PAK vs AFG Highlights, ICC World Cup 2023: All-round Afghanistan Defeat Pakistan By 8 wickets, Secure Second Win In Tournament

Afghanistan, once considered underdogs, have now triumphed over England and Pakistan, showing the world they are here to stay. Despite a challenging start, their spinners made a significant impact, restricting Pakistan to 282. Afghanistan's masterclass prevailed on the slow Chepauk track, thanks to the batting excellence by all the four batters.

Afghanistan Win!

Last nine overs to go, Pakistan need something special from here. Afghanistan have paced their innings to perfection. Can they finish it from here?

A bit of extra-bounce and Hasan Ali gets his man. Ibrahim Zadran goes for after scoring 87. What an innings from the Afghan opener.

The partnership between Rahmat and Ibrahim reaches the 50-run mark, and Afghanistan seem poised to make historic strides again.

Shaheen Afridi gets a breakthrough for Pakistan! Gurbaz goes for a well-played 65.

Afghanistan's openers are displaying a batting masterclass, exuding confidence and composure against Pakistan's bowling attack. Pakistan need a strategic rethink to regain control of the game, as Afghanistan appears poised to potentially secure their second significant upset in the tournament.

The duo of Gurbaz-Ibrahim are putting up a show here. Both players are dealing in boundaries. Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf conceded 17 in his first over.

Afghanistan will be keen on maintaining the impressive momentum. 

Afghanistan innings is underway. Gurbaz-Ibrahim on crease. Afghanistan need a strong start chasing a challenging total, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali with the new ball.

Pakistan added 61 runs in the last five overs (91 in last 10), setting a strong total on a slow pitch. Afghanistan need 283 runs to win and stay in the contention for the top four spots.

Noor Ahmad strikes again, claims the big wicket of Babar Azam with a short ball. Azam's powerful shot goes straight to extra cover, and Nabi takes a safe catch. Third wicket for Noor Ahmad, Babar goes for 74.

Nabi strikes! After a series of dot balls, Saud Shakeel tries to flick across the line but miscues it towards wide mid-on. Rashid Khan stationed there takes a comfortable catch. A crucial breakthrough as Shakeel goes for 25.

Wicket! Noor Ahmad has broken the partnership here. Good review from Afghanistan as Shafique was trapped in front. He departs for 58. Pakistan go two down.

Fifty! Abdullah Shafique has batted brilliantly here as he reaches his half-century in 60 balls. Pakistan have crossed the 100-run mark with this partnership concerning Afghanistan at the moment.

Noor Ahmed bowled his first over in this World Cup and gave away five runs. After bowling first few way outside off stump he went a bit straight to pick up the rhythm with great line.

Wicket! Azmat strikes as Imam hits that straight to the fielder. He tried to pull that for a boundary but ended up throwing his wicket. First one goes down as Imam departs for 17.

This has been a brilliant start from the Pakistani openers as they bring up a 50-run stand. Shafique has looked more comfortable in the middle while Imam keeps things simple and not trying too much. Afghanistan need a wicket here.

Mujeeb has been brilliant up front and fulfilling the job earlier in the innings. Great fielding to finish off the over remarkably well as just two runs came off it. 

Naveen started well and didn't allow the batters to open arms before he bowled a bad one on the pads that was clipped away for a boundary by Imam ul Haq. Five came off the first over.

"We wanted to bat first, but the toss is not in your hand. One change for us - Noor Ahmad is in for Fazalhaq Farooqi. We played a series against them in Sri Lanka and we wanted more spinning options. We want to restrict them to 250 or less," Hashmatullah Shahidi said at the toss.

"We will bat first. The pitch looks very dry and might spin. We have one change, unfortunately Nawaz has fever and Shadab is back. We will have to give our 100% in every match and step-up, that's what I want from my players. The pitch might help the pacers under lights," Babar Azam said at the toss.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has won the toss and opted to bat first against Afghanistan in Chennai.

"By all means, Afghanistan is not a weak team. They are not a weak team, they are a good side; at par with Pakistan. They have good spinners who will trouble Pakistan tomorrow. Pakistan cannot afford to lose one to Afghanistan or any other side. Afghanistan will have crowd support, ground support and the spin-friendly track will trouble the Pakistani batters," Shoaib Akhtar said in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter. 

"The thing is - with spinners, there are only two or three of them playing a game. And it's the other eight as well that have to play the game so that's important. So, it's everybody's job, it's not just the spinners job to win games. There's batsmen who've got to put runs on the board or batsmen who've got to chase down a total," said Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan's head coach.

"We have played 4 matches and we are 2-2. We are confident. We will accept that we did not play well in the last 2 matches. We will have to perform up to the mark. It matters a lot how you play on a given day. You can talk as much as you want. But it matters how you play on the day. We have talked about it. You will see a new team tomorrow in Chennai," Pakistan opener Imam-ul-haq said at the pre-match press conference.

"There are good spinners in Afghanistan who can bowl well in the middle overs. But as I mentioned, we had beaten them in Hambantota 3-0. Even there, the conditions were very spin-friendly. So, we will back that and our ability," he added.

Pakistan probable 11: Abdullah Shafique, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Babar Azam, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (VC), Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Afghanistan probable 11: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqui.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have faced each other seven times in the ODI history. Pakistan have an unbeaten record against Afghanistan in ODIs with seven wins in as many games. In their previous encounter in Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan got the better of Afghanistan and won the match by 59 runs.

For the first time, they will face each other in a World Cup clash.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Pakistan vs Afghanistan ICC World Cup 2023 match at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. In a crucial encounter, Pakistan will have to win this game in order to stay in contention for the semi-final race in the tournament. Stay tuned for all the live updates!