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Afghanistan cricket team set another upset in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on October 23 as they beat Pakistan by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After winning the toss, the Men in Green opted to bat first and posted 282/7 in their 50 overs.
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While Abdullah Shafique added 58 runs off 75 balls, skipper Babar Azam was the highest scorer as he cored 74 off 92 deliveries before falling off a brilliant catch by Mohammad Nabi. Noor Ahmed, who was playing his first game, finished with the figures of 3/49 in his 10 over spell, with Naveen-ul-Haq scalping two wickets and Nabi and Azmatullah taking a wicket each.
However, in the second inning, Afghanistan batters gave a good start with the top three reaching their half-centuries. But out of all, Ibrahim Zadran stood out with his knock of 87 off 113 deliveries in Afghanistan’s win. The Player of the Match winner later dedicated his trophy to the Afghans who had been deported from Pakistan.
“I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country. I want to dedicate this man of the match award to those who are sent back to Afghanistan from Pakistan,” Zadran said in the post-match presentation.
Talking more about his style of play against the Babar Azam-led side, Zadran said, “I wanted to go out there with a positive mind and intent and I did it. We (Gurbaz and myself) have played a lot of cricket with each other, we have good communication while running between the wickets as we have been playing together since under-16 days,” he further added.
With their second win from five matches so far in the tournament, Afghanistan are sixth in the standings with four points. On their other hand, their rivals from last match, Pakistan are just above them with a comparatively better NRR. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side will next take on Sri Lanka at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 30.
