Chennai, 23 October 2023: Afghanistan clinched an unexpected victory over Pakistan, defeating them by eight wickets in the 22nd match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in Chennai. The Afghan team had earlier delivered a major blow to reigning World Cup champions England defeating them by 69 runs.
Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on quite a show making 65 off 53 and 87 off 113 respectively. Gurbaz conceded his wicket to Shaheen Shah Afridi and was replaced by Rahmat Shah who scored 77 not out. Zadran fell 13 runs short of a century making an impressive 87 before being caught by wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan off the bowling of Hasan Ali. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi steered his side over the line with a composed 48 not out from 45 balls.
Earlier, Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq had set their side to a promising start. Abdullah made 58 off 75 deliveries scoring five boundaries and two sixes before being sent to the pavilion by Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad.
Imam’s wicket fell earlier (17, 22b, 2x4s), bringing skipper Babar Azam to the crease as he crafted a steady 74 off 92 balls. Rizwan managed to make only eight off 10 balls before being caught by Mujeeb Ur Rahman off the bowling of Noor Ahmad while Saud Shakeel made 25 off 34 balls.
Pakistan’s lower-order salvaged some of the momentum with late firepower provided by Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored 40 runs each. Shadab managed to make 40 off 38 while Iftikhar’s 40 came briskly off 27 deliveries with the help of two boundaries and four sixes. Shaheen was the last man standing with three runs not out as Pakistan finished with 282-7.
Scores in brief:
Afghanistan beat Pakistan by eight wickets
Pakistan 282-7, 50 overs (Babar Azam 74, Abdullah Shafique 58, Iftikhar Ahmed 40, Shadab Khan 40; Noor Ahmed 3-49, Naveen-ul-Haq 2-52)
Afghanistan 286-2, 49 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 87, Rahmat Shah 77 not out, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 65, Hashmatullah Shahidi 48 not out; Hasan Ali 1-44, Shaheen Afridi 1-58)
Player of the match – Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)
