CHENNAI, India (Reuters) - Afghanistan pulled off their second giant-killing act of the ongoing 50-over World Cup with a memorable eight-wicket victory against 1992 champions Pakistan on Monday.
Afghanistan’s top three batters smashed fifties and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi made an unbeaten 48 at number four in their successful pursuit of a 283-run victory target that they accomplished with one over to spare.
It was Afghanistan’s first ODI victory against Pakistan in eight attempts and the outcome leaves defending champions England at the bottom of the points table.
It was a clinical chase by Shahidi’s men, who had stunned England earlier in the tournament, after Pakistan posted 282-7 riding on half-centuries by skipper Babar Azam and opener Abdullah Shafique.
“This win tastes nice,” a beaming Shahidi said after their second victory in five matches.
“The way we chased today was very professional.”
Babar won the toss and elected to bat against a spin-heavy Afghan attack, which kept things tight in the first 10 power play overs.
Afghanistan packed in four spinners in their playing XI but it was pacer Azmatullah Omarzai who drew first blood by dismissing Imam-ul-Haq for 17.
Teenage spinner Noor Ahmad (3-49) dismissed Abdullah Shafique (58) and Mohammad Rizwan (eight) in his successive overs in his memorable World Cup debut.
Babar (74) fell to Noor as well trying to accelerate the scoring, leaving it to Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan to provide the late flourish.