World Cup: Afghanistan register their first-ever ODI win over Pakistan
In yet another anti-climax, Afghanistan stunned Pakistan in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup encounter in Chennai. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah slammed half-centuries as the Afghans chased down 283 against Pakistan, who were sloppy in the field. Earlier, teen sensation Noor Ahmed took a three-fer, while Naveen-ul-Haq took two wickets. Notably, Afghanistan have claimed their first-ever ODI win over Pakistan.
A look at the match summary
Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq shared a 56-run opening stand after Pakistan elected to bat. Although Imam departed, Shafique and Babar Azam took Pakistan past 100. However, they couldn't convert their fifties into tons. Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed propelled Pakistan to 282/7. Afghanistan had a 130-run opening partnership, with Gurbaz and Zadran shining forth. Rahmat and Hashmatullah Shahidi drove them to a comfortable win.
Zadran slams fifth half-century in ODIs
Zadran completely dominated the Pakistan bowlers along with his opening partner Gurbaz. Both Zadran and Gurbaz exhibited their attacking strokes throughout the first Powerplay. While Gurbaz departed, Zadran scored his fifth ODI half-century despite limping around due to cramps. The latter went on to smash 87 off 113 balls, a knock laced with 10 fours. Hasan Ali dismissed Zadran in the 34th over.
Highest WC score by an Afghanistan opener
Zadran has become only the fourth Afghanistan opener to record a 50+ score in the ODI World Cups. Gurbaz (80 vs England, Delhi, 2023), Rahmat (62 vs West Indies, Leeds, WC 2019), and Javed Ahmadi (51 vs Scotland, Dunedin, WC 2015) are the other three. However, Zadran now has the highest score by an Afghanistan opener in the World Cup.
Fastest Afghan batter to 1,000 ODI runs
Zadran became the fastest Afghanistan batter to complete 1,000 runs in ODI cricket. He took 24 innings of as many games to complete 1,000 runs in the format. Zadran went past his opening partner Gurbaz, who achieved this feat in 27 innings. Only 16 batters have reached the milestone faster than Ibrahim. Zadran became the 14th Afghanistan batter with 1,000 ODI runs.
Another record for Afghanistan
Afghanistan were 60/0 at the end of 10 overs. This is now their third-highest first Powerplay total in the World Cup. The highest such score is 79/0, which came when Gubraz and Zadran paired up against England in the ongoing edition.
A record-breaking partnership for Afghanistan
Gurbaz and Zadran entered the record books by stitching a record 130-run stand. This is now the highest opening stand for Afghanistan in the ODI World Cups. The Afghan pair recorded its second 100+ partnership in WC 2023 (also 114 against England). Notably, Gurbaz and Zadran now have the joint-most 100+ partnerships for Afghanistan in ODI cricket (4).
Noor Ahmed takes a three-fer
Noor Ahmad, who played his fourth ODI, was the pick of Afghanistan's bowlers in the match. He took three wickets for 49 runs in 10 overs. Ahmad dismissed the dangerous Abdullah Shafique, which reduced Pakistan to 110/2. In his next over, the Afghan spinner stopped Mohammad Rizwan (8) from going big. Ahmad also ended Babar's bid to complete his century.
Best figures for Afghanistan on WC debut
As per Opta, Ahmed recorded the best figures by an Afghan bowler on World Cup debut. Notably, only Mohammad Nabi (4/30) and S Zadran (4/38) have taken more wickets in a match for Afghanistan in the tournament.
A record-breaking win for Afghanistan
As mentioned, Afghanistan have claimed their first-ever ODI and World Cup win over Pakistan. The former had lost each of their previous seven ODIs to Pakistan. Three of these defeats came earlier this year. Notably, Afghanistan have won only their third World Cup encounter. One of these wins came against England in this edition. Their only other WC win is against Scotland.
A 58-run knock from Shafique powered Pakistan
Shafique showed positive intent from the outset. He stitched an opening partnership of 56 runs with Imam. Although Imam departed on 17, Shafique went on to score his third half-century in ODI cricket. This was his third 50-plus score in the ongoing World Cup. He smashed 58 off 75 balls, a knock studded with 5 fours and 2 sixes.
Babar Azam races past 5,500 runs in ODIs
Babar, who scored a 92-ball 74, became the 12th Pakistan batter to score 5,500-plus runs in ODI cricket. He is only behind Inzaman-ul-Haq (11,701), Mohammad Yousuf (9,554), Saeed Anwar (8,824), Shahid Afridi (8,027), Shoaib Malik (7,534), Javed Miandad (7,381), Younis Khan (7,249), Saleem Malik (7,170), Mohammad Hafeez (6,614), Ijaz Ahmed (6,564), and Ramiz Raja (5,841) in terms of ODI runs.
A look at other notable numbers
As per Bharath Seervi, this was only the second instance of Afghanistan's top three scoring 50+ in an ODI. Afghanistan's 283 is now the highest target chased by them in the format. This was also the highest successful run-chase against Pakistan in ODI World Cups. Notably, Afghanistan are the only side with two 100+ opening stands in World Cup 2023.
Gurbaz, Rahmat, and Hashmatullah Shahidi play match-winning knocks
While Zadran was the top-scorer for Afghanistan, Gurbaz, Rahmat, and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (48*) also starred with match-winning knocks. Gurbaz smashed a 53-ball 65 (9 fours and 1 six). It was his second 50+ score of WC 2023. Rahmat slammed an unbeaten 77(84). The knock was studded with 5 fours and 2 sixes. He also became the first Afghan batter with 400 WC runs.
