Arafat Minhas's record ODI performance powers Pakistan to latest victory

Pakistan's cricket team secured another victory in their ODI series against England with a dominant 87-run win in Rawalpindi. Arafat Minhas delivered an impressive all-round performance, which proved crucial in Pakistan's success. The hosts posted a formidable total of 302-9 in their innings, with contributions from several players.

Hasan Nawaz, a key player in the Asian Games final, scored 79 runs, while Minhas contributed 59 runs. In response, England started strongly with Ben Duckett and Tom Banton, who put on 91 runs for the first wicket. However, Minhas turned the tide of the match with his outstanding bowling, finishing with figures of 6-40 as England were dismissed for 215.

This performance marked one of the best all-round efforts in ODI cricket history, making Minhas only the seventh player to achieve such a feat. Minhas, at just 21 years old, has shown glimpses of his potential earlier this year, particularly in the Pakistan Super League. His older brother Sameer has been more frequently talked about, but Minhas' well-rounded game makes him a versatile and dependable player for the team.

Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi praised Minhas' all-round abilities, stating that he is a complete cricketer who can contribute in both batting and bowling. Pakistan has now won five out of their eight ODIs this year and 11 out of their 17 T20 Internationals, positioning themselves as a strong contender for upcoming world events like the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup.