Top Story: Afghanistan defeats Pakistan in their first ODI after Gurbaz, Ibrahim, and Rahmat lead a 283 chase.
Pakistan’s 282 for 7 (Babar 74, Shafique 58, Noor 3-49, Naveen 2-52) were defeated by Afghanistan 286 for 2 (Ibrahim 87, Rahmat 77*, Gurbaz 65, Shahidi 48*, Hasan 1-41) by eight wickets.
7-1 or 8-0? No, that is not the one we are discussing. It was Afghanistan’s sixth World Cup match, and they had not defeated Pakistan in an ODI in seven attempts. They had come dangerously near to them at least twice, yet they were forced to endure heartbreak after heartbreak. But Afghanistan eventually broke the hoodoo—possibly on the grandest stage of them all. They achieved their most successful chase in One-Day Internationals by eight wickets in Chennai, needing only six balls to reach their target of 283 runs. Finally, a ‘W’ versus Pakistan, and 1-7 at that. In a World Cup match, it was also the most successful chase against Pakistan.
Does that qualify as an upset? Perhaps not after what Afghanistan did against England, not after the methodical way they moved up to sixth place on the table on Monday by chasing down the target.
Chepauk joins in the primal roaring when Afghanistan’s skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi, swats Shaheen Shah Afridi to the square-leg boundary. Simultaneously, fireworks burst in Kabul, as spectators swarm the streets to rejoice over Afghanistan’s historic triumph against rival Pakistan in the One-Day International series.
Cut to Rashid Khan storming in to give his captain a hug while an Afghanistan flag hangs around his neck in Chennai. Upon entering the field, Mohammad Nabi also loses control of his emotions. Riaz Hassan is lifting Gulbadin Naib, the Afghanistan captain from the past World Cup. Chepauk and Irfan Pathan start dancing, as chants of “Rashid! Rashid! Rashid” resound around them.
During the post-match celebrations in the dressing room, Rashid dons his dance shoes once more; yet, this historic victory was made possible by two less well-known players, Noor Ahmad and Ibrahim Zadran.
After bringing Brydon Carse into their World Cup team to replace the injured Reece Topley, England hopes that he may emulate Liam Plunkett’s middle-overs success.
India swiftly It didn’t “feel bad” for Mohammed Shami to watch the opening four games from the sidelines. All he was thinking about was getting ready like he was going to play and seizing the moment when it presented itself.
Who wants to play against the team that just destroyed 399 in their last match? They also did it in the location. Bangladesh has that luxury as they play a South African team that is only wound up—or is it just the intense heat in Mumbai—after demolishing the reigning champions, England, on Saturday.
South Africa is securely positioned at No. 3 in the points rankings after winning three of their last four games. And they have the best net run rate in the competition because to their commanding victory margins—102 runs against Sri Lanka, 134 against Australia, and 229 against England.
group news
Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt)/Reeza Hendricks, South Africa (probably) 3 Van der Dussen Rassie Four Aiden Markram, five Heinrich Klaasen, six David Miller, seven Marco Jansen, eight Gerald Coetzee, nine Keshav Maharaj, ten Kagiso Rabada, and eleven Lungi Ngidi of the group
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), and Towhid Hridoy are the possible candidates from Bangladesh. 6 Rahim Mushfiqur (wk), 7 Miraz Mehidy Hasan, 9 Hasan Mahmud, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman, and 8 Mahmudullah
This year, eight scores above 300. In their last seven games, they have six totals exceeding 300, with two exceeding 400. This World Cup, there have already been three scores of 300 or more, including a 229-run thumping of the reigning champions, England. And this is all with the most potent batting of the entire competition.
Where’s the catch, then?
That’s because, my dear reader, batting first has been the basis for all but one of those exploits.
All of their brilliant batting runs have come when batting first, save their thrilling 343 chase of England at home back in January. Additionally, they have won three times in this World Cup when they batted first.
