Afghanistan secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in their pursuit of a 283-run target during a World Cup match on Monday.
Afghan opening duo, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, delivered outstanding performances, scoring 87 and 65 runs, respectively, to firmly position their team for a potential maiden ODI victory against their neighbours.
Chasing 283 to win, Afghanistan were 105-0 after 16 overs with Zadran having made his fifty off 54 balls with eight boundaries while Gurbaz reached his half-century from 38 deliveries, hitting nine fours.
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.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad.
