In a stunning turn of events, Afghanistan secured their first-ever victory against Pakistan in a One Day International (ODI) during the 2023 World Cup. The match in Chennai witnessed Afghanistan chasing down Pakistan’s formidable total of 282 with remarkable ease.
This victory ended a seven-match losing streak against Pakistan and marked the highest successful chase against Pakistan in a World Cup game.
Afghanistan’s Clinical Chase
From the outset, Afghanistan displayed a level of determination and focus in the WorldCup 2023 rarely seen before. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran crafted a solid foundation with a 130-run partnership, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under immense pressure.
The duo’s boundary-hitting abilities and exceptional running between the wickets capitalized on Pakistan’s fielding lapses, further exacerbating the Pakistani side’s situation.
Ibrahim’s Dominance and Gurbaz’s Aggression
Ibrahim Zadran’s explosive batting, particularly against Hasan Ali, set the tone for Afghanistan’s chase. His aggressive approach, coupled with Gurbaz’s calculated assault on Haris Rauf, allowed Afghanistan to amass 60 runs within the first nine overs. Both batsmen reached their respective fifties, showcasing their form and intent.
Rahmat Shah and Shahidi’s Composed Partnership
After the departure of the openers, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi seamlessly took charge of the chase. Their partnership of 96 unbeaten runs for the third wicket exhibited a remarkable calmness under pressure. This steady alliance effectively shut down any hopes of a Pakistani resurgence, as both batsmen rotated the strike and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Pakistan’s Bowling Woes
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to extract any significant advantage from the pitch, rendering them largely toothless in the face of Afghanistan’s determined onslaught. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, particularly from Shaheen Shah Afridi, the bowlers failed to consistently trouble the Afghan batsmen.
The Turning Points in Pakistan’s Innings
Pakistan’s innings could be divided into three distinct phases. Initially, they dominated the first 15 overs, with openers Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam exploiting the powerplay to amass a solid foundation.
However, Afghanistan’s spinners gradually wrested control, particularly Mohammad Nabi and the impactful Noor Ahmad. Their variations in pace and length effectively stemmed the run flow and led to crucial breakthroughs.
Noor Ahmad’s Impact
Noor Ahmad emerged as the game-changer for Afghanistan, delivering two pivotal blows to Pakistan’s batting lineup. His dismissal of Shafique through an LBW decision and the subsequent removal of Mohammad Rizwan significantly altered the course of the game.
Noor’s ability to exploit the surface and deceive the batsmen proved instrumental in Afghanistan’s defensive efforts.
Babar Azam’s Gritty Fifty
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s linchpin, displayed commendable resolve in reaching his fifty despite facing a disciplined Afghan bowling attack. His innings of 74 provided stability to Pakistan’s middle order, but his eventual dismissal at the hands of Noor Ahmad tilted the balance further in Afghanistan’s favor.
Iftikhar and Shadab’s Late Flourish
In the dying stages of their innings, Pakistan found renewed hope through the explosive partnership of Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan. Their combined assault yielded 73 runs off just 45 balls, salvaging Pakistan’s total and providing a glimmer of hope.
Summary
Afghanistan’s historic victory against Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup resulted from a collective effort marked by disciplined batting, effective spin bowling, and impeccable fielding. Pakistan’s inability to sustain its early momentum, coupled with Afghanistan’s clinical execution, proved to be the decisive factor. This match will go down in cricketing history as a watershed moment for Afghanistan, as they triumphed over their perennial rivals on the grandest stage.
