World Cup 2023: Afghanistan make history, stun Pakistan by 8 wickets

Afghanistan caused another big upset in the World Cup when Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side beat Pakistan by 8 wickets. Chasing 283 for win in 50 overs, Afghanistan reached the target in 49 overs. This is the first win of Afghanistan against Pakistan in ODIs. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran laid a strong foundation, scoring 65 and 87 respectively. 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.


For Afghanistan , openers 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.

Opting to bat, Pakistan scored 282 for 7 in their World Cup match against Afghanistan. Captain Babar Azam top-scored with 74 off 92 deliveries while opener Abdullah Shafique contributed 58. Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed made 40 each down the order to take the score past 280. Noor Ahmad was the most successful Afghan bowler with figures of 3/49 while Naveen-ul-Haq chipped in with 2/52.

Expecting a slow pitch, the Afghans had fielded four spinners. The Pakistani openers Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq (17) began on a cautious note and managed a 56-run stand.

For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan bowled very tidy spells. Mohammad Nabi conceded just 31 runs in 10 overs, taking one wicket. Though Rashid Khan did not bag any wicket, he gave away just 41 runs in 10 overs.