pakistan’s unbroken streak and Afghanistan’s unwavering determination, it promises to be a thrilling battle of skills, strategy, and unrelenting passion for the sport.