Top order fire Afghanistan to famous win against Pakistan

Reuters :
Afghanistan’s top order fired to secure a memorable eight-wicket victory against 1992 champions Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup in Chennai on Monday.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and opener Abdullah Shafique smashed half-centuries and the team plundered 91 runs from the final 10 overs to post 282-7 on a turning track at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

However, Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) combined in a breakneck opening stand of 130 to give their side the perfect start.

Rahmat Shah (77) then joined skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (48) in an unbroken 96-run stand to secure Afghanistan’s second victory of the tournament, which was also their first ODI win against Pakistan.

Noor Ahmad was the most successful Afghan bowler with figures of 3/49 while Naveen-ul-Haq chipped in with 2/52.

Brief Scores:
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).

Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with unbeaten knocks of 77 and 48 respectively. Ibrahim Zadran was named Player of the Match for his knock of 87.

Senior Afghan player Mohammad Nabi after the match said that the win is a big moment for the whole of Afghanistan. “We have played eight games against Pakistan, and won in a big event.

It’s a lovely moment today. We beat England as well, and now Pakistan. The team is confident now,” he said.

Afghanistan had earlier beat defending champions England by 68 runs in this World Cup.

It was Pakistan’s first loss in an ODI against Afghanistan, which bettered its previous highest successful ODI chase of 274 made against United Arab Emirates nine years ago.

A third successive pushed Pakistan into a must-win situation for a place in the semifinals with only four points from five matches. Afghanistan also kept its slim hopes alive with four points in as many games as moved into the No. 6 spot, behind Pakistan on net run-rate, leaving England at the bottom of the table.