Afghanistan Shocks Pakistan with an 8-Wicket Victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup

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In a thrilling match in the ICC Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan pulled off another upset by defeating Pakistan by eight wickets. The Afghan team successfully chased down Pakistan’s target of 283 runs with six balls to spare. Openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz played pivotal roles in setting up this incredible victory. Let’s dive into the details of this remarkable match.

Key Highlights

1. Afghanistan’s Spectacular Chase

Afghanistan’s remarkable chase of 283 runs was spearheaded by their openers, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Zadran’s knock of 87 runs off 113 balls and Gurbaz’s aggressive innings of 65 runs off 53 balls laid a solid foundation for their team. Their partnership was crucial in setting the tone for Afghanistan’s pursuit of victory.

2. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Contributions

After the openers provided a strong start, Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi ensured that Afghanistan maintained their momentum. Shah’s unbeaten 77 and Shahidi’s 48 not out helped Afghanistan reach their target comfortably. Their composed batting and partnership played a significant role in securing the win.

3. Afghanistan’s Second Upset

This victory marked Afghanistan’s second upset in the tournament, following their shocking win over the defending champions, England. Their consistent performances against stronger teams in the competition have made them a team to watch out for.

4. Pakistan’s Batting Effort

Pakistan, after winning the toss, posted a total of 282 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Captain Babar Azam was the top-scorer for Pakistan with 74 runs off 92 deliveries. Opener Abdullah Shafique contributed 58 runs to the total, and late-order batsmen Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed made valuable contributions with 40 runs each.

5. Afghanistan’s Bowling Prowess

Afghanistan’s bowlers played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan’s total. Noor Ahmad emerged as the most successful bowler for Afghanistan, claiming three wickets for 49 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq supported him well with two wickets for 52 runs. Their disciplined bowling efforts prevented Pakistan from posting an even more challenging target.

FAQs

Q1: How did Afghanistan win against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup?

A1: Afghanistan secured an 8-wicket victory by successfully chasing down Pakistan’s target of 283 runs. Openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a solid start, and key contributions from Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi ensured Afghanistan’s win.

Q2: Is this Afghanistan’s first upset win in the World Cup?

A2: No, this is Afghanistan’s second upset win in the tournament. They previously shocked the cricketing world with a victory over the defending champions, England.

Q3: Who were the standout performers for Pakistan in this match?

A3: Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, was the top-scorer for his team with 74 runs. Opener Abdullah Shafique, Shadab Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed also made valuable contributions to Pakistan’s total.

Q4: Who were Afghanistan’s star bowlers in the match?

A4: Noor Ahmad was the most successful Afghan bowler, taking three wickets for 49 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq also chipped in with two crucial wickets.

Match Summary

Pakistan: 282 for 7 in 50 overs (Babar Azam 74, Abdullah Shafique 58; Noor Ahmad 3/49, Naveen-ul-Haq 2/52).
Afghanistan: 286 for 2 in 49 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 87, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 65, Rahmat Shah 77 not out; Hasan Ali 1/44).

In a stunning turn of events, Afghanistan’s victory against Pakistan will be remembered as one of the major upsets in the ICC Cricket World Cup. Their consistent performances in the tournament highlight the growth of cricket in Afghanistan and make them a team to watch out for in the future.