Abdullah Shafique finally ended Pakistan's 1168-ball wait for a six during the powerplay overs as he slammed Naveen-ul-Haq for a maximum during the Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan in Chennai on Monday. Despite having several explosive batters in their ranks, Pakistan have found it difficult to hit sixes during the initial overs in ODI cricket and that curse was finally lifted at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. It was a back of the length delivery from Naveen and Shafique was on to it in a flash. The right-hander took a brilliant position and slammed the ball for a big six over deep square leg. This was the first six by a Pakistan batter in the powerplay in 2023.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat first in the Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan in Chennai on Monday.
Pakistan, who have two wins and as many defeats from four games, brought in Shadab Khan for fellow spinner Mohammad Nawaz who is 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.
Teams:
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shahen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wkt), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad.