Pakistan’s young all-rounder Arafat Minhas has achieved a major feat, becoming the third player from Pakistan to strike a half-century and return with a five-wicket haul in the same ODI game. He reached the milestone during the match against England in Rawalpindi on Tuesday in the ongoing ODI tri-series that also involves Sri Lanka. Arafat, with this accomplishment, joined former Pakistan cricketers Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq, who achieved this record in their careers thrice and once, respectively.
Pakistan players to score fifty and take five wickets in the same ODI:
Abdul Razzaq vs India - (2000) - 70*, 5/48
Shahid Afridi vs England - (2000) - 61, 5/40
Shahid Afridi vs Sri Lanka - (2011) - 75, 5/35
Shahid Afridi vs West Indies - (2013) 76, 7/12
Arafat Minhas vs England - (2026) - 59, 6/40
In the match, the hard-hitting star put on a masterclass show, smashing 59 off 58 before nabbing 6-40 to play a decisive role in Pakistan’s 87-run win over England. Earlier, Pakistan, asked to bat, lost openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub early for 0 and 8, respectively. However, Babar Azam and Saad Baig, scoring 34 and 35, guided the side through a precarious phase.
After their departures, Hasan Nawaz took control of the innings, blazing a fabulous 79 off 74. He found an able ally in Minhas, as both batters forged a 78-run stand to power the side 302/9 in 50 overs. In their chase, England crumbled dramatically, with Arafat dismissing Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Jordon Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, and Adil Rashid to put England out of the game and lead Pakistan to a magnificent victory.