50 for Abdullah Shafiquepublished at 19 overs

19 overs

Pak 93-1

A controlled half-century from 60 balls for opener Abdullah Shafique, who has barely played a false shot in this innings so far.

He is in great form and with, Babar Azam for company, is setting up a nice platform for Pakistan's middle order.

Spin, spin and more spin.

Abdullah and Babar tick five singles from Noor Ahmad's first over. Things have quietened a little since the powerplay but Pakistan are building nicely.

Babar Azam has shown glimpses of his class so far, but looks determined to make the most of this innings.

My word, how has that missed?

Rashid gets one to turn past Abdullah's defences and somehow doesn't take the edge or the bails.

Ever the entertainer, Rashid sinks to his knees in disbelief at the audacity for a ball that good not to take a wicket.

That'll be drinks.

I reckon Mohammad Nabi is on a quest to bowl his 10 overs without conceding a boundary here.

I doubt that's happened often. He has bowled five overs for 11 so far.

Phil Long
BBC Test Match Special statistician

The most overs of spin we have so far seen from a team so far this World Cup is 30, which was India on this pitch against Australia.

Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja all bowled 10 each that day.

Immediate impact.

A bit of grip and bounce has Babar Azam in two minds, leading to an lbw shout but the batter just managed to get an inside edge.

Could be an epic battle between Rashid and Babar, two of the world's best at their craft.

Big moment. Here is the star man, Rashid Khan.

Waqar Younis
Former Pakistan fast bowler on Test Match Special

We've had no Rashid Khan and no Noor yet. Normally, there's a rush to get Rashid Khan in once the powerplay finishes. Perhaps, it is because Babar Azam has good history against off spin.

Afghanistan need another of their bowlers to back up Mohammad Nabi's consistency.

He whizzes through another boundary-less over, just three singles from it.

Waqar Younis
Former Pakistan fast bowler on Test Match Special

That's positive from Babar Azam. His body language suggests he is really up for it, wants to hit a big boundary and wants a quick start.

Azmatullah's pace has caused a few problems with a bit of bounce, but Babar Azam picks a shorter one perfectly and pulls with his characteristic elegance for four more.

He looks in good touch.

Here's how Afghanistan broke the opening partnership. Imam ul-Haq will be disappointed with that one.

Waqar Younis
Former Pakistan fast bowler on Test Match Special

I would bring Rashid Khan on straight away. Afghanistan need to get Babar Azam out as quickly as possible, not just because he is a good batter but because he is the captain too. If you get him out, it will change his captaincy and make him think differently.

A remarkable start for Mohammad Nabi, who has bowled his three overs for just four runs so far.

His control allows the captain to hold Rashid Khan back, which is very useful indeed.

Waqar Younis
Former Pakistan fast bowler on Test Match Special

Babar looks in a good mood right now. There was a bit of anger in the first boundary he hit. It means he is very keen and wants to prove a point here.

Phil Long
BBC Test Match Special statistician

That was Pakistan's best score in the powerplay in this World Cup when batting first, ending 59-0.

This is the 20th time Pakistan have played an ODI this year and only the first time they have scored a six in the powerplay.

Babar Azam is roared to the crease and the roar intensifies as he drives his first ball beautifully for four.

An overthrow then gifts him another run, rather needlessly releasing the pressure after the wicket.

Waqar Younis
Former Pakistan fast bowler on Test Match Special

It was a half tracker, Imam could've really hit that anywhere he wanted but he picked out the man at short mid-wicket. Imam ul-Haq has struggled against shorter deliveries in the past. That is a breakthrough. You will see more spring in Afghanistan going forward after that.