#CWC23: Gritty Afghanistan Continue Dream Run, Shock Pakistan By 8 Wickets ; Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah , Hashmatullah Shahidi Shine

Picture : Afghanistan Cricket Board/X

After shocking defending champions England earlier in the tournament, Afghanistan once again did a giant killing act as they emphatically beat Pakistan at Chennai by 8 wickets .

Earlier Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat first . Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique stroked a fine 58 ( 75 balls, 5 fours 2 sixes), fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq fell for ( 17 ). Skipper Babar Azam came into his won with a fluent 74 ( 92 balls , 7 fours , 1 six), Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply ( 8), Saud Shakeel ( 25), Shadab Khan ( 40) and Iftikhar Ahmed ( 40) cameos helped Pakistan reach a respectable 282/ 7 in their 50 overs . It looked a defendable target.

For Afghanistan the bowling figures were : Naveen-ul-Haq 2/ 52 ( 7 overs), Mujeeb Ur Rahman 0/ 55 ( 8 overs), Mohammad Nabi 1/ 31 ( 10 overs), Azmatullah Omarzai 1/ 50 ( 5 overs), Rashid Khan 0/ 41 ( 10 overs), Noor Ahmad 3/ 49 ( 10 overs)

Given the Pakistan total, it was expected of them to defend. But Afghanistan team which has displayed grit, determination and fearless cricket in this World Cup campaign had other plans. In- from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the stage with a blazing innings at the top – 65 ( 53 balls, 9 fours, 1 six). Fellow opener Ibrahim Zadran smashed 87 ( 113 balls , 10 fours). With the opening stand of 130 when the first wicket fell the Afghan chase was well on-course and another upset was on the cards.

In a stunning display after the dismissal of their openers, Afghanistan did not lose any further wickets and romped home in grand style by 8 wickets . To the shock and dismay of Pakistan players . Rahmat Shah remained not out with an aggressive 77 ( 84 balls, 5 fours 2 sixes and fittingly Afghan Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi not out 48 ( 45 balls 4 fours) was there till the end to see the home to a historic win. Afghanistan finishing at 286/ 2 ( 49 overs). And the celebration at the dug-out said what the win meant to them

Picture : ICC/ X

For Pakistan it was bad day on office their third straight loss . The bowlers were below par : Shaheen Afridi 1/ 58 ( 10 overs), Hasan Ali 1/ 44 ( 10 overs), Haris Rauf 0/ 53 ( 8 overs), Usama Mir 0/ 55 ( 8 overs), Shadab Khan 0/ 49 ( 8 overs), Iftikhar Ahmed 0/ 27 ( 5 overs)

Match: World Cup 2023, 22nd Match
Venue: Chennai | Date: October 23, 2023