Afghanistan’s opening batsman, Ibrahim Zadran, expressed immense pride for himself and his country following their remarkable eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup on Monday.
In their pursuit of a 283-run target, Zadran, who scored 87, along with Rahmat Shah (77 not out) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), led Afghanistan to their second triumph in the tournament, stunning the defending champions, England, in a previous match.
Zadran, a 21-year-old talent, conveyed his emotions, saying, “In this kind of event, this is so big for me. I am feeling very proud of myself and for my country.”
He emphasized the importance of a positive mindset and intent in his performance, and it paid off remarkably for Afghanistan. Zadran and his fellow opener, Gurbaz, who is also 21, have shared numerous successful partnerships, having played together since the age of 16. Their effective communication and support for each other played a significant role in securing the victory.
On the other hand, Pakistan has faced a series of defeats, losing three consecutive games after starting the World Cup with two wins. Captain Babar Azam admitted the disappointment, attributing the team’s struggles to their subpar bowling performance. He stressed the need for all three departments – batting, bowling, and fielding – to perform at their best in World Cups.
The victory was celebrated with gunfire, cheers, and fireworks in Kabul, the Afghan capital, for at least 15 minutes after the match concluded. This win comes at a time of tense political and diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
