Pakistan vs Afghanistan, 22nd Match at Chennai, World Cup 2023, Oct 23 2023 - Match Result

A massive day in Afghanistan cricket: they beat Pakistan for the first time, and on the way romped to their highest successful chase in ODIs. For a country often troubled by geopolitics, cricket could turn out to be a soothing distraction. Seniors like Rashid and Nabi were already an inspiration, but now they also have youngsters like Noor, Ibrahim and Gurbaz to look up to. Fantastic day of cricket comes to and end, and you can revisit all of that in Ashish's report. Until next time, it's good night and good bye!

MJ: "Top 5 MVPs are from Afghanistan"

Nishant: "Babar looks shocked and short of words"

Here comes Hashmatullah Shahidi, all cheered up: "This win tastes nice. The way we chased today was very professional. We have been quality cricket from a couple of years. We will try our best to play positive cricket, and do a lot for our country. Today bowling was very good, especially spin bowling. We gave a chance to Noor, and he showed... The game was in our hands from the beginning till the end."

Babar Azam speaks first: "We had a good total, but in bowling, we were not up to the mark because we weren't taking wickets in the middle overs. In a World Cup, if you are not good even in one department, you lose. We started well while bowling, but we couldn't take wickets. All credit to Afghanistan. We are not playing good cricket, [especially] in bowling and fielding. The pitch was helping the spinners even in the second innings. There was no pressure on their batsmen."

Time for the presentations

Prashant: "Right from their bold move of playing 4 spinners to the discipline with which they applied themselves, Afghanistan played like winners."

MZ: "This explains why Pakistan needs a quality spinner."

Mohammad Nabi also speaks to the broadcasters: "Big moment for the whole of Afghanistan. We have played eight games against Pakistan, and won in a big event. It's a lovely moment today. We beat England as well, and now Pakistan. The team is confident now. [Earlier] in the last moments, we used to lose the game [to Pakistan]. We thought it was the same wicket like against New Zealand, but it was totally changed. Noor bowled brilliantly, in the good areas. A lot of close games, and this is a fantastic feeling. We shouldn't have lost against Bangladesh. But now half the tournament is gone. We gave a lap of honour at the ground, and hopefully in Pune also they will support us."

Ibrahim Zadran is the Player of the Match: "Thankful that I performed well in this event. I wanted to play with a positive intent. Many times Gurbaz and I have done a brilliant partnership together. We have played a lot of cricket together, right from the Under-16 days. I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country."

Karthik: "Please don't call it an upset. Pak was never in it today. Afg played like champion side. Better chase than India did yesterday" --- Yup, I think we need to be really prepared that it could be anybody's day

9.58pm Another memorable day in the brief yet inspiring story of Afghanistan cricket. The Afghanistan flag flies and dances in the humid Chennai air, as they trounce neighbours Pakistan after shocking England earlier. What a massive day for their players and staff, who do a lap of honour at the ground. Two wins in the same edition of a World Cup for the first time for Afghanistan, who, even if for a brief while, are sixth on the points table. That, of course, leaves defending champions England right at the bottom. Hang around for the presentations.

Captain Shahidi has the chance to hit the winning run

Lakesidey: "Well, at least Pak finally got that powerplay six! hashtagsmallvictories"

Osama: "Strike rotation was the key for Afghanistan in this chase. Pakistan seriously lack rotation of strike"

The Afghanistan fans at the ground are all pumped up, and why wouldn't they be? Only if they were allowed to break through on the field.

Hasan from around to Shahidi

Probably the last ball of the match coming up

Tom: "Is this performance more impressive than their win against England?" --- I think they were both right up there. The batters set up both innings, and the spinners did well too

Hasan back

Wavi: "No miracle saving Pakistan today. Sorry guys!"

Just 19 away from history for Afghanistan

Mehtab: "Afg is playing flawless cricket today"