Afghanistan is the story of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023. The led by Hashmatullah Shahidi has so far been responsible for defending champions England and 1992 Cricket World Cup champions Pakistan. Thanks to the victories over the heavyweights, Afghanistan can count on a place in the semi-finals. They have four games left and some favorable results could see the team enter the final four stages.
Afghanistan’s last win at the Cricket World Cup came against Pakistan, a side they have never won an ODI match against before. After restricting Pakistan to 282, Afghanistan easily chased down the target and pushed the Babar Azam-led camp to the brink of an exit.
The depth of Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI win against Pakistan can be understood from the celebratory videos that have emerged from home in Kabul. Fireworks and gunfire were easy to see in the capital as the Afghans celebrated the historic moment in their relatively young cricketing history.
Industrialist Anand Mahinsdra was elated over Afghanistan’s victory. he posted a video of their party on the team bus, where they dance to the song ‘Lungi Dance’.
“The most beautiful clip of the #ICCCricketWorldCup23 that I have seen so far. The “mauj” of the minnows that are now sharks. What better way for the Afghan team to celebrate an astonishing win in Chennai than by ‘Lungi Dance’?” Anand wrote in a post on X.
The most delightful clip from the #ICCCricketWorldCup23 I have seen so far. The ‘mauj’ of the minnows that are now sharks. What better way for the Afghan team to celebrate an astonishing win in Chennai than by doing the ‘Lungi Dance’? pic.twitter.com/YK4v0B3woq
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 25, 2023
It was truly a historic victory for Afghanistan. First, 18-year-old leg-spinner Noor Ahmad took 3-49 on his World Cup debut, including opposition captain Babar Azam and master run-getter Mohammad Rizwan.
Then 21-year-old opening batsmen Ibrahim Zadran, with 87, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who hit 65, piled on 130 for the first wicket and set the platform for a stunning eight-wicket win.
“I think the two opening batters we have are very, very exceptionally talented young players and the sky is the limit for both of them,” said former England batsman Trott.
“They are different types of players and my message to them is: keep developing your own game and play your own way.
“We saw tonight how well they can play and how much pressure they can put on opposition bowlers, including world-class bowlers.”
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