[Watch] Elated Afghanistan players groove to “Lungi Dance” in team bus after historic triumph over Pakistan

Jubilant Afghanistan players shook a leg to the popular Bollywood song “Lungi Dance” after the team’s historic win over Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Afghanistan’s win was their first victory over Pakistan in the ODI format.

Pakistan won the toss and batted first in the game. They ended up scoring 282/7 in their 50 overs. Skipper Babar Azam contributed 74 off 92 balls, while opener Abdullah Shafique scored 58 off 75. At the death, Iftikhar Ahmed hammered 40 off 27 deliveries to lift the team.

Chasing 283 for victory, Afghanistan came up with a clinical batting effort to get over the line in 49 overs, with eight wickets in hand. Openers Ibrahim Zadran (87 off 113) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65 off 53) added 130 in 21.1 overs.

After the duo was dismissed, Rahmat Shah (77* off 84) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (48* off 45) added an unbroken 96 runs for the third wicket.

A number of pictures and videos went viral following Afghanistan’s brilliant win over Pakistan. In one of the clips widely shared on social media, members of the Afghanistan cricket team can be grooving to the “Lungi Dance” song from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s movie “Chennai Express”. The players are seen having a lot of fun while dancing to the popular track.

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“Told my team I wanted to make it [World Cup] a historic one for our country” - Afghanistan skipper

Speaking after Afghanistan’s triumph over Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup match on Monday, skipper Shahidi said that he had faith in the team going into the ICC event. He also revealed having told the players that he wanted the team to create history at the World Cup.

"The way we chased today, was very professional. We have been quality cricket from a couple of years. We will try our best to play positive cricket, and do a lot for our country. Today, bowling was very good, especially spin bowling. We gave a chance to Noor, and he showed... The game was in our hands from the beginning till the end," Shahidi said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"We 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. We are looking forward to playing positive cricket in our next games," the captain added.

Afghanistan’s next match in the 2023 World Cup will be against Sri Lanka in Pune on October 30.