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Afghanistan beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the 2023 World Cup match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday, October 24. The batting unit delivered following a clinical bowling performance.
Chasing 283, the top four batters hit half-centuries as Afghanistan won the game with an over to spare. It was their second win in the 2023 World Cup. They earlier beat defending champions England by 69 runs.
After the win, Afghanistan players were over the moon and danced their hearts out to celebrate the special moment. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) shared the video on Instagram:
What happened in the PAK vs AFG 2023 World Cup match?
Batting first, Pakistan scored 282/7 in their allotted 50 overs. Captain Babar Azam delivered with the bat, scoring 74 runs off 92 balls, including one six and four boundaries. Abdullah Shafique also struck 58 off 75, including two sixes and five boundaries.
Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed provided the late blitz to take Pakistan past 280. Shadab scored 40 off 38, including one six and one four. Iftikhar slammed 40 off 27, comprising four sixes and two fours.
Noor Ahmad emerged as the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, finishing with figures of 3/49, while Naveen-ul-Haq scalped two wickets. Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai settled for one wicket apiece.
Chasing 283, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a terrific start by sharing a 130-run stand for the opening wicket. Gurbaz slammed 65 off 53, including one six and nine boundaries. Zadran, meanwhile, missed out on a well-deserved century, scoring 87 off 113, including 10 fours.
Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi shared an unbeaten 96-run partnership to take Afghanistan past the finish line. Shah hit 77* off 84, including two sixes and five boundaries, while Shahidi chipped in with 48 off 45, comprising four boundaries.
"The way we chased was very professional" - Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi
Afghanistan skipper Hashamatullah Shahidi credited the batting unit and debutant Noor Ahmed for their victory over Pakistan. He said that the team will look to continue their success in the remaining games.
At the post-match show, Shahidi said:
"This win tastes nice. The way we chased was very professional. The way we chased today, we'll do it again. At the start of the tournament, I said that we want to make this tournament historic for our country's people."
He continued:
"First was England, today Pakistan, looking forward to the other games. We'll try our best to play positive cricket and do a lot for our country in this World Cup. The spin bowling department did very well. We gave a chance to Noor and trusted in him, he showed his talent."
"The way Gurbaz and Ibrahim started the innings, gave that momentum and confidence. The game was in our hands from the beginning till the end. The last partnership that me and Rahmat played was also good," he added.
Afghanistan will next play against Sri Lanka at the MCA Stadium in Pune on October 30. They will be keen to avenge the three-run loss they sustained during the 2023 Asia Cup.
Afghanistan’s remaining matches in the 2023 World Cup:
October 30: vs Sri Lanka at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune
November 3: vs Netherlands at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow
November 7: vs Australia at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai
November 10: vs South Africa at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
