World Cup 2023 Points Table: Pakistan acquired a heavy jolt within the Cricket World Cup as they slumped to their third straight loss in Chennai on Monday. Coming into the match in opposition to Afghanistan, Pakistan have been reeling after defeats in opposition to the Indian cricket staff and the Australian cricket staff. Against Afghanistan, they wanted a win to spice up their possibilities however as an alternative the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led facet surprised the higher-ranked Pakistan staff by eight wickets. Batting first, Afghanistan restricted Pakistan to 282/7 in 50 overs within the Cricket World Cup match. (World Cup Points Table)

Then, boosted by half-centuries from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Rahmat Shah (77*), Afghanistan cruised in the direction of the goal. Shah and Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (48*) stayed unbeaten to take their staff to an eight wicket win.

With this win, Pakistan remained stagnant on the fifth spot with 4 factors from 5 matches (NRR -0.400) whereas Afghanistan rose to the sixth spot (4 factors, 5 matches, NRR -0.969). Pakistan’s remaining matches are in opposition to South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand and England. South Africa and New Zealand are in high kind whereas England are the defending champions. Their highway to semi-finals is now very powerful.

Afghanistan, who had earlier surprised defending champions England, subsequent face Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Australia and South Africa. With the giant-killing spree that Afghanistan are in, any staff could be cautious of them.

Skipper Babar Azam struck a composed half-century earlier than helpful cameos by lower-order batters guided Pakistan to 282 for seven in opposition to Afghanistan of their World Cup match on Monday.

Opener Abdullah Shafique made 58 off 75 balls and Babar acquired 74 off 92 balls, however had it not been for the efforts of Iftikhar Ahmed and the returning Shadab Khan, Pakistan would have completed with far lower than what they ultimately achieved.

While Iftikhar smashed his method to a 27-ball 40, Shadab contributed a breezy 40 in 38 deliveries.

Expecting a sluggish pitch, the Afghans moved in with 4 spinners. However, the observe turned out to be higher than anticipated.

The Pakistani openers Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq (17) started on a cautious word and managed a 56-run stand.

While they introduced up the facet’s 50 by the eighth over, Shafique was focusing on pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.

Also, spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was costly within the first 10 overs of the powerplay.

The first supply of the second powerplay noticed the Afghans earn the primary breakthrough, with Imam falling to speedster Azmatullah Omarzai off a brief ball.

Nevertheless, the Men in Green barely panicked as Shafique joined forces with skipper Babar and put up a 54-run partnership for the second wicket.

At this level, spinners Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Kahn operated in tandem to maintain issues underneath management, not permitting the 2 batters within the center to free their arms.

In the meantime, Shafique introduced up his third ODI half-century, whereas Babar appeared to combine aggression with warning.

It was the twenty third over when Azmatullah Omarzai lastly removed Shafique, whereas a few overs later, Mohammad Rizwan (8) fell prey to Noor Ahmad, decreasing Pakistan to 120 for 3.

Babar and Saud Shakeel (25) paired up briefly for a 43-run stand for the fourth wicket, even because the run price dropped a bit to place strain on the batters.

The consequence was that Shakeel was dismissed by Mohammad Nabi within the thirty fourth over, earlier than Babar and Shadab Khan (40) stitched a 43-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

During this part, Babar additionally scored his thirtieth ODI 50 earlier than providing a catch to Nabi off Noor with the rating studying 206 for 5 within the forty second over.

With PTI inputs