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Tag: Pakistan vs Afghanistan

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Babar Azam, Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming squad: PCB issues pointed statement as PAK’s WC campaign stutters

The Pakistan cricket team are in a spot of bother after losing the match against Afghanistan, with their chances of making it into the last 4, getting slimmer by the day. The team led by captain Babar Azam has been slammed by Pakistan legends and the media with even the Pakistan Cricket Board releasing a pointed statement towards the captain and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. “Addressing the media scrutiny directed at captain Babar Azam and the team management, the board’s stance, echoing that of former cricketers, is that successes and defeats are part of the game. Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023,” PCB said in a statement. PCB urges cricket fraternity to support Pakistan Team Read more ...
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‘As a batman he is very good, but as a leader…’: Pakistan greats criticise Babar Azam’s captaincy | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The defeat of the Pakistan cricket team against Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup in India has sparked heavy criticism from former Pakistan cricketers. The loss, which came as a shock to many, has put Pakistan's semi-finals aspirations in jeopardy. Former cricketers have questioned the captaincy of Babar Azam and held him responsible for the unexpected defeat.Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz emerged as the heroes of the day for Afghanistan, with Zadran's impressive innings of 87 off 113 balls and Gurbaz's swift knock of 65 off 53 balls. The duo set a strong foundation for Afghanistan with a 130-run partnership for the first wicket. Rahmat Shah's unbeaten 77 off 84 balls and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi's 48 not out sealed the deal for Afghanistan against a lac...
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Cricket World Cup: Ibrahim Zadran dedicates player of the match award to Afghan refugees ‘sent back’ by Pakistan

Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran, who was adjudged player of the match for hos match-winning 87 against Pakistan has dedicated his award to the “Afghan refugees,” who has been sent back by Pakistan. Chasing a stiff total of 283, Zadran put on 130 runs for the opening wicket with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) to give Afghanistan a flying start. He forged a 60-run stand for the second wicket with Rahmat Shah (77 not out). The unbeaten 96-run partnership for the third wicket between Rahmat and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (48 not out) steered their team home. Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on our special World Cup section. You can also find the latest stats, like the top scorer and the highest wicket-taker of the current edition, upcoming World Cup fixtures and the poin...
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ICC World Cup: Sachin Tendulkar, Shoaib Malik hail Ajay Jadeja as the ‘great cricketing mind’ helping Afghanistan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A familiar Indian figure celebrating Afghanistan's famous win over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup on Monday was the former India batsman Ajay Jadeja, who is the Afghan team's mentor.As soon as Afghanistan scored the winning runs to cross the finish line, chasing 283 for victory, the team's dug out at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai erupted to celebrate their first ever ODI win against Pakistan.Seen exchaning hugs and smiles in the Afghanistan jersey was Jadeja, who was hailed by former India captain Sachin Tendulkar and former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik as one of the architects of Afghanistan's two big wins so far in this World Cup.Before upsetting 1992 champions Pakistan, the Afghans had stunned the defending champions England. "Afghanistan's performance at this Worl...
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‘He has learnt nothing in the past four years’: Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq hit out at Babar Azam

Coming down heavily on Babar Azam’s captaincy in the ODI World Cup after Pakistan’s eight-wicket loss against Afghanistan, former Pakistani captains Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq has termed Azam as not good enough for the captaincy role. Afghanistan restricted Pakistan on 282 and then chased it down with an over to spare. The defeat understandably saw temperatures rise back in Pakistan with former national team players pointing fingers at tactics, bowling or the captaincy of Babar. Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on our special World Cup section. You can also find the latest stats, like the top scorer and the highest wicket-taker of the current edition, upcoming World Cup fixtures and the points table on the site. “From Chairman, selecto...
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ICC World Cup: Afghanistan have put fear in the minds of other teams, says Misbah-ul-Haq | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan upsetting Pakistan in Chennai on Monday with a commanding victory will send fear in the camps of other teams who are scheduled to face them next in the ongoing ICC World Cup, said former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. The spirited Afghans chased down a challenging 283-run target in clinical fashion for an eight-wicket win, which is their first ever against Pakistan in ODIs.Earlier in the tournament, they had also stunned defending champions England.Their chase was set up by a 130-run opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Ibrahim Zadran (87), who was adjudged 'Player of the Match'. After Gurbaz and Zadran were dismissed, No. 3 Rahmat Shah (77*) and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (47*) ensured there were no hiccups closer to the finish line. They ad...
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‘Kisi se fielding nahi ho rahi thi’ – Pakistan greats Moin Khan, Wasim Akram blast team for poor fitness after Afghanistan defeat | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan were stung by Afghanistan in a major upset defeat on Monday, which has put the 1992 champions in serious danger of bowing out of the race to the ICC World Cup semifinals, and formers players have pointed at team's poor fitness levels as one of the major reasons for their shoddy performance. The eight-wicket hammering by Afghanistan was Pakistan's third straight defeat after starting their campaign with two back-to-back wins.But they lost the next three matches to India, Australia and the Afghans.The team has been inconsistent in all three departments of the game, with their dropped catches and lapses in the field costing them crucial game-changing runs. Former Pakistan players Moin Khan and Wasim Akram blamed it on poor planning and lack of importance to the players'...
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‘Sky’s the limit’: Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott praises young stars after stunning victory over Pakistan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Afghanistan cricket team's coach, Jonathan Trott, expressed his belief in the boundless potential of the young stars who dazzled and triumphed over Pakistan in a memorable Cricket World Cup clash on Monday.The 18-year-old leg-spinner, Noor Ahmad, made an impressive World Cup debut, claiming three key wickets, including those of the opposing captain, Babar Azam, and the prolific run-scorer, Mohammad Rizwan.Meanwhile, the 21-year-old opening batsmen,Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, formed a formidable partnership by amassing 130 runs for the first wicket, setting the stage for a sensational eight-wicket victory.Trott, a former England batsman, hailed the extraordinary talents of these young players, stating, "I think the two opening batters that we have are very, ver...
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Explained: How can Pakistan still make it to World Cup semis after Afghanistan shocker | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's ODI World Cup campaign is in jeopardy after they were stunned by Afghanistan by eight wickets in Chennai on Monday. A third successive defeat pushed them into a must-win situation for a place in the semifinals with only four points from five matches.Pakistan posted a score of 282-7 in their 50 overs, with the contribution of 74 runs from their skipper Babar Azam and 58 runs from opener Abdullah Shafique.However, this total proved to be insufficient against a clinical Afghanistan side.In pursuit of a target of 283 runs, Afghanistan found their heroes in Ibrahim Zadran (87), Rahmat Shah (77 not out), and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), propelling them to a total of 286-2 within 49 overs.This historic victory marks Afghanistan's first-ever win against Pakistan in eight ODIs,...
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World Cup: ‘Knowledgeable Chennai crowd’ lives up to the reputation as Afghanistan stun Pakistan for a famous win

Knowledgeable Chennai crowd. It is a phrase that has stuck with Chennai for a long time now. Youngsters who have grown up hearing that phrase – appreciating quality cricket even when India are not involved or on the losing side – are now middle-aged. And the fans who turned up at the MA Chidambaram Stadium showed that the phrase will remain relevant for years to come. On a Monday evening, after Afghanistan stunned Pakistan to throw the former champions’ campaign into crisis mode, it was the former’s turn to take a lap of honour, much like the latter did on that famous day in 1999. It wasn’t just a win, it was a statement from Afghanistan as they won by 8 wickets while chasing 283 to defeat Pakistan for the first time in this format. On Monday, after Afghanistan stunned Pakistan it was ...
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PAK vs AFG | Fifties from Babar, Shafique help Pakistan post 282/7

Babar Azam plays a shot during the World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai October 23, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI Opting to bat, Pakistan scored 282 for 7 in their World Cup match against Afghanistan here on Monday. Captain Babar Azam top-scored with 74 off 92 deliveries while opener Abdullah Shafique contributed 58. Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed made 40 each down the order to take the score past 280. Noor Ahmad was the most successful Afghan bowler with figures of 3/49 while Naveen-ul-Haq chipped in with 2/52.Scoreboard:Pakistan Innings: Abdullah Shafique lbw b Noor Ahmad 58 Imam-ul-Haq c Naveen-ul-Haq b Azmatullah Omarzai 17 Babar Azam c Mohammad Nabi b Noor Ahmad 74 Mohammad Rizwan c Mujeeb Ur Rahman b Noor Ahmad 8 Saud Shakeel c ...
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Pakistan vs Afghanistan Live Score, World Cup 2023: Noor Ahmed picks up Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan

Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on our special World Cup section. You can also find the latest stats, like the top scorer and the highest wicket-taker of the current edition, upcoming World Cup fixtures and the points table on the site. Madras memories: Seeking World Cup inspiration, Pakistan return to venue where they got a famous standing ovation (From left): Mural of Pakistan team on victory lap at MA Chidambaram Stadium; Pakistan team in practice before match against Afghanistan. (Express Photo/PTI) A bright start for Pakistan has been dulled by back-to-back losses but they now have an opportunity to reignite their semi-final hopes against familiar foes Afghanistan. But at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the Babar Azam-led team will be at home. This is the...
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ICC World Cup: Afghan spin threat awaits Pakistan batters | Cricket News – Times of India

CHENNAI: If ever there was a side that used to be a scourge for spinners, it used to be Pakistan. Generations of Indian spinners — from Bishan Bedi to Maninder Singh to Harbhajan Singh — will have their stories of hard times against the likes of Zaheer Abbas, Salim Malik or Misbah-ul-Haq. But all that seems a thing of the past as in two back-to-back games in the World Cup, we have seen Pakistan falling against spinners. While against India it was Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, it was Adam Zampa who snatched life out of the Pakistan chase in Bengaluru. Now in Chennai, struggling to stay alive in the World Cup, they will have a trial by spin against the likes of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and maybe Noor Ahmed.It is the inability of the Pakistan batters to increase t...
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‘Chalaaki is the Pakistan way’: Rashid Latif’s advice to Babar Azam and team ahead of Afghanistan match

Chalaaki, street smartness, improvisation – these are the key elements of Pakistan cricket. And in this World Cup, these aspects are missing from this team. I don’t want to put the blame on the players. Instead it is Mickey Arthur, who should take the blame for Pakistan’s consecutive losses against India and Australia. He is imposing a style of cricket, which we Pakistanis can never relate with. We lack match-winners in this squad.As a captain, Babar should take the cue from Rohit Sharma’s approach. Rohit takes on the bowlers from ball one. That’s the statement of a captain. Babar can do that, but he needs to get out of his comfort zone. Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on our special World Cup section. You can also find the latest stats, upcoming World Cup fixtures...
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Madras memories: Seeking World Cup inspiration, Pakistan return to venue where they got a famous standing ovation

Waqar Younis paused for a moment as one of the local staff of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association pointed to the wall behind him. It was a mural of the Pakistan team on a victory lap soaking in the Chepauk crowd’s applause. It would have definitely brought back fond memories for Waqar, who played that famous Test in 1999. A litter later, a few Pakistan players who were making their way to the practice nets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, would also stop by, recalling that match which their team had won, one that broke a billion Indian hearts too. There were around 30,000 fans that evening 24 years ago as Wasim Akram and Co won a thriller by 12 runs. At the Pavilion Sports shop which sits only a stone’s throw away from the stadium, there is a photo of Saeed Anwar buying a new cricket bat, ...
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PAK vs AFG Live Streaming, World Cup 2023: When and where to watch Pakistan vs Afghanistan

Pakistan vs Afghanistan World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: Pakistan and Afghanistan will clash in a highly anticipated encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 23, 2023. For Babar Azam and Co. a win is the order for the day after two successive defeats against India and Australia. One more hiccup will severely hamper Pakistan’s ambitions to reach the tournament’s semifinals. Currently, they are in the fifth position with four points from as many matches but their net run rate of -0.456 is a worry, and it needs improvement. Afghanistan’s bowlers have been the star of the show and they will look for a better performance from their batters. The match is too close to call, but Pakistan will be the slight favorites given their recent form. However, Afghanistan are capable of...
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Which Asian cricketing rivalry is the spiciest? India-Pakistan, Afghanistan-Pakistan or Bangladesh-Sri Lanka?

A strange triumvirate of cricketing rivalries will pop up this Asia Cup. The oldest is India vs Pakistan, but two other battles too come with spice warnings. Afghanistan vs Pakistan of course that even dragged in a retired Shoaib Akhtar during the last Asia Cup after chairs flew around in the stands but the most surprising development in the recent years is the third rivalry: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh. In some ways, it would have been understandable had the politics centred on the birth of a nation had spilled over to the cricket field when Pakistan and Bangladesh face each other. Instead, Bangladesh’s fiercest rivalry is with Sri Lanka, notwithstanding ‘mauka-mauka’ taunts amongst their fans and India’s. Sri Lanka, usually regarded on par with New Zealand as a nice friendly cricketing na...
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Pakistan whitewash Afghanistan 3-0 to top ODI rankings | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a commanding display, Pakistan ascended to the summit of the one-day international rankings by securing a convincing 59-run victory against Afghanistan in the third and final match held in Colombo on Saturday. This triumph marked a resounding 3-0 series sweep by Pakistan.Pakistan's ascent to victory was propelled by their solid batting performance, which saw them accumulate 268-8 in their allotted 50 overs. Mohammad Rizwan's resilient innings of 67 off 79 balls and skipper Babar Azam's composed 60 off 86 balls were pivotal in building this competitive total.In response, Pakistan's bowlers executed effectively, ultimately dismissing Afghanistan for 209 runs in 48.4 overs. A standout performance came from number nine batsman Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who blazed his way to a remarkab...
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‘Supernatural powers’: Hasan Ali’s spot-on prediction moments before Pakistan’s win | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As Pakistan beat Afghanistan in an ill-tempered thriller by one wicket in Hambantota on Thursday to seal three-match ODI series, pacer Hasan Ali's insane prediction moments before the tense finish turned out to be a perfect one.Hasan on X (formally known as Twitter) had predicted that Pakistan will finish the game with a four off the edge and things turned exactly the same way when Naseem Shah collected a boundary off Fazalhaq Farooq to seal the win for his side in a final-over tense finish. "I can smell it will be edge for 4 runs and we will win," Hasan wrote on X, moments before the final over.Users on social media were pretty impressed with Hasan's insane and precise prediction."Hassan bhai, some supernatural powers," a user wrote. Needing 11 runs off the last over, Pakist...