Pak vs Afg Highlights, Cricket World Cup 2023: Afghanistan created history on Monday, bagging their first-ever win against Pakistan in cricket history, sealing a eight-wicket win in ODI 22 of the ongoing 2023 World Cup, in Chennai. Chasing 283, Afghanistan reached 286/2 in 49 overs, courtesy of half-centuries from Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77*) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65). The Afghans received a strong start in the second innings from their openers, Gurbaz and Zadran. In cruise control mode, their partnership came to a sudden end in the 22nd over, as Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Gurbaz for 65 off 53 balls. Rahmat Shah came in to replace Gurbaz, and was building a steady partnership with Zadran. Ibrahim Zadran narrowly missed out on a ton, smacking 87 off 113 balls, and lost his wicket to Hasan Ali. Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (48*) hit the match-winning four as Afghanistan sealed a historic win.

Earlier, late blitz by Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan helped Pakistan impose 282/7 in 50 overs against Afghanistan in the ongoing World Cup encounter in Chennai. Both the batters scored 40 each, while Pakistan skipper Babar Azam scored 74(92) before getting out against Noor Ahmad. Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique gave Pakistan a good start after they won the toss and opted to bat. The pair added 56 runs for the open wicket before Azmatullah Omarzai provided Afghanistan with the first blow as he removed Imam for 12(22). Babar Azam and Shafique then kept things ticking forward before Noor Ahmad broke the 104-run stand between the duo. Shafique was trapped LBW for 58(75).

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023 points table: India cement No.1 spot with big win over New Zealand

Noor struck again shortly removing wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for 8(10). Mohammad Nabi then injected another blow and removed Saud Shakeel for 25(34). Babar Azam’s resistance also came to an end of 74(92).

PAK vs AFG Highlights:

– Pakistan won toss, opt to bat

-Both team make one change each in playing XI

-Imam and Shafique added 56 runs for the first wicket

-Abdullah Shafique got out for 58

-Babar Azam slams 30th ODI fifty

-Pakistan post 282/7 in 50 overs

-Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Rahmat Shah (77*) get half-centuries

-Hasmatullah Shahidi (48*) smacks match-winning four.

It was a visual treat for all the cricket fans on Thursday when Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by one wicket in the second ODI, sealing victory on the last ball. In the chase of 301, Pakistan got a strong foundation as opener Imam-ul-Haq scored 91 runs, but Afghanistan gave a tough fight as their bowlers got quick wickets in the last few overs. Later, Pakistan found their way back into the game with Shadab Khan smashing 48 off 35 balls and then Naseem Shah finishing the job with two boundaries in the last over.

Apart from the thrilling chase, the match also saw itself being embroiled in a controversy when Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi ran out Shadab at the non-striker’s end on the first delivery of the last over. Despite that shocking dismissal, Pakistan still managed to clinch a brilliant win.

Also Read: “People Were Focusing On Test”: Pat Cummins On Controversial Stumping In Ashes 2023

After the match, a video went viral on social media, showing players of both teams meeting and greeting each other. However, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was visibly angry and was seen exchanging a few words with his counterpart, Mohammad Nabi. Later, the umpires intervened, and the heated moment was pacified.

The reason behind Babar Azam’s anger was not clear in the video but it can be assumed that both the captains were discussing the controversial dismissal of Shadab.

Earlier in the match, swashbuckling opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a career-best 151 to lead Afghanistan to 300-5 against Pakistan. The 21-year-old scored an aggressive run-a-ball century and shared an opening stand of 227 with Ibrahim Zadran, who scored a 101-ball 80, after Afghanistan won the toss and batted.

Gurbaz knocked 14 boundaries and three sixes against a world-class attack that had reduced them to 59 all out on Tuesday. Gurbaz’s previous best was 145 against Bangladesh in Chattogram last month. Zadran also hit out brilliantly, knocking six boundaries and two sixes.

Babar Azam Scored His 16th International Duck

Babar Azam walked out to bat at number 3 after Fakhar Zaman fell early in the innings and got himself in trouble as Mujeeb Ur Rahman trapped him LBW for a 3-ball duck. The Pakistani captain drove the first ball firmly to mid-off. He did not middle the next ball – the last of the over – and it rolled to mid-on. The second over was bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Imam-ul-Haq played out the first four balls of the ball before flicking the fifth to switch the strike.

Also Read: Pakistan captain Babar Azam equals Imran Khan’s undesired record in ODIs

Mujeeb then pitched the ball on the off-stump. Babar Azam went forward to defend but missed the line completely, and the ball hit him on the front pad and he was given out leg-before.

Overall, it was for the 16th time that the Pakistan captain has been packed off for a duck in his international career so far.

Notably, every time Babar Azam scores a sensational knock, his fans were quick to compare him to some of the greatest batters to ever play the game of cricket. However, today as he got out for a duck, fans on social media trolled him left, right, and center. There were many who trolled by pointing out that out of form Virat Kohli got a century against Afghanistan but Babar got out for a duck.

Check out the reactions of the fans:

Babar Azam Sent An Important Message To His Team Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023:

Babar had a simple, yet strong message, for his team ahead of the busy schedule. “My message has always been to believe in yourself and make sure that you give your hundred per cent in the field”,

He added: “We enter this series with good momentum following our Test series win here and we are eager to build on it. We have a few new faces in the side and I wish them good luck for the challenges ahead. Most of the boys have been playing cricket in different leagues, but when you don the Pakistan star, it is a different feeling altogether,”