The ongoing ODI World Cup is perhaps probably the most unpredictable editions of the quadrennial showpiece. Afghanistan underlined the very assertion because it sprang a shock on the M.A. Chidambaram stadium in Chennai when it registered an eight-wicket victory towards Pakistan on Monday.
Pakistan, after successful the toss and electing to bat first, posted a frightening complete of 282/7 on board, because of a late flourish from Iftikhar Ahmed who scored a quick-fire 27-ball 40.
An enormous complete on its again and the truth that Afghanistan has by no means gained towards Pakistan in ODIs made the chase much more tough. But openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran soaked in all of the strain and laid the platform for his or her facet with a commanding 128-ball 130 partnership up entrance.
“We broke the chase down to 10-over splits. And with the start that Gurbaz and Ibrahim gave us, we were well ahead of where we thought we should have to be. And it sort of allowed us a little bit more breathing room come the end of the game,” mentioned Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott after the win.
“It made sure that we had the opportunity to finish the game off in the 49th over and we did. So, that was great,” he added.
This was not the primary time that Afghanistan made heads flip on this match. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led facet registered a whopping 69-run victory towards reigning champion England some time again. Contrary to in style opinion, Trott doesn’t imagine these wins might be termed as upsets.
“I think I’m not sure I’d say upset if I’m honest. It’s a disservice to the guys in the changing room. I think maybe you’d say underdogs or whatever, but it’s not an upset. We played well, these guys work hard and they deserve to win.” mentioned the 42-year-old.
Apart from the ultimate 5 overs, the place the bowlers conceded 60 runs, the Afghanistan bowling assault, with 4 spinners within the 11, was pretty much as good because it may get. Noor Ahmad was conspicuous as he accomplished his quota of 10 overs with three wickets, freely giving 49 runs.
“Well, I think whenever Afghanistan plays, the way the spinners bowl is going to be important. I thought we got it right with Noor today coming in the way that he bowled, certainly for a youngster as well,” mentioned Trott.
“We’ve just got to make sure we keep playing good cricket and not get too far ahead of ourselves” he concluded
This loss was very exhausting, says Pakistan skipper Babar
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Pakistan is getting ready to elimination with three consecutive losses.
Lack of intent within the center overs whereas batting, misfielding and a bowling unit which couldn’t carry out as much as its potential have been the important thing takeaways from this conflict for the Asian giants.
“This loss was very hard. We planned to total 280-290. And when we achieved that, I think we were not up to the mark in bowling and fielding. You have to bowl well and field well,” mentioned Babar after the crushing loss.
There might be no room for error within the forthcoming matches for Pakistan and Babar says his staff is cautious of the scenario and can do its greatest to get again from the downward spiral.
“We will try to play our best cricket till the end. There are a lot of matches left, so we will try to win all the matches. We will try to overcome our mistakes,” the Pakistan skipper mentioned.
Pakistan’s bowling line-up has didn’t stay as much as expectations regardless of being considered one of many strongest on this planet. This was made clear when Babar’s bowlers didn’t cease an above-par complete on a gradual wicket, additional compounding the facet’s points.
Touching upon this subject, Babar mentioned: “We are missing Naseem (Shah) a lot. But apart from that, our bowling lineup is one of the best. But I think we are not able to click. Sometimes we do well in bowling, we don’t do well in batting. When we do well in batting, we don’t do it in fielding.”
Pakistan will face South Africa subsequent on October 27 in Chennai.
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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