After engaging in numerous heart-pounding encounters over the past few years against Pakistan, and Afghanistan, at last, they emerged victorious over their Asian counterparts. They secured an eight-wicket triumph in Match 22 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Ibrahim Zadran was the hero of the day for the Afghan team, showcasing his prowess with a superb innings of 87 runs from 113 deliveries, ultimately guiding his side to a successful chase of 283 runs within 49 overs.
Afghanistan’s long-awaited victory over Pakistan in the eighth ODI encounter marked a historic moment. It resulted from Afghanistan’s remarkable resilience and unyielding determination when faced with high-pressure situations.
What truly defined this monumental win was the exceptional collaboration between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Their partnership was nothing short of extraordinary, adding a significant 130 runs to the total score. This partnership proved to be the linchpin in Afghanistan’s triumphant pursuit of Pakistan’s target of 283 runs.
The 21-year-old was rightfully honored as the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance that led to victory. During the post-match interview, the opening batsman humbly dedicated his award to the Afghan refugees who had been repatriated to Pakistan. “I would like to dedicate this POTM award to the people who were sent back from Pakistan to Afghanistan,” said Ibrahim in the post-match presentation.
The Pakistani government recently initiated a significant effort to address the presence of thousands of Afghan refugees within their borders. These actions have led to a substantial number of Afghan nationals voluntarily leaving Islamabad by November 1, as they were encouraged to do so to avoid deportation.
Ibrahim Zadran had a spectacular effort throughout his extraordinary innings, compiling an impressive total of 87 runs, which included an outstanding 10 fours. His ability to boldly face and conquer challenging deliveries from formidable bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf, as well as negotiate the spin of Shadab and Usama, displayed his outstanding skill and poise under duress.
Also Read: Fans Reacts To Afghanistan’s Historical Win Against Pakistan In The World Cup Thriller
In a historic milestone, Ibrahim Zadran etched his name into the record books as the fastest Afghanistan batsman to score 1000 ODI runs. Surpassing his opening partner Gurbaz, who previously held this record, Zadran needed only three more runs to attain this milestone. He completed this astounding achievement in just 24 innings, setting a new milestone. In comparison, Gurbaz took 27 innings to achieve the 1000-run milestone, making Zadran the new record-holder and a symbol of Afghanistan’s increasing cricketing ability.
Comments 1