Pak Shaheens Beat Afghanistan by 144 Runs: A Resounding Victory in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Warm-up Match

In an electrifying display of cricket, Pak Shaheens beat Afghanistan by 144 runs in the first warm-up match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. The match, held at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, was an absolute thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s take a closer look at this exciting contest that showcased both superb batting and brilliant bowling.

Pak Shaheens’ Batting Power in the 144-Run Win Over Afghanistan

The game began with Pak Shaheens taking the bat first. The team’s opening batsmen quickly set the stage for what would turn out to be an incredible batting effort. Hussain Talat, the top scorer of the match, played a masterful knock of 70 runs off 75 balls. His performance was filled with crisp drives and elegant shots, especially through the cover region. His innings was punctuated by seven boundaries, which lit up the Gaddafi Stadium.

As the game progressed, Mohammad Irfan Khan and Mohsin Riaz played their part as well. Both scored half-centuries—61 runs and 57 runs, respectively. Their partnership helped stabilize the innings, ensuring that Pak Shaheens reached a massive total of 314/8 in their allotted 50 overs.

But the real fireworks came from Jahandad Khan, who delivered a stunning late blitz, hitting some massive boundaries and ensuring Pak Shaheens would post a formidable total. The target was set, and Afghanistan had no choice but to chase it down.

Batting Tips: How Pak Shaheens Overpowered Afghanistan with a Strong Batting Line-up

If we analyze the team’s success, we can pinpoint several key factors that made their batting performance remarkable:

1. Solid Partnerships – The key to Pak Shaheens’ victory was building partnerships throughout the innings. From Talat anchoring the innings to Riaz and Irfan contributing solid middle-order partnerships, it was teamwork that kept the scoreboard ticking.
2. Smart Shot Selection – The batsmen knew when to defend and when to attack. Talat, in particular, displayed patience and only went for boundaries when the ball was in his zone.
3. Depth in Batting – With all-rounders like Jahandad Khan coming in at the lower order, Pak Shaheens had the depth to accelerate the scoring towards the end of the innings.

For Afghanistan, the task was now to chase down a daunting target of 315 runs.

Afghanistan’s Struggles in the 144-Run Loss to Pak Shaheens

When Afghanistan came to bat, the chase seemed like an uphill battle. Their batting lineup, known for its potential but inconsistent form, was immediately put under pressure. Rahmat Shah was the only batter who showed some resistance, scoring a solid 43 runs. However, despite his efforts, the rest of the Afghanistan team fell apart quickly.

One of the major reasons for their downfall was the brilliance of Pak Shaheens’ bowling, led by their captain, Shadab Khan. The young all-rounder delivered a match-winning performance, claiming three wickets for just 29 runs in his eight overs. His spell was a game-changer as he broke key partnerships, leaving Afghanistan with little hope of a successful chase.

Bowling Tips: How Shadab Khan Led Pak Shaheens to Victory Over Afghanistan

Shadab’s bowling was exceptional, and he showed everyone why he’s considered one of the best young talents in international cricket. Here’s how Shadab dominated the Afghanistan batting:

1. Tight Lines and Lengths – Shadab maintained a disciplined line and length throughout his spell. He mixed up his deliveries, occasionally tossing one up and then pulling back with a quicker delivery, keeping the batsmen guessing.
2. Mental Toughness – With his team under pressure, Shadab held his nerve. His leadership on the field helped his bowlers maintain their focus, resulting in Afghanistan losing wickets at crucial moments.
3. Variety in Spin – As a leg-spinner, Shadab was able to turn the ball both ways, and Afghanistan’s batsmen struggled to read him. His variations were key in breaking the back of Afghanistan’s batting order.

Afghanistan’s batting collapsed to a mere 170 runs in just 38.4 overs. It was a complete team effort from Pak Shaheens, with contributions coming from all departments.

Pak Shaheens’ Comprehensive Performance in 144-Run Win Over Afghanistan

This resounding victory provided several key takeaways for both teams:

• Pak Shaheens’ Batting Depth – Their ability to post such a big total shows that they have a strong batting line-up, one that can accelerate and anchor the innings when needed.
• Afghanistan’s Vulnerabilities – Afghanistan’s inability to chase down a sizeable target raises questions about their consistency, particularly in high-pressure situations.
• Shadab Khan’s Leadership – As the captain, Shadab Khan’s contribution was invaluable. His performance with the ball, combined with his captaincy, was instrumental in ensuring Pak Shaheens’ dominant victory.

What This 144-Run Win Means for Pak Shaheens’ Champions Trophy Campaign

For Pak Shaheens, this match was a perfect confidence booster. Heading into the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, they know that their batting and bowling departments are in great shape. With Shadab Khan leading from the front and key players like Hussain Talat firing with the bat, Pak Shaheens are ready to take on bigger challenges.

On the other hand, Afghanistan has a lot of work to do before their Champions Trophy campaign. While their bowling attack, led by Fareed Ahmed, showed promise (3 wickets for 56 runs), their batting will need to find more consistency if they hope to challenge the best teams.

Conclusion: Pak Shaheens’ 144-Run Victory Sets a Strong Precedent for Champions Trophy 2025

In conclusion, Pak Shaheens beat Afghanistan by 144 runs in a thrilling match that provided plenty of drama and excitement. Their all-round performance with both bat and ball showcased why they are one of the teams to watch in the upcoming tournament. While Afghanistan will need to regroup and find solutions to their batting woes, Pak Shaheens will carry this momentum forward, confident in their chances to go deep into the tournament.

This match was a thriller, and fans can only hope for more exciting cricket like this as the Champions Trophy gets underway. For now, Pak Shaheens have the bragging rights and a big win under their belt!

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Here is the FAQs section based on the questions you’ve provided:

FAQs: Pakistan Shaheens vs Afghanistan – Champions Trophy 2025 Warm-Up Match

1. What was the final score of the warm-up match between Pakistan Shaheens and Afghanistan?

• The final score of the warm-up match saw Pakistan Shaheens post a total of 314 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. In response, Afghanistan could only manage 170 runs in 38.4 overs, resulting in a dominant 144-run victory for Pakistan Shaheens.

2. Who were the top scorers for Pakistan Shaheens in this match?

• Hussain Talat was the top scorer for Pakistan Shaheens, making an impressive 70 runs off 75 balls. He was followed closely by Mohsin Riaz (61 runs) and Muhammad Irfan Khan (57 runs), who both contributed crucial half-centuries to help set a formidable total for Pakistan.

3. How did Afghanistan perform with the bat during this match?

• Afghanistan struggled with the bat throughout their innings. The highest run-scorer was Rahmat Shah, who made 43 runs. Unfortunately, no other batter could support him significantly, and Afghanistan collapsed to 170 all out, well short of Pakistan’s total.

4. Which bowlers were most effective for Pakistan Shaheens?

• Arafat Minhas was the standout bowler for Pakistan Shaheens, picking up 3 wickets for 26 runs. Additionally, Shadab Khan, the Pakistan Shaheens’ captain, was also highly effective, claiming 2 wickets for 32 runs, playing a key role in Afghanistan’s downfall.

5. What impact did extras have on the match?

• Extras played a notable role in the match, with 41 runs being added to Pakistan’s total. These extras largely came from wides bowled by Afghanistan, which contributed to Pakistan’s healthy total, especially as Afghanistan struggled with discipline in their bowling attack.

6. What message did Pakistan Shaheens send ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy with this victory?

• This 144-run victory sent a strong message of intent from Pakistan Shaheens ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It showcased the team’s batting depth and bowling strength, solidifying their preparations for the upcoming tournament and signaling that they are in great form as they look to challenge the best.

7. How did the bowling performance of Afghanistan compare to that of Pakistan Shaheens?

• Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Fareed Ahmad, who claimed 3 wickets for 60 runs, couldn’t contain the Pakistani batsmen. Afghanistan’s overall bowling performance was inconsistent, with an economy rate of over 6 runs per over, which allowed Pakistan to score freely and set a daunting target. In contrast, Pakistan Shaheens’ bowlers executed their plans effectively, maintaining pressure throughout Afghanistan’s batting innings.

8. What were the conditions like during the match, and how did they affect play?

• The match was played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where the conditions were favorable for batting early on. This allowed Pakistan Shaheens to set a big target. However, as the match progressed, the bowlers—especially for Pakistan—capitalized on the conditions, using the pitch’s assistance to restrict Afghanistan to just 170 runs. The clear skies and warm weather conditions made it a challenging but exciting contest.

Summary:
In a spectacular warm-up match for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan Shaheens defeated Afghanistan by a dominant 144 runs. Batting first, Pakistan posted a challenging total of 314/8 with Hussain Talat leading the charge, scoring 70 runs. Solid contributions from Mohsin Riaz (61 runs) and Muhammad Irfan Khan (57 runs) further bolstered the score. Afghanistan’s chase faltered under the pressure, with Rahmat Shah (43 runs) the only significant contributor. Led by Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s bowlers dominated, with Arafat Minhas taking 3/26 and Shadab himself claiming 2/32, ultimately dismissing Afghanistan for 170 runs in 38.4 overs. This commanding victory sent a clear message of intent from Pakistan as they head into the Champions Trophy, showcasing their balanced and powerful team performance.

Muhammad Anas