Three in a row

India, Australia and now Afghanistan. All thumped Pakistan into humiliation, leaving them not just down but most likely out of the ICC World Cup 2023. With just two wins from five games, on top of a poor net run rate, the chances of Team Pakistan to qualify for the semi-final have been extremely slim — more so because the contests coming up are against tough opponents, viz South Africa, New Zealand and England, apart from Bangladesh. The Afghan shock at Chennei on Monday has been the most indigestible. Afghanistan first restricted the Babar Azam men to a modest 282 for 7, and then eased past the target with eight wickets and one over to spare — to clinch their first-ever ODI victory against Pakistan. The victory came eight days after Afghanistan stunned defending champions England in Delhi.

Pakistan’s performance was in an utter disarray — be it batting, bowling or fielding. None of the batsmen could touch three figures. And had it not been for a blistering 27-ball 40 by Iftikhar Ahmed, the Green Shirts may not even have crossed the 250-run mark. Babar Azam’s 74 came off 92 balls, with 52 of the runs coming in singles and doubles — one factor behind the team finishing the innings with a mediocre run rate of 5.64. Bowlers too struggled for a wicket till the 22^nd over in which one of the openers (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 65 runs) got out, but only after providing the Afghan team a solid 131-run opening platform together with Ibrahim Zadran who scored 87 runs and was adjudged Player of the Match. Poor fielding also cost Pakistan several boundaries that proved too costly in the final analysis.

Next up, on Friday at Chennei: Pakistan will take on South Africans who have been in a blazing form having scored the World Cup’s highest total, 428, against Sri Lanka, besides amassing 399 against the defending champion England. Overcoming the Proteas challenge, to stay afloat in the tournament, is no mean feat.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2023.

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