Afghanistan Win By Eight Wickets | PAK vs AFG Live Score Updates of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Noor Ahmad, Batters Lead Afghanistan to Historic Victory

The deadlock is finally broken, Finally Afghanistan were able to close out a game against Pakistan and have now scalped another victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and that also against a big team like Pakistan. A historic moment for Afghan cricket as this is the first ODI win for Afghanistan against Pakistan. Noor Ahamd laid the foundation with this three-wicket haul and then Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah combined to chase down the target with ease. Pakistan have a uphill task from here.  

After the opening stand of 130 runs of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, it has been Rahmat Shah who has carried on the game forward and kept Afghanistan at pace with the asking rate with Hashmatullah Shahidi. Now on his way he completes his half-century but knows he has a job to complete. 

Out! Big wicket for Pakistan this. Babar Azam desperately brings in Hasan Ali for a wicket and Ibrahim Zadran goes for a on the rise drive only to nick it to the hands of Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan keeps the game alive and Hashmatullah Shahidi has a job in hand. 

Afghanistan have a history of collapsing in the middle overs after one of their openers get dismissed following a good start. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah ensured that doesn't happen adding 45 runs from the point Gurbaz lost his wicket. The asking rate is under control and the first thing they are looking for is taking the game deep with wickets in hand. 

Out! Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to play a flashy cut in the first of the second spell of Shaheen Shah Afridi and the ball takes a top edge, flying to the third man where Usama Mir takes a very good catch. Breakthrough for Pakistan and they have to make it big now. 

Fifty! Ibrahim Zadran is followed by his in-from partner Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Started off slo uncharacteristically and then picked up pace very quickly specially taking on Haris Rauf and from then he didn't look back. Afghanistan will need him out there for longer. 

Fifty! Ibrahim Zadran has finally looked like back in touch. Maybe the pressure of the big competition got to him but he has been all class in this match. He has played some exquisite strokes and looked very much comfortable at the crease. Will surely want to make it big. 

In pursuit of chasing down the target of 283, Afghanistan needed a solid start and they seem to be on their way to get one through their openers. They have looked comfortable on crease and given the destructive they can be when set, can spark hope in the Afghan dressing room. 

Pakistan punch back hard at Afghanistan as they gather 91 runs off the last ten overs thanks to the clean striking of Shadab Khan and Iftikar Ahmed and some poor bowling from Afghanistan at the death. Hashmatullah Shahidi will feel that he has let go some of the advantage gained in the first 40 overs. The target is very much reachable but won't be easy on a tricky two paced surface under lights. 

Out! Set and dangerous Babar Azam departs trying to take on the Afghan spin attack. Noor Ahmed bowls a half-tracker, Babar rocks back to loft it over the covers but doesn't get the required elevation. Fine innings on a difficult pitch for Babar but he will be disappointed with the dismissal. 

Finally another half-century for Babar Azam after the India match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and this was much needed as Pakistan struggled in a slow pitch against spin. Babar has looked assure but he has to carry on setting up a big total and get Pakistan into a safer place. 

Just when things started to look better for Pakistan, Mohammad Nabi has struck. Sadu Shakeel goes for the big shot and ends up holing to mid-on. S Shakeel c Rashid Khan b Nabi 25(34)

Important partnership between Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel this. Pakistan need these two to stay for as long as possible. Afghanistan will be looking to break this stand and dent Pakistan further.

Afghanistan spinners are making the ball do the talk now. Pakistan have lost two quick wickets while Babar Azam is still out there. The skipper holds the key now for his side. The ball is turning for spinners now.

Pakistan have lost their first wicket and it is Imam-ul-Haq who has to go. Imam is caught at mid-wicket as Azmat. Imam c Naveen-ul-Haq b Azmatullah 17(22)

Good start for Pakistan. Both the openers are picking boundaries at regular intervals. In fact, Abdullah Shafique just hit the first six of Pakistan in the first powerplay in ODIs this year.

Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique are the Pakistan openers. Boundary for Imam as he hits Naveen-ul-Haq in front of the square. Meanwhile, Mujeeb ur Rahman has bowled the second over.

Afghanistan Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil(w), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad.

Pakistan Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf.

TOSS: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first. One change for Pakistan, Shadab Khan comes back in place of unwell Mohammad Nawaz. Afghanistan have made a change as well. Noor Ahmad replaces Fazalhaq Farooqi.