Daily Times

Afghanistan pulled off their second major shock of the Cricket World Cup on Monday when they sent Pakistan crashing to an eight-wicket defeat.

Chasing 283 to win, Afghanistan rode on the back of impressive innings from Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (48 not out) to reach their target with six balls to spare.

Afghanistan, who stunned defending champions England earlier in the tournament, and Pakistan both now have two wins and three losses from their five group games. Afghanistan came into the game with one win from four matches while 1992 champions Pakistan had lost their last two following back-to-back opening wins.

Earlier, skipper Babar Azam and opener Abdullah Shafique put up half centuries before Afghanistan’s teenage leg spinner Noor Ahmad struck twice to put the brakes on Pakistan’s progress. Contributions of 40 runs each from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan propelled Pakistan’s total above 280, rescuing the Green Team from a minor collapse during the middle of their innings when they found themselves four down at 163 runs. By the end of the first innings, Pakistan scored 282 at the loss of seven wickets.

The national team, with two wins and as many defeats in the previous four games, brought in Shadab Khan replacing fellow spinner Mohammad Nawaz who was ruled out with illness. Afghanistan, who have just one win from four matches, named left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad in place of fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi.