On Monday, October 23 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Pakistan’s fielding performance against Afghanistan at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 came under scrutiny. Following their decision to bat first, the Babar Azam-led team amassed a respectable total of 282/7 in the 50 overs given to them, with Captain Babar Azam scoring the most runs with 74 (92). With their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran putting on a huge 130-run stand for the first wicket, Afghanistan’s reply got off to a great start.
Pakistan made multiple mistakes on the field throughout their partnership and appeared to be lacking in the middle. Gurbaz pushed Shadab Khan toward wide long-on during the 16th over of the innings. Afridi, who was positioned on the boundary, sprinted for the ball to cover it. He ultimately ran too far ahead, leaving the ball behind, which sped to the boundary.
Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper, was observed covering his face with his glove in disappointment after witnessing Afridi’s shoddy fielding.
#PAKvsAFG typical Pakistan just normal day at work for Pakistan #Pakistan #rauf #Cricket24 #BabarAzam𓃵 #fielding pic.twitter.com/E8WK5RZJL0
— Kabeerkhan🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@Kabeer31195734) October 23, 2023
The misfield ultimately cost them dearly since the openers seized the opportunity and gave their team a strong start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz ultimately scored 65 (53) while Afghanistan’s leading scorer, Ibrahim Zadran, went on to score 87 off 113. After making a mistake in the field, Afridi assisted his team in making their first wicket when he removed Gurbaz in the 22nd over.
First ODI victory for Afghanistan over Pakistan
After being dismissed, captain Hasmatullah Shahidi (48* off 45) and Rahmat Shah (77* off 84) put up an unbroken 86-run partnership to assist their team reach the mark in 49 overs and defeat Pakistan by an unprecedented 8 wickets.
Notably, it was their first victory over Pakistan in the ODI World Cup and only their third victory overall. In ten overs, Shaheen Afridi amassed 1/58 for the game. With two victories from five games and four points each, they moved up to the sixth slot in the ODI World Cup 2023 points table as a result of their victory.
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