Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran dropped a bombshell on Pakistan after picking up the Player of the Match trophy for his swashbuckling innings in the ICC World Cup 2023 on Monday.
Afghanistan rode on half-centuries from Zadran, Rahmat Shah and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to gun down 282 against Pakistan in Match 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Zadran leads the way for AFG
Zadran top-scored with 87 while Shah remained unbeaten on 77 and Gurbaz smashed 65 off 53 balls. Captain Hasmatullah Shahidi also made a crucial contribution with 48 not out off 45 balls.
Zadran was adjudged Man of the Match and he dedicated his trophy to the Afghan people who have been forcibly sent back home from Pakistan by the government.
Zadran makes massive political statement
"Thankful that I performed well in this event. I wanted to play with a positive intent. Many times Gurbaz and I have done a brilliant partnership together. We have played a lot of cricket together, right from the Under-16 days.
"I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country. I want to dedicate this man of the match award to those who are sent back to Afghanistan from Pakistan," Zadran said after the match.
AFG finally beat PAK in ODI cricket
Having lost seven ODIs against Pakistan, Afghanistan was missing out on that finishing touches which was required and all the four batters did play their parts to perfection in what was their highest run-chase in history of 50 over format.
This is Afghanistan's second win after beating defending champions England in New Delhi and with four points are now placed sixth in mid-table muddle.
Pakistan, for time being, stay put on fifth place but after a hat-trick of defeats, another loss against South Africa later this week, will in all likelihood shut the knock-out doors for the 1992 champions.
Pakistan innings summary
Earlier Babar struck a composed 77 before useful cameos by lower-order batters guided Pakistan to a 282 for 7 in 50 overs. For Afghanistan, spinner Noor Ahmad picked up 3 wickets while Naveen-ul-Haq grabbed a couple of scalps.
Opener Abdullah Shafique made 58 off 75 balls and Babar got 74 off 92 balls, but had it not been for the efforts of Iftikhar Ahmed and the returning Shadab Khan, Pakistan would have finished with far less than what they eventually achieved.
