On Monday, Afghanistan made cricket history by defeating Pakistan for the first time, winning the 22nd ODI of the current 2023 World Cup in Chennai by an eight-wicket margin. With 49 overs remaining in their 283-run pursuit, Afghanistan reached 286/2 with half-centuries from Ibrahim Zadran.
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The Rundown: Pakistan vs Afghanistan
When Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets, winning two games in a single tournament for the first time, they pulled off another major surprise at the Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan Openers Provide a Solid Start
When Pakistan faced Afghanistan in Chennai, late blitzes by Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan enabled Pakistan to score 282/7 in 50 overs.
When Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, faced Noor Ahmad, he got 40 runs for each of the batters while also making 74 (92). After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique gave Pakistan an excellent opening.
Before Azmatullah Omarzai dealt Afghanistan’s first blow by dismissing Imam for 12 (22), the two had amassed a 56-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Before Noor Ahmad ended the 104-run stand between the two, Babar Azam and Shafique kept the scoring going. Shafique got caught LBW with 58 (75).
Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batter, was quickly removed for 8 (10) by Noor. Then Mohammad Nabi struck Saud Shakeel once more, knocking him out for 25 (34). The 74 (92) struggle of Babar Azam also came to an end.
Wild Ending for the Afghans
A spirited opening partnership of 130 runs by Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), despite Pakistan’s uncoordinated speed and fast spin bowling, led to Afghanistan’s chase (283), which ended in 286-2 in 49 overs.
Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi added 96 runs to the first-wicket partnership, strengthening it. Shahidi hit 48 not out as he increased his lead with a boundary over Shaheen Afridi at square leg, while Shah stayed unbeaten on 77.
Their partnership came to an abrupt end when Gurbaz was bowled out by Shaheen Shah Afridi for 65 off 53 balls in the 22nd over. Gurbaz was succeeded by Rahmat Shah, who had established a reliable alliance with Zadran.
Hasan Ali took Ibrahim Zadran’s wicket after he batted 87 off 113 balls, narrowly missing out on a century. As Afghanistan secured a momentous victory, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (48*) hit the game-winning four.
Player of the Game: Ibrahim Zadran
The World Cup batsman for Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran, dedicated his Player of the Match award to the citizens of the nation he represents and to the Afghans who have been driven out of Pakistan after leading his side to a thrilling victory over Pakistan on Monday. Zadran made the game’s highest total of 87 off 113 balls.
Zadran’s statements come in the context of Pakistan’s request for all refugees to leave the country before November 1.
Approximately 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan have been impacted by the ruling. The news received severe criticism from the Taliban-ruled.
Afghanistan referred to it as “unacceptable” in Kabul.
Zadran’s statement gained a lot of attention on X, where many users praised the action and some have even drawn comparisons between it and the pro-Palestine comments made by Pakistani wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan following their victory over Sri Lanka previously in the competition.
Pakistan v Afghanistan Score
| Pakistan | Afghanistan |
| 282/7(50 overs) | 286/2(49 overs) |
| Afghanistan bagged their first win against Pakistan by 8 wickets with 6 balls left | |
Pakistan’s third straight loss puts them in a must-win position to advance to the semifinals with four points from five games.
With four points in as many games, Afghanistan kept their fragile aspirations alive and climbed up to the sixth position, behind Pakistan in terms of net run rate, placing England at the bottom of the standings. The top four teams in each round-robin group of ten advance to the semifinals.
The fight is going to keep happening on Friday in Chennai when Pakistan takes on South Africa and Monday in Pune when Afghanistan takes on Sri Lanka.
As the competition continues to heat up, more energy will be drawn. Join the best online cricket betting sites indiaright away to start placing your bets on the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup!