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World Cup 2023 | Afghanistan thrash Pakistan by 8 wickets, register historic WC win

Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 8 wickets as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah scored half-humbling Pakistan in what is a coming-of-age moment for Afghan cricket as they registered their first ODI win against the Men in Green. After defeating defending champions England, Afghanistan's win on Monday proved that they are not minnows anymore.

Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 8 wickets as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah scored half-humbling Pakistan in what is a coming-of-age moment for Afghan cricket as they registered their first ODI win against the Men in Green. After defeating defending champions England, Afghanistan's win on Monday proved that they are not minnows anymore.
File: Afghanistan Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi celebrating the win over Pakistan in World Cup
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By ETV Bharat English Team

Published : Oct 23, 2023, 1:48 PM IST

Updated : Oct 23, 2023, 11:00 PM IST

Chennai (Tamil Nadu): A spirited Afghanistan team continued its giant-killing spree to literally push Pakistan on the brink of elimination with a eight-wicket victory in a World Cup game on Monday.

On a challenging Chennai track, a target of 283 was certainly not the easiest of chases but Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65 off 53 balls) and Ibrahim Zadran (87 off 113 balls) gave a blistering start with 130 run partnership which set the game for them.

Afghanistan batters exposed the frailties of Pakistan's bowling unit, which just didn't turn up on the day in chase of the 283-run target in 49 overs. On previous occasions, Afghanistan was missing out on the final flourishes but today all four batters played their best cricket and didn't panic in what was their highest run-chase in history of 50 over format.

Afghanistan now has two wins in five games after beating defending champions England in New Delhi and Pakistan in Chennai. With four points they are now placed sixth in the points table. While Pakistan faced the hat trick of defeats as they have made it very hard for themselves to find a semifinal spot.

Afghanistan's number 3 batter, Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 77 off 84 balls and showed admirable temperament as Pakistan bowlers were unable to put pressure in middle overs. His partner skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi played crucial innings of unbeaten 48 off 45 balls as the duo added 96 runs for the third wicket.

The match that was played on the same track as the India versus Australia game had both grip and turn on offer but 282 for 7 by Pakistan was by no means a poor effort if one takes the quality spin bowling unit that Afghanistan possesses.

In reply to the chase, Gurbaz and Zadran put up a century stand. Gurbaz hit nine fours and a six and wasn't overawed by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan, or Haris Rauf before getting out on 65 off 53 balls. He also hit four boundaries in an over to Haris Rauf.

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam struck a composed half-century before Iftikhar Ahmad (40 off 27 balls) and Shadab Khan's (40 off 38 balls) cameos guided Pakistan to a reasonably good total if one takes the track into account.

Opener Abdullah Shafique made 58 off 75 balls and Babar got 74 off 92 balls, but had it not been for the efforts of Iftikhar Ahmed and the returning Shadab Khan, Pakistan would have finished with far less than what they eventually achieved.

Expecting a slow pitch, the Afghans moved in with four spinners. However, the track turned out to be better than expected. Afghan spinners Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan operated in tandem to keep things under control, not allowing the two batters in the middle to free their arms.

Updates from the match as it unfolded:

  • 9.53 pm
    Afghanistan has defeated Pakistan for the first time in ODIs and it came when it needed the most. Also, yet another win which opens the table completely now. However, Pakistan now has lost three in a row. Afghanistan on the other hand, are giant killers at the moment as they beat Pakistan after defeating England earlier.
  • 9.45 pm
    Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah are playing risk-free cricket as they are getting closer to the target with every run. Rahmat Shah (61*) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (42*) both rotate strike superbly along with the occasional boundaries. They 19 off 24 to finish things off.
  • 9.29 pm
    Fifty partnership between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah off just 57 balls. Rahmat Shah completed his fifty and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is batting in the middle as they approach to the target. Currently, the equation is 35 runs and 36 balls.
  • 8.49 pm
    Afghanistan mainstay Ibrahim Zadran is out on 87 as Hassan Ali claims the prized wicket. Even after this, Afghanistan is comfortably placed but can Pakistan pick a few more to level things up?
  • 8.30 pm
    Fifty partnership between Ibrahim Zadran, who is nearing his century, and Rahmat Shah. So far, together they have scored 53 off 59 balls as they continue to dominate over Pakistan.
  • 8.15 pm
    Pakistan is building pressure as Afghan batters haven't hit a boundary in the last 30 balls. Haris Rauf who gave 17 runs in the first over went for just 23 in the next 5 overs with a maiden.
  • 8.00 pm
    Afghanistan batters continue to find singles and boundaries as Pakistani bowlers still struggle to build pressure. Ibrahim Zadran getting cramps as the Chennai weather comes into action.
  • 7.46 pm
    Shaheen Afridi breaks the century partnership between Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. He took the wicket of Gurbaz to provide a much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan. The terrific 130-run partnership came to an end after Gurbaz went for a cut shot over the third man but the ball took the edge of the bat and landed into the hands of Usama Mir. He made a blistering 65 off 53 balls with nine fours and a six. Rahmat Shah came at number three.
    Highest stands for Afghanistan in World Cups (any wicket)
    133 - Ikram Alikhil & Rahmat Shah vs WI, Leeds, 2019
    130 - Ibrahim Zadran & R Gurbaz v PAK, Chennai, 2023 (today)*
    121 - Azmatullah Omarzai & H Shahidi vs IND, Delhi, 2023
    114 - Ibrahim Zadran & Rahmanullah Gurbaz v ENG, Delhi, 2023
    Most hundred stands for Afghanistan in ODIs
    4 - H Shahidi & Rahmat Shah
    4 - Ibrahim Zadran & R Gurbaz
    3 - Ibrahim Zadran & Rahamat Shah
  • 7.38 pm
    Pakistan bowlers look clueless while bowling to Afghan batters who are dominating the game. They are also not getting support from their fielders in the outfield.
  • 7.23 pm
    A cracking knock this has been from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The Afghan opener raises his fourth ODI fifty off just 38 balls. Zadran along with Ibrahim Zadran has given their side a perfect start in this tall chase of 283. nine-fours in Zadran's knock so far and he has looked absolutely untroubled so far against this quality Pakistan bowling attack.
  • 7.15 pm
    Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran gets to 0his fifth ODI half-century off just 54 deliveries as Afghanistan dominates the game after a blistering start. He hit eight fours so far in his innings. Pakistan needs a breakthrough to get back into the game.
  • 6.51 pm
    Rahmaullah Gurbaz hit four boundaries in an over against the sheer pace of Haris Rauf. Afghanistan cruising towards their target as they are 50 up inside 8 overs.
  • 6.33 pm
    Afghanistan batters have started off well and didn't let Pakistani bowlers settle down.
  • 6.18 pm
    Afghanistan have started their innings. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have opened the innings for Afghanistan. Zadran scored three boundaries inside two overs while speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali didn't get any swing in the first two overs.
  • 5.40 pm
    Pakistan set the target of 283 runs after the final flourish from Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmad. Pakistan managed to score 282 in their 50 overs with the loss of 7 wickets. Skipper Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique scored the fifties to help Pakistan to post a decent target. The 20-year-old Noor Ahmed took 3 crucial wickets of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Abdullah Shafique. Pacer Naveen Ul Haq, took 2 wickets while Omarzai and Nabi managed to pick one wicket each.
  • 5.36 pm
    Iftikhar Ahmad departs after giving a final flourish for Pakistan. He scored 40 off 27 balls with two fours and four sixes. He again tried to clear the ropes but gave a simple catch to Azmatullah Omarzai.
  • 5.24 pm
    Pakistan batters are on fire as they scored 52 off the last 5 overs. Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan provided a final flourish for Pakistan by scoring 50 partnerships in quick time.
  • 5.09 pm
    Pakistan batters taking on Afghanistan bowlers as they eyeing 275+ targets. They have scored 36 in the last 5 overs.
  • 4.55 pm
    Pakistan skipper Babar Azam returned to the Pavilion after giving an easy catch to Mohammad Nabi standing at extra cover. He scored 74 off 92.
  • 4.38 pm
    Pakistan continues to lose wickets at regular intervals as whenever they try to increase the run rate they lose a wicket. Afghanistan has done a good job by not letting the game get away from their hands.
  • 4.20 pm
    Afghanistan's experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi took the wicket of Saud Shakeel, who came down the ground to hit him for a six but ended up giving an easy catch to Rashid Khan in deep.
  • 3.55 pm
    Afghanistan spinners are not letting batters score much. Pakistan has scored only 8 runs in the last 20 balls.
  • 3.32 pm
    Appeal for LBW by Afghanistan players but on-field umpire said not out. Hashmatullah Shahidi asked for a review and the decision third umpire overturned the decision as Shafique was caught in front of the stumps when the ball hit his pads. He walked back to the pavilion soon after his half-century.
  • 3.30 pm
    Fifty partnerships between Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique in 71 balls. Afghanistan needs to control flow of runs to create some pressure on batters.
  • 3.20 pm
    Opener Abdullah Shafique completes his third ODI half-century. This is his second half-century of the World Cup. He also has a hundred in the marquee tournament against Bangladesh.
  • 3.13 pm
    Wrist spinners from the ends as Left-arm chinaman spinner Noor Ahmed comes into the attack for the first time in his World Cup debut match. Abdullah Shafiq nearing his fifty.
  • 3.04 pm
    Rashid Khan comes into the attack in the 15th over.
  • 2.53 pm
    Babar Azam looks in good touch as he scores a boundary on the very first ball of the match. Mohammad Nabi has bowled an exceptional spell so far. He has given only four runs in his first three overs.
  • 2.45 pm
    Pakistan lost their first wicket as opener Imam Ul Haq walked back to the pavilion after giving a sitter at covers. He made 17 off 22 with two fours. Captain Babar Azam comes into the middle at number three.
  • 2.39 pm
    Fifty up for Pakistan as Abdullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq stitched an unbeaten fifty partnership. Shafique continues his form as he is nearing his half-century.
  • 2.28 pm
    After settling their eyes on the ball, the Pak openers, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique have finally changed gears and are now going after the Afghan bowlers.
  • 2.14 pm
    After deciding to bat first, Pak have embarked their innings slowly, with both the openers eyeing on a solid start.
  • 1.55 pm

The National Anthems of both the teams are played and Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-Ul-Haq came out to bat.

Teams: Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan(wicket-keeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu): A spirited Afghanistan team continued its giant-killing spree to literally push Pakistan on the brink of elimination with a eight-wicket victory in a World Cup game on Monday.

On a challenging Chennai track, a target of 283 was certainly not the easiest of chases but Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65 off 53 balls) and Ibrahim Zadran (87 off 113 balls) gave a blistering start with 130 run partnership which set the game for them.

Afghanistan batters exposed the frailties of Pakistan's bowling unit, which just didn't turn up on the day in chase of the 283-run target in 49 overs. On previous occasions, Afghanistan was missing out on the final flourishes but today all four batters played their best cricket and didn't panic in what was their highest run-chase in history of 50 over format.

Afghanistan now has two wins in five games after beating defending champions England in New Delhi and Pakistan in Chennai. With four points they are now placed sixth in the points table. While Pakistan faced the hat trick of defeats as they have made it very hard for themselves to find a semifinal spot.

Afghanistan's number 3 batter, Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 77 off 84 balls and showed admirable temperament as Pakistan bowlers were unable to put pressure in middle overs. His partner skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi played crucial innings of unbeaten 48 off 45 balls as the duo added 96 runs for the third wicket.

The match that was played on the same track as the India versus Australia game had both grip and turn on offer but 282 for 7 by Pakistan was by no means a poor effort if one takes the quality spin bowling unit that Afghanistan possesses.

In reply to the chase, Gurbaz and Zadran put up a century stand. Gurbaz hit nine fours and a six and wasn't overawed by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan, or Haris Rauf before getting out on 65 off 53 balls. He also hit four boundaries in an over to Haris Rauf.

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam struck a composed half-century before Iftikhar Ahmad (40 off 27 balls) and Shadab Khan's (40 off 38 balls) cameos guided Pakistan to a reasonably good total if one takes the track into account.

Opener Abdullah Shafique made 58 off 75 balls and Babar got 74 off 92 balls, but had it not been for the efforts of Iftikhar Ahmed and the returning Shadab Khan, Pakistan would have finished with far less than what they eventually achieved.

Expecting a slow pitch, the Afghans moved in with four spinners. However, the track turned out to be better than expected. Afghan spinners Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan operated in tandem to keep things under control, not allowing the two batters in the middle to free their arms.

Updates from the match as it unfolded:

  • 9.53 pm
    Afghanistan has defeated Pakistan for the first time in ODIs and it came when it needed the most. Also, yet another win which opens the table completely now. However, Pakistan now has lost three in a row. Afghanistan on the other hand, are giant killers at the moment as they beat Pakistan after defeating England earlier.
  • 9.45 pm
    Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah are playing risk-free cricket as they are getting closer to the target with every run. Rahmat Shah (61*) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (42*) both rotate strike superbly along with the occasional boundaries. They 19 off 24 to finish things off.
  • 9.29 pm
    Fifty partnership between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah off just 57 balls. Rahmat Shah completed his fifty and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is batting in the middle as they approach to the target. Currently, the equation is 35 runs and 36 balls.
  • 8.49 pm
    Afghanistan mainstay Ibrahim Zadran is out on 87 as Hassan Ali claims the prized wicket. Even after this, Afghanistan is comfortably placed but can Pakistan pick a few more to level things up?
  • 8.30 pm
    Fifty partnership between Ibrahim Zadran, who is nearing his century, and Rahmat Shah. So far, together they have scored 53 off 59 balls as they continue to dominate over Pakistan.
  • 8.15 pm
    Pakistan is building pressure as Afghan batters haven't hit a boundary in the last 30 balls. Haris Rauf who gave 17 runs in the first over went for just 23 in the next 5 overs with a maiden.
  • 8.00 pm
    Afghanistan batters continue to find singles and boundaries as Pakistani bowlers still struggle to build pressure. Ibrahim Zadran getting cramps as the Chennai weather comes into action.
  • 7.46 pm
    Shaheen Afridi breaks the century partnership between Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. He took the wicket of Gurbaz to provide a much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan. The terrific 130-run partnership came to an end after Gurbaz went for a cut shot over the third man but the ball took the edge of the bat and landed into the hands of Usama Mir. He made a blistering 65 off 53 balls with nine fours and a six. Rahmat Shah came at number three.
    Highest stands for Afghanistan in World Cups (any wicket)
    133 - Ikram Alikhil & Rahmat Shah vs WI, Leeds, 2019
    130 - Ibrahim Zadran & R Gurbaz v PAK, Chennai, 2023 (today)*
    121 - Azmatullah Omarzai & H Shahidi vs IND, Delhi, 2023
    114 - Ibrahim Zadran & Rahmanullah Gurbaz v ENG, Delhi, 2023
    Most hundred stands for Afghanistan in ODIs
    4 - H Shahidi & Rahmat Shah
    4 - Ibrahim Zadran & R Gurbaz
    3 - Ibrahim Zadran & Rahamat Shah
  • 7.38 pm
    Pakistan bowlers look clueless while bowling to Afghan batters who are dominating the game. They are also not getting support from their fielders in the outfield.
  • 7.23 pm
    A cracking knock this has been from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The Afghan opener raises his fourth ODI fifty off just 38 balls. Zadran along with Ibrahim Zadran has given their side a perfect start in this tall chase of 283. nine-fours in Zadran's knock so far and he has looked absolutely untroubled so far against this quality Pakistan bowling attack.
  • 7.15 pm
    Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran gets to 0his fifth ODI half-century off just 54 deliveries as Afghanistan dominates the game after a blistering start. He hit eight fours so far in his innings. Pakistan needs a breakthrough to get back into the game.
  • 6.51 pm
    Rahmaullah Gurbaz hit four boundaries in an over against the sheer pace of Haris Rauf. Afghanistan cruising towards their target as they are 50 up inside 8 overs.
  • 6.33 pm
    Afghanistan batters have started off well and didn't let Pakistani bowlers settle down.
  • 6.18 pm
    Afghanistan have started their innings. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have opened the innings for Afghanistan. Zadran scored three boundaries inside two overs while speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali didn't get any swing in the first two overs.
  • 5.40 pm
    Pakistan set the target of 283 runs after the final flourish from Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmad. Pakistan managed to score 282 in their 50 overs with the loss of 7 wickets. Skipper Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique scored the fifties to help Pakistan to post a decent target. The 20-year-old Noor Ahmed took 3 crucial wickets of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Abdullah Shafique. Pacer Naveen Ul Haq, took 2 wickets while Omarzai and Nabi managed to pick one wicket each.
  • 5.36 pm
    Iftikhar Ahmad departs after giving a final flourish for Pakistan. He scored 40 off 27 balls with two fours and four sixes. He again tried to clear the ropes but gave a simple catch to Azmatullah Omarzai.
  • 5.24 pm
    Pakistan batters are on fire as they scored 52 off the last 5 overs. Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan provided a final flourish for Pakistan by scoring 50 partnerships in quick time.
  • 5.09 pm
    Pakistan batters taking on Afghanistan bowlers as they eyeing 275+ targets. They have scored 36 in the last 5 overs.
  • 4.55 pm
    Pakistan skipper Babar Azam returned to the Pavilion after giving an easy catch to Mohammad Nabi standing at extra cover. He scored 74 off 92.
  • 4.38 pm
    Pakistan continues to lose wickets at regular intervals as whenever they try to increase the run rate they lose a wicket. Afghanistan has done a good job by not letting the game get away from their hands.
  • 4.20 pm
    Afghanistan's experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi took the wicket of Saud Shakeel, who came down the ground to hit him for a six but ended up giving an easy catch to Rashid Khan in deep.
  • 3.55 pm
    Afghanistan spinners are not letting batters score much. Pakistan has scored only 8 runs in the last 20 balls.
  • 3.32 pm
    Appeal for LBW by Afghanistan players but on-field umpire said not out. Hashmatullah Shahidi asked for a review and the decision third umpire overturned the decision as Shafique was caught in front of the stumps when the ball hit his pads. He walked back to the pavilion soon after his half-century.
  • 3.30 pm
    Fifty partnerships between Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique in 71 balls. Afghanistan needs to control flow of runs to create some pressure on batters.
  • 3.20 pm
    Opener Abdullah Shafique completes his third ODI half-century. This is his second half-century of the World Cup. He also has a hundred in the marquee tournament against Bangladesh.
  • 3.13 pm
    Wrist spinners from the ends as Left-arm chinaman spinner Noor Ahmed comes into the attack for the first time in his World Cup debut match. Abdullah Shafiq nearing his fifty.
  • 3.04 pm
    Rashid Khan comes into the attack in the 15th over.
  • 2.53 pm
    Babar Azam looks in good touch as he scores a boundary on the very first ball of the match. Mohammad Nabi has bowled an exceptional spell so far. He has given only four runs in his first three overs.
  • 2.45 pm
    Pakistan lost their first wicket as opener Imam Ul Haq walked back to the pavilion after giving a sitter at covers. He made 17 off 22 with two fours. Captain Babar Azam comes into the middle at number three.
  • 2.39 pm
    Fifty up for Pakistan as Abdullah Shafique and Imam ul Haq stitched an unbeaten fifty partnership. Shafique continues his form as he is nearing his half-century.
  • 2.28 pm
    After settling their eyes on the ball, the Pak openers, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique have finally changed gears and are now going after the Afghan bowlers.
  • 2.14 pm
    After deciding to bat first, Pak have embarked their innings slowly, with both the openers eyeing on a solid start.
  • 1.55 pm

The National Anthems of both the teams are played and Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-Ul-Haq came out to bat.

Teams: Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan(wicket-keeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad.

Last Updated : Oct 23, 2023, 11:00 PM IST

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