Afghanistan won World Cup 2023. World Cup 2023: At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Afghanistan pulled off the greatest miracle in their cricket history on Sunday when they unexpectedly defeated the defending champions, England, in an exciting match. In their first-ever victory over England in any format of international cricket, the Afghan team overcame the 2019 champions.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with an 80-run knock to lead Afghanistan to a competitive first-inning total of 284 runs. The bowling party worked in perfect harmony to repel the English superpowers in a joyful defense of their total.
With three wickets in his ten overs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman enabled the team to win and advance. Mark Wood was clean bowled by Rashid Khan, who got the final wicket to send the Afghan, Afghanistan won World Cup 2023.
Introduction Afghanistan won World Cup 2023
Afghanistan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in cricket history when they beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the Cricket World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. The Afghan batsmen chased down the target of 283 with six balls to spare, registering their highest successful run chase in one-day internationals and their first-ever win against Pakistan in ODIs.
This was also their second win of the tournament, after defeating Sri Lanka in their opening match, which lifted them to sixth place in the points table and sent England to the bottom, Afghanistan won World Cup 2023.
Watch the highlights of Pakistan vs. Afghanistan
With an eight-wicket victory on Monday in a World Cup match, a determined Afghanistan side carried on their giant-killing rampage, literally pushing Pakistan to the verge of elimination.
A target of 283 was not the easiest to chase on the difficult Chepauk track, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz of the Kolkata Knight Riders (65 off 53 balls) teed off in style, and Ibrahim Zadran (87 off 113 balls) dropped anchor at the other end in an opening stand of 130 that laid the perfect foundation.
Gurbaz, Mujeeb star in big win
While the former gave Afghanistan a flying start, Afghan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz and spin sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman made life difficult for England. Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who opened the innings, smashed a team record by scoring 114 runs in just 16.4 overs. Afghanistan went down 6 for 190, though, giving up their edge in the middle order. But Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman tried to push Afghanistan above 275.
In summary, Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal from England in the second over dealt them a serious blow. England kept losing wickets despite Dawid Malan’s best efforts to fight back. Harry Brook retained the three lions while holding one end aloft.
Pakistan’s respectable total
Pakistan, who won the toss and opted to bat first, posted a respectable total of 282 for seven in their 50 overs, thanks to a solid innings from their captain Babar Azam, who scored 74 off 92 balls. He was well supported by opener Abdullah Shafique, who made 58 off 75 balls, and Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed 45 off 38 balls.
The Pakistan batsmen accelerated in the final 10 overs, scoring 91 runs and losing only two wickets. However, they were unable to dominate the Afghan bowlers, who bowled with discipline and variation. The left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad was the pick of the lot, taking three wickets for 49 runs in his 10 overs, Afghanistan won World Cup 2023.
Afghanistan’s fearless chase
Afghanistan’s chase got off to a flying start, as openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz put on a record-breaking partnership of 130 runs in 19.4 overs. Zadran played the anchor role, scoring 87 off 113 balls with nine fours and a six, while Gurbaz played the aggressor, smashing 65 off 53 balls with eight fours and three sixes.
After Gurbaz’s dismissal, Rahmat Shah joined Zadran and continued the momentum, scoring an unbeaten 77 off 84 balls with seven fours and a six. He added another 56 runs with Zadran for the second wicket before Zadran fell in the 39th over, Afghanistan won World Cup 2023.
However, there was no stopping Afghanistan, as captain Hashmatullah Shahidi came in and finished the job with a quickfire 48 not out off 45 balls with five fours and a six. He and Shah shared an unbroken stand of 96 runs for the third wicket, taking Afghanistan past the finish line in the penultimate over.
What’s next?
The third final ODI of series will be played at same venue Wednesday, October 25. Pakistan will look to bounce back avoid humiliating series defeat, while Afghanistan will aim to continue their fairy-tale run complete historic series sweep. The two teams will also play three T20Is after ODI series, starting from October 28, Afghanistan won World Cup 2023.
