RAWALPINDI (Kashmir English): Arafat Minhas, who played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s victory against England in the second ODI of the tri-nation series through his all-round performance, has achieved a significant milestone.
In the match held in Rawalpindi, England won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan.
Batting first, Pakistan scored 302 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. In response, the English team was bowled out for 215 runs in the 39th over.
For Pakistan, Arafat Minhas delivered an exceptional all-round performance; he played an innings of 59 runs during a challenging phase and subsequently claimed 6 wickets for 40 runs.
With this performance, Arafat Minhas has become the third Pakistani player to score a half-century and take 5 or more wickets in the same ODI match.
Prior to this, Shahid Afridi (three times) and Abdul Razzaq (once) had accomplished this feat.
Shahid Afridi first achieved this milestone against England in Lahore in 2000, when he scored 61 runs and took 5 wickets for 40 runs.
Shahid Afridi also holds the unique distinction of having accomplished this feat more times than anyone else in international cricket; he has recorded a half-century and a 5-wicket haul in the same ODI match on three separate occasions.
Additionally, Abdul Razzaq achieved this feat against India in 2000, scoring 70 runs and taking 5 wickets.
