Pakistan skipper Babar Azam gifted his bat to opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz who scored a shocking 65 to assist Afghanistan pull off a historic victory over the Men in Green within the ongoing World Cup. Afghanistan registered their second shock victory within the World Cup and their first-ever win over Pakistan in 50-over cricket on Monday. Gurbaz together with Ibrahim Zadran set the tone for the 283-run chase by stitching up a 130-run partnership. His quick-fire knock of 65 off 53 balls allowed Afghanistan to register their first victory over the Men in Green within the 50-over format.

Even although Pakistan ended up on the dropping facet and are on the verge of getting into the must-win territory, Babar received hearts by gifting his bat to Gurbaz conserving the “spirit of cricket alive”.

“A gift from Babar Azam. The spirit of cricket alive and well,” ICC wrote on X.

A present from Babar Azam.

The spirit of cricket alive and properly #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/QJ9jv2DXge

— ICC (@ICC) October 23, 2023

Watch the video right here:

Babar Azam gifted his bat to Gurbaz#PAKvsAFG #Afghanistan #PakistanCricketTeam #BabarAzam # pic.twitter.com/PoMJrFVBh6

— Abbas (@Abbas28673126) October 23, 2023

iding on a blinding all-round efficiency within the area, Afghanistan surprised their neighbours with a thumping eight-wicket defeat on a sluggish Chennai floor.

The opening pair of Gurbaz (65), and Zadran (87), together with Rahmat Shah (77)* at No.3, starred with the bat to assist Afghanistan submit a win for the ages.

After the mauling in opposition to India, Pakistan’s bowlers had one other forgettable outing, failing to place any strain on the Afghan batters regardless of defending an above-par complete of 283 on a sluggish and difficult Chennai floor.

Chasing 283, a difficult complete on a Chennai pitch affording uneven bounce, Afghanistan cantered to a win by eight wickets, with an over to spare.

Afghanistan has now obtained the higher of two cricketing powerhouses — former world champions Pakistan and the defending champions England. The win lifted Afghanistan to sixth on the factors desk. On the opposite hand, Pakistan stayed within the fifth place with 4 factors and a web run charge of -0.400.

The high-flying Afghans will play Sri Lanka subsequent on October 30 on the high-scoring Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

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