ICC WC Match No. 22, Afghanistan VS Pakistan Played at Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India on 23 October 2023
Pakistan 282/7 (Babar Azam 74, Abdullah Shafique 58, Shadav Khan 40, Iftikhar Ahmed 40, Noor Ahmed 3/49, Naveen Ul Haq 2/52)
Afghanistan 286/2 in 49 Overs (Ibrahim Zadran 87, Rahmat Shah 77*, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 65, Hashmatullah Shahidi 48*, Hasan Ali 1/44. Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/58)
Afghanistan Won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran
On the slow, low, gripping and turning wicket of Chennai all guns blazing Afghanistan bruised, battered, and humiliated Pakistan defeating them by 8 wickets. World cricket witnessed another big upset again by Afghanistan after their historic win against reigning champions England.
Appearing with as many as four frontline spinners Afghans made Pakistan toil and sweat for runs as Pakistan managed scoring 282/7 only due to flamboyance of Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadav Khan blasting 73 runs in 42 balls in the 6th wicket partnership. Afghans cruised over and across the target scoring 286/2 with a over to spare.
It was a must win game for both the team as the tournament is approaching business session. Afghans handing over third defeat to the mighty neighbors virtually showed the exit door. World cricket knows that Afghanistan possesses three world class spinners in Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman. Yesterday they blooded 18 years old left arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmed.
A unique first time when Afghanistan could bowl 40 of the 50 overs by the spinners. The sluggish wicket gripped and turned. Pakistan opting to bat grafted and crawled as Afghan spinners kept free scoring Pakistan under check. However, Babar Azam scoring impressive 74 in 92 runs led the charge. Abdullah Shafique scoring 58 also looked impressive. Pakistan innings was only boosted in the last 10 overs due to the flamboyance of Iftikhar Ahmed (40) and Shadav Khan (40) adding 73 runs in 42 deliveries. At innings break 282/7 on the turning track appeared to be good competitive score. Four spinners led the seize with rookie Noor Ahmed rocking Pakistan taking 2/49. It is the first time in World Cup history spinners bowled 38 of the 50 overs.
Afghans had other ideas. They appeared with all guns blazing. Two of their blasters Ibrahim Zadran (87 in 113 balls) and Ramanullah Gurbaz (65) set the tone putting together 130 runs in the first wicket partnership. Rahmat Shah (77*) and Hasmatullah Shahidi (48*) adding unbroken 96 in the third wicket partnership earned a very impressive 8 wicket win against Pakistan. With this win, Afghanistan also joined the race for the semifinal. Losing three of their 5 matches Pakistan’s graduation to the top now ran into hot waters.
It was great watching the baptism of yet another highly talented Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed. The teenager grabbed 3 /49 including the prized scalp of Babar Azam. I am sure world cricket will hear a lot about him in the days ahead.
BDST: 0857 HRS, OCT 24, 2023
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