Afghanistan have finally crossed the final hurdle. After a few close finishes, Afghanistan beat Babar Azam’s Pakistan pulling off their highest successful run chase in ODIs to create history at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on October 23. A superb bowling display from teenager Noor Ahmad on World Cup debut and half-centuries from openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah helped Afghanistan win by eight wickets with six balls to spare. The loss has put Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-final in jeopardy as they will have to face tough opponents ahead.
Babar won the toss and opted to bat first. Abdullah Shafique ended Pakistan's six-drought in the first powerplay overs. Imam-ul-Haq hit a few boundaries as well. After 10 overs, Pakistan were 56 for no loss. Then Imam played a pull shot straight to Naveen-ul-Haq to lose his wicket off Azmatullah Omarzai's bowling. Shafique reached his half-century from 60 balls. The partnership between him and Babar was broken by 18-year-old spinner Noor Ahmad on his World Cup debut as DRS went Afghanistan's way. Shafique scored 58 runs from 75 balls including five fours and a couple of sixes.
Mohammad Rizwan got off the mark with a six. In the next over, he became Noor's second victim. The flow of runs slowed down in the middle overs as Babar and Saud Shakeel looked to stitch a partnership. Shakeel became Mohammad Nabi's only wicket of the day. He scored 25 runs from 34 balls. Babar reached his half-century from 69 balls. Babar looked to accelerate in the 42nd over. He hit Noor for a six and then lost his wicket to a short ball. He scored 74 runs from 92 balls including four fours and a six.
Iftikhar Ahmed hit Rashid Khan for a six to get going. In the 47th over, Omarzai conceded a six and two fours. Iftikhar took on Naveen as well. Omarzai was expensive in the penultimate over conceding 16 runs. In the final over, Naveen made a brilliant comeback conceding just three runs and picking up two wickets. Iftikhar hit four sixes and two fours in his 27-ball 40. Shadab scored 40 runs from 38 balls to help Pakistan post 282/7.
Afghanistan openers were positive in their approach early in the run chase. The poor fielding did not help their case either. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took on Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali during fielding restrictions. Gurbaz took on Haris Rauf in his first over. He hit Rauf for four boundaries in an over. Rauf came back with a maiden over. In the 15th over, Ibrahim Zadran reached his half-century from 54 balls. In the next over, Gurbaz reached his half-century from just 38 balls.
Pakistan fielders continued to falter in the field and gift easy boundaries. In the 22nd over, Afridi broke the opening partnership. The short ball got the better of Gurbaz. He scored 65 runs from 53 balls. Rahmat Shah joined Zadran in the middle while Pakistan continued to panic. Rahmat hit Mir for two consecutive fours. After a few quiet overs, Zadran got out to Hasan Ali. He scored 87 runs from 113 balls including 10 fours. While skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi took his time, Shah hit Ali for a six. He reached his half-century from 58 balls.
Shah and Shahidi did not panic in the run chase. Pakistan continued to struggle in the field. Shahidi picked up pace as well to finish the run chase early. In the 48th over, Shah hit Ali for a six over his head as the shoulders of Pakistan players dropped. Shahidi finished the run chase on the last ball of the penultimate over with a boundary. Shahidi scored 48 runs from 45 balls including four fours. Shah remained unbeaten for 77 off 84 balls including five fours and two sixes.
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