Chennai (Web Desk): In a historic first, Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in their fifth match of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Monday.
Creating history, one victory at a time ????????#CWC23 #PAKvAFG pic.twitter.com/ImtYjnMvIQ
— ICC (@ICC) October 23, 2023
While chasing 283 to win, Afghan openers gave an impressive start with Ibrahim Zadran hitting 87 runs on 113 balls, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 65 runs on 53 runs. Rahmat Shah contributed 77 runs and stood to the crease till the end while skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi also remained not out with contribution of 48 runs to reach their target with six balls left.
Pakistani skipper Babar Azam said after the match “Our plan was to total 280-290, and we achieved that … we were not up to the mark in bowling and fielding.”
Afghanistan, who stunned defending champions England earlier in the tournament, and Pakistan both now have two wins and three losses from their five group games and is now positioned at sixth, just one point below Pakistan.
Afghanistan's victory over Pakistan heats up the competition for a #CWC23 semi-final spot
— ICC (@ICC) October 24, 2023
More stats ➡️https://t.co/bb59vcxcgr pic.twitter.com/NpbdzJMYjr
It is pertinent to mention that the two sides have faced each other eight times while playing ODI cricket, with the score now standing at 7-1, after Afghanistan's first ever ODI win against the Pakistan.
