In a surprising turn of events, the Pakistan cricket team faced scathing criticism and a stunning defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. Legendary Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar was almost speechless as his team suffered an eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan in their first-ever men’s One Day International (ODI) encounter.
The Pakistan cricket team, traditionally considered a powerhouse in the cricketing world, faced an unexpected and historic loss to Afghanistan. Afghanistan secured their first-ever win against Pakistan in men’s ODI cricket and did so by a whopping eight-wicket margin. The match took place in the 2023 World Cup, adding another layer of significance to the victory.
Following the game, even Pakistan’s former captain, Shahid Afridi, admitted that Afghanistan outplayed his home team. This candid acknowledgement by a cricketing icon underscored the quality of cricket that Afghanistan displayed on the field that night. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement.
One of cricket’s all-time greats, Sachin Tendulkar, took to social media to share his admiration for Afghanistan’s remarkable run in the World Cup. Tendulkar’s words resonated with cricket enthusiasts worldwide. He highlighted Afghanistan’s discipline in batting, their exemplary temperament, and aggressive running between the wickets. Tendulkar also gave a nod to Mr. Ajay Jadeja, his former India teammate, who is a part of the Afghanistan setup as a team mentor in this World Cup.
Sachin wrote, “Afghanistan’s performance at this World Cup has been nothing short of outstanding. Their discipline with the bat, the temperament they’ve shown, and aggressive running between the wickets reflects their hard work. It could possibly be due to a certain Mr. Ajay Jadeja’s influence. With a formidable bowling lineup, their victories over teams like England and Pakistan indicate the emergence of a new Afghanistan team. The cricket world is taking note. Well done!”
Afghanistan's performance at this World Cup has been nothing short of outstanding. Their discipline with the bat, the temperament they've shown, and aggressive running between the wickets reflects their hard work. It could possibly be due to a certain Mr. Ajay Jadeja's influence.… pic.twitter.com/12FaLICQPs
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 23, 2023
Afghanistan’s victories over cricketing giants like England and Pakistan mark the emergence of a new cricketing force. With a formidable bowling lineup and a batting unit that exhibited composure and clinical execution, Afghanistan is no longer an underdog. Their performance in the World Cup has garnered the attention and respect of the cricketing world.
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The match itself was a hard-fought contest. Pakistan batted first, with Babar Azam’s 74 and Abdullah Shafique’s 58, contributing to 282/7. Youngster Noor Ahmad, Afghanistan’s rising star, emerged as the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 49 runs, achieving his career-best figures.
The chase, expected to be steep, witnessed Afghanistan’s openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, put on a masterclass. They added 130 runs for the first wicket, setting the tone for the chase. Rahmat Shah and captain Shahidi completed the job, securing Afghanistan’s historic eight-wicket victory.
