after Afghanistan crushed Pakistan in the cricket world cup
Afghanistan’s batsmen performed with confidence and easily exceeded a 283-run total against Pakistan’s highly anticipated bowling attack.
Afghanistan demonstrated once more on Monday in Chennai that their performance was not a one-time event, as they defeated Pakistan following their victory over the reigning Cricket World Cup champions, England. Afghanistan batted with confidence and easily exceeded a 283-run total against a much-fancied Pakistani bowling outfit. Pakistan, who have now lost three games in a row, also came under heavy scrutiny after the defeat. The Babar Azam-led team lost to Afghanistan, a team with a lower ranking, following their defeats to Australia and India.
But according to Wasim Jaffer, a former opener for India’s cricket team, Afghanistan’s victory “was not an upset.”
Afghanistan won a thrilling eight-wicket match on a slow Chennai pitch, stunning their neighbours with an outstanding all-around performance in the field.
Gurbaz (65), Zadran (87), and Rahmat Shah (77)* at No. 3 were Afghanistan’s opening batsmen who shone, helping the country record a historic victory.
Following their humiliation by India, Pakistan’s bowlers produced another lacklustre performance, putting no pressure on the Afghan batting while holding India to a respectable total of 283 on a difficult and slow-moving Chennai pitch.
Afghanistan chased 283—a difficult score on a Chennai surface that offered variable bounce—and won by eight wickets with one over remaining.
Afghanistan has now defeated two of cricket’s biggest powers, Pakistan (the past world champions) and England (the current champions). Afghanistan’s victory moved them up to sixth place in the standings. Pakistan, meanwhile, maintained their fifth-place finish with four points and a net run rate of -0.400.
Next up for the flying Afghans is a match against Sri Lanka on October 30 at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, which has a high scoring capacity.
