Afghanistan put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup 2023 on Monday. Chasing a 283-run target at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Afghanistan were lifted by Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) as they scored 286 for 2 in 49 overs. Pakistan had made 282-7 in their 50 overs with 74 from skipper Babar Azam and 58 from opener Abdullah Shafique but the total did not prove tough enough for a clinical Afghanistan.
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi hit the winning run that was followed by a heartfelt celebration from the side. Meanwhile, Pakistan legend Waqar Younis, who was commentating for the game, was shell-shocked over the result.
With former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa describing the final scenes from the commentary box, Younis, who was sitting next to him, stayed tightlipped for a fair amount of time.
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With the win, Afghanistan improved upon their highest ODI chase of 274 against the UAE in Dubai in 2014.
The win is Afghanistan’s first-ever over Pakistan in eight ODIs and came eight days after their shock victory over defending champions England in Delhi.
“This win tastes nice,” said Shahidi. “The way we chased was very professional and the way we did that will help us going into our other games now.
“We are playing quality cricket. We have always had belief and at the start of the tournament I told my team I wanted to make it a historic one for our country and our people. We did that against England and now today against Pakistan.”
The defeat leaves Pakistan’s World Cup campaign in disarray with three defeats in five games and a formidable South Africa to face at the same venue on Friday.
In contrast, Afghanistan’s campaign is slightly revived with two wins in five matches and struggling Sri Lanka as their next opponents in Pune on Sunday.
The win was greeted with celebratory gunfire, cheers and fireworks across the Afghan capital Kabul for at least 15 minutes after the match concluded.
(With AFP Inputs)
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