• By Ankit Bisht
  • Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:39 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran played a substantial role in his side's win over Pakistan with an 87-run knock in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. He bagged the Player of the Match award for his crucial contribution in the match which resulted in Afghanistan's eight-wicket win, the first-ever ODI victory against Pakistan.

In the post-match presentation interaction with commentator Ramiz Raja, Zadran dedicated his award to his countrymen sent back from Pakistan in recent times.

"I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country. I want to dedicate this man of the match award to those who are sent back to Afghanistan from Pakistan," Zadran said.

Chasing 283, Zadran and Rahmanatullah Gurbaz (65 off 53 balls) added a 130-run partnership for the opening wicket while Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashatullah Shahidi remained unbeaten on 77 and 48 respectively as Afghanistan won the match with six balls to spare.

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On his partnership with Gurbaz, the opener hailed his partner and said, "I wanted to go out there with a positive mind and positive intent, and I did it. We (Gurbaz and himself) have played a lot of cricket with each other, we have good communication while running between the wickets as we have been playing together since under-16 days."

"The way Gurbaz supported me - that helped me and we got the momentum in our favour. I am feeling great for myself and my country," he added.

The state-run radio of Pakistan has reported that 3,248 Afghan refugees were returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan in a single day on October 21, Khaama Press reported.

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According to Pakistani authorities, more than 51,000 Afghans have been deported since the deadline for the expulsion of undocumented migrants was announced.

According to a Pakistan-based news daily, the government's decision to restrict border crossing to only those with valid passports and visas will come into effect on November 1, and after that, no one will be allowed to cross the Pak-Afghan border using a Pakistani identity card or Afghan permit. Approximately 1.73 million Afghans in Pakistan lack legal documentation.

Afghanistan created history by trouncing Pakistan for the first time in ODIs, courtesy of a fabulous batting display by the top four batters and Noor Ahmed's outstanding three-wicket haul.

Pakistan's unhappy knack of slipping on banana skins resurfaced yet again as it turned out to be a red-letter day for the Afghanistan side as they caused a massive upset by trouncing 'Men in Green' by eight wickets in Chennai.

(With ANI inputs)