World Cup 2023: Pakistan hits first powerplay six of ODI

Pakistan has succeeded in ending their 1,169-ball long streak of not hitting a sixer during the mandatory first powerplay in one-day internationals (ODIs) this year. The 'Men in Green' accomplished this during their ICC Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan at Chennai on Monday. 

In the third ball of the team's fifth over, Abdullah Shafique smashed Naveen-ul-Haq for a six. He hit another six later to make it two sixes during the first ten overs. This year Pakistan has faced 1,202 balls in the first powerplay and scored 945 runs across 20 innings. Of these, 789 balls faced by Pakistan were dot balls, which shows that they did not score on over 65 percent of balls in this phase of the match.

History in Chennai:

Pakistan hit a six in the Powerplay of an ODI after 1,168 deliveries. pic.twitter.com/8YYAbklrFy

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 23, 2023

Pakistan batters smashed 131 fours and two sixes in the first powerplay this year. Pakistan scored 536 out of their 945 runs through fours and sixes, with only 12 runs scored while the aerial route.

Coming to the match, Pakistan elected to bat first and posted 282/7 in their 50 overs. Half-centuries from Babar (74 in 92 balls with four boundaries and a six) and Abdullah (58 in 75 balls with five fours and two sixes) were the highlights of Pakistan's innings. In the end, knocks of 40 runs each from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan took Pakistan to a competitive total.

Iftikhar and Shadab unleash fireworks, propelling Pakistan to 282-7 after Babar and Abdullah's composed half-centuries! 💥

Over to the bowlers in the second innings 🎯#PAKvAFG | #DattKePakistani pic.twitter.com/WA0KR8AmE0

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2023

Noor (3/49) was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan. Naveen-ul-Haq got two wickets while Mohammed Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai got one wicket.

(With ANI inputs)