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Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik recently expressed his views on the performances of the Afghanistan and Pakistan cricket teams in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. According to Malik, Afghanistan outperformed Pakistan in the tournament, a sentiment echoed by legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram. Speaking to A Sports, Malik highlighted Afghanistan's superior cricketing display in comparison to Pakistan's efforts.
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"Afghanistan played better cricket than us. In my opinion, if we are just sticking with this World Cup then yes Afghanistan have played better cricket than us," said Malik.
Afghanistan concluded their World Cup campaign with a match against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite their loss, Afghanistan's journey in the World Cup was remarkable, often described as a fairytale. Under the leadership of Hasmatullah Shahidi, the team has garnered attention with their commendable performances, outshining their previous World Cup records.
In this edition of the World Cup, Afghanistan secured victories against three previous World Cup champions - Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering Afghanistan had only two World Cup victories prior to this tournament.
In their last group match against South Africa, Afghanistan showcased resilience and determination. Electing to bat first, they managed to put up a competitive total of 244 runs in their allotted 50 overs. A major contribution to this score came from Azmatullah Omarzai, who played an unbeaten innings of 97, which included seven fours and three sixes. However, South Africa ultimately clinched the game with a five-wicket victory.
On the other hand, Pakistan's performance in the World Cup has been less than stellar. With losses against teams like India, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Australia, Pakistan's campaign was plagued with challenges. Wasim Akram suggested that fatigue could have been a factor in the Pakistani team's underwhelming performance. As of their last group stage match, Pakistan, with four wins, was set to face England in Kolkata.
"Afghans looked stronger. Maybe, our boys looked fatigued because they were playing cricket continuously. Afghanistan cricketers looked better than Pakistan, there is no doubt," said Wasim Akram.
Both teams have had contrasting experiences in the tournament. While Afghanistan's display was a breakthrough, showcasing their growing prowess in international cricket, Pakistan's journey was a mix of highs and lows, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the sport and the intense competition in global tournaments like the World Cup.
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