Afghanistan are the story of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led has so far accounted for defending champions England as well as 1992 Cricket World Cup champions Pakistan. With the wins against the heavyweights, Afghanistan are in the reckoning for a spot in the semi-finals. They still have four more matches and some favourable results may see the side entering the last-four stage.
Afghanistan latest win at the Cricket World Cup came against Pakistan, a side against whom they never won an ODI match before. After restricting Pakistan to 282, Afghanistan easily chased down the target to push the Babar Azam-led side on the brink of exit.
The depth of Afghanistan's first-ever ODI win against Pakistan can be understood by the celebratory videos that have emerged from back home in Kabul. Firecrackers and gunfire could easily be seen in the capital as the Afghans celebrated the historic moment in their relatively young cricketing history.
Industrialist Anand Mahinsdra was elated by Afghanistan's win. he posted a video of their celebration in the team bus, where they dance to song 'Lungi Dance'.
"The most delightful clip from the #ICCCricketWorldCup23 I've seen so far. The "mauj" of the minnows who are now sharks. What better way for the Afghanistan team to celebrate an astonishing victory in Chennai than to do the ‘Lungi Dance?" Anand wrote in a post on X.
It was truly a historic win for Afghanistan. First, 18-year-old leg-spinner Noor Ahmad took 3-49 on his World Cup debut, including opposing 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 up 130 for the first wicket to set the platform for a stunning eight-wicket victory.
"I think the two opening batters that we have are very, very exceptionally talented young players and the sky's the limit for both of them," said former England batsman Trott.
"They're different types of players and my message to them is just keep growing 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, world-class bowlers as well."