In the 22nd game of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan and Afghanistan locked horns in Chennai. Talking about the history between both teams, some white-ball games have been a thriller but the Green Brigade came out on top. Also, in the seven ODIs between both teams, the 1992 winners won all of them. Meanwhile, in this game, the former champions won the toss and elected to bat first.
Both teams wanted to bat first, given the kind of surface MA Chidambaram, Chennai. With the bat, the Babar Azam-led side had a decent start with Imam-ul-Haq (17) and Abdullah Shafique putting together 56 runs for the first wicket. The former was caught at mid-wicket by Naveen-ul-Haq off Azmatullah Omarzai. After this wicket, skipper Azam and Shafique (58) added another 54 runs before Noor Ahmed trapped the former for lbw.
Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (8) followed soon after trying to play a sweep shot off Noor. Saud Shakeel (25) started well but got out to Mohammad Nabi trying to accelerate. On the other hand, Azam who has been going through a low-scoring patch, managed to get his maiden fifty of the tournament with 74 off 92 balls. In the end, with Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan scoring 40 each, they reached a competitive total of 282/7.
Afghanistan pulls out another upset in ODI World Cup 2023
In reply, the Blue Brigade had a great start as Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a great platform to pull off an upset. The amassed 130 runs in just 21.1 overs. Before getting to Shaheen Afridi, Gurbaz hit 68 off 53 balls including nine fours and a six. After this, the team didn't lose their composure and Rahmat Shah and Zadran added another 60 runs.
The latter scored 87 runs before being caught behind by Rizwan off Hasan Ali. At this stage, the likes of Hashmatullah Shahidi (77*) and Shah (48*) helped the team chase down the target with one over left and eight wickets in hand.
This is how Twitter reacted
23rd October 2022 vs India
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 23, 2023
23rd October 2023 vs Afghanistan
Dates Pakistan would never want to remember. This is certainly the shutting of any sneaking window they thought might open for a semis spot #PAKvsAFG #PakistanCricketTeam #Afghanistan #ICCCricketWorldCup
I am seeing on my timeline almost every person is abusing or angry over Pakistani team’s performance in World Cup. But if i will say something, they will paint me as anti-pakistani. #PAKvsAFG
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) October 23, 2023
LIVE result of #PAKvsAFG match. pic.twitter.com/2JdLI7877r
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) October 23, 2023
Let's begin the party guys 🤣🔥#AFGvsPAK #PAKvsAFG pic.twitter.com/JTxwMn8Pnh
— Sachya (@sachya2002) October 23, 2023
#PAKvAFG
— Kohli Das 👌👑⭐ (@kingsuper1816) October 23, 2023
Ajay Jadeja looks enjoying Pakistan's downfall!! Looks like he played his part perfectly as mentor #PAKvsAFG pic.twitter.com/PAHMa7lKYE
History.
— VINEETH𓃵🦖 (@sololoveee) October 23, 2023
This is the first time the top 3 Afghanistan batters have scored 50+ in a World Cup match.#PAKvsAFG
pic.twitter.com/vbRmFIja2q
Dear Pakistan Cricket Team, stop playing cricket on 23rd October.#PAKvsAFG #AFGvsPAK
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) October 23, 2023
Couple of times in the past - two Asia Cup games - you bailed them out, but this time even you aren’t there @iNaseemShah Don’t think Pakistan have anyone to get them out of the jail this time. #PAKvsAFG https://t.co/9SAjZqu0lA
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) October 23, 2023
If Afghanistan wins tonight, I wouldn't call it an upset. It is the result of their efforts and great determination. 💙😍🤞🏻#PAKvsAFG pic.twitter.com/I9gjY3uF5H
— Lalit Jha (@financesperm) October 23, 2023
THE FUTURE OF AFGHAN BATTING HAS PRODUCED A MASTERCLASS...!!!
— VINEETH𓃵🦖 (@sololoveee) October 23, 2023
Take a bow, Ibrahim 🔥#PAKvsAFG
pic.twitter.com/jDejrw0aad