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During the first ODI of the three-match series between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman managed to fumble an easy run out of Ikram Alikhil on August 22, Tuesday. At the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, this incident happened when the Afghanistan cricket team were in a spot of bother, chasing the 202 target set by the Men in Green.
For the unversed, it was the captain Babar Azam, who won the toss for Pakistan and chose to bat first. The start was horrible for the team, losing their opener Fakhar Zaman in the first over to Fazalhaq Farooqi, who was safely caught by Mohammad Nabi.
In the second over, Babar Azam was sent packing to the pavilion for no score by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who trapped him in front of the stumps. Imam-ul-Haq steadied the innings for Pakistan, stitching together small yet important partnerships with Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan.
Thanks to the 61 off 94 balls from the left-handed opening batter, the Men in Green reached 201 all out in 47.1 overs. Then, the Pakistan fast bowlers had a dream start, picking up the wickets of Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for no score.
When Afghanistan were 8-3 in the fourth over, Ikram Alikhil, who was new to the crease, played a defensive stroke off Naseem Shah. Without any momentary hesitation, he took off for a run, but the non-striker Rahamanullah Gurbaz said no to him straight away.
Watch the video of Fakhar Zaman missing an easy run out here:
It made Ikram Alikhil turn back towards the striking end, but in the meantime, Fakhar Zaman had also fielded the ball to run in towards the stumps. But, instead of continuing his run, he decided to underarm the ball, only to miss the stumps, which gave ample time to the batter to make his crease, while Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistan wicket-keeper failed to gather the throw as well.
