LAHORE: Pakistan Shaheens defeated Afghanistan by 144 runs in the first warm-up match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Batting first, Shaheens posted a massive total of 314-8 in their 50 overs. The home team’s Hussain Talat, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Mohsin Riaz belted half-centuries, while all-rounder Jahandad Khan’s late blitz powered the team to reach a formidable total.
Talat was the top-scorer with 70 off 75 balls, laced with seven elegant fours, while Riaz and Irfan chipped in 61 and 57, respectively.
For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, who took 3 for 56 in eight overs. Noor Ahmad also chipped in with two wickets in his allocated ten overs.
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Chasing a daunting total, the Afghanistan team’s premier batting line faltered against Shaheen’s, scoring 170 runs in 38.4 overs.
Rahmat Shah remained the top scorer for the visitors with his 43 runs, while no other batter from Afghanistan’s experienced line-up rose to the occasion.
Pakistan Shaheen’s captain, Shadab Khan, led from the front and took three for 29 in his eight overs.
Afghanistan will play their second warm-up match against New Zealand on February 16 before starting their Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa next week.
On the other hand, Pakistan Shaheens will face South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 17, while their other squad will be in action on the same day against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
For the unversed, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the three Shaheens squads that will feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up matches in the build-up to the main event, which will take place from 19 February to 9 March.
Schedule of matches featuring Pakistan Shaheens:
14 February – vs Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium (1400-2130)
17 February – vs South Africa, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)
17 February – vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket Academy (1400-2130)
Other Champions Trophy warm-up matches:
16 February – New Zealand v Afghanistan, National Stadium Karachi (1400-2130)
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