An all-round performance by Pakistan A resulted in a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in Islamabad, in the first game of the three-match limited-overs series.

Choosing to bat, Afghanistan lost wickets in a hurry early on, being reduced to 13 for 3 by the left-arm pace bowling of Sohail Tanvir and Sadaf Hussain. They didn't really recover from the poor start, losing wickets at regular intervals thereafter. The only resistance came from No. 7 batsman Mohammad Nabi. He attacked the Pakistan A bowlers, stroking 72 off 75 balls with seven fours and three sixes to push his side past the 150 mark, something that looked unlikely at 94 for 8. First-change bowler Mohammad Talha finished with the best figures - 3 for 29.

Pakistan A built their chase around a number of cameos from their top order. They stumbled briefly, going from 99 for 2 to 123 for 5, due to a double-strike by debutant Dawlat Zadran and a run-out, but the paltry target was never really beyond their reach. They got home with 61 balls to spare.

Nabi, who had starred with the bat, and later stifled the hosts with his offspin, going for just 34 in his ten overs was named Man of the Match.

The second match is on Friday in Rawalpindi.