Fireworks light up Kabul as Afghanistan crush Pakistan in World Cup stunner

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Afghanistan on Monday burst into celebrations as skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi hit the winning stroke to seal his team's against favorites Pakistan in a World Cup stunner in Chennai, India.

This was Afghanistan's first-ever one-day international (ODI) win over Pakistan.

Fireworks lit up Kabul as hundreds shouted "long live Afghanistan" to celebrate their team's eight-wicket victory against a demoralized Pakistan.

Chasing a competitive total of 283, a brilliant show of batting from Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (48 not out) propelled Blue Shirts to reach the target with six balls to spare.

This is Afghanistan's highest successful run-chase in ODIs.

It was Afghanistan's second upset win in the World Cup after they stunned defending champions England earlier in the tournament.

Now, Pakistan and Afghanistan both have two wins and three losses from their five group games.

Earlier, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam and opener Abdullah Shafique hit half-centuries before Afghanistan’s teenage leg spinner Noor Ahmad struck twice to put the brakes on Pakistan’s progress.

Middle-order batters Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan contributed 40 runs each to power Green Shirts' total above 280 for seven wickets.

Ibrahim Zadran was named the Player of the Match for his calm and composed inning.

Lauding the win of Afghanistan, senior Taliban official Anas Haqqani said unity among the people "makes everything possible."

"Afghans are capable people," he wrote on X.