Big moment for whole of Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi relishes first-ever ODI win over Pakistan

Veteran Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi was elated after his side added another remarkable victory to their 50-over World Cup campaign by defeating the 1992 champions, Pakistan, with a resounding eight-wicket win on Monday. Afghanistan’s top three batsmen all delivered half-centuries, and their captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, remained unbeaten with 48 runs while batting at number four. They successfully chased down a target of 283 runs, accomplishing this feat with one over to spare.

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This win marked Afghanistan’s first One Day International (ODI) victory against Pakistan in eight encounters, a significant achievement that has left the defending champions, England, at the bottom of the tournament’s points table. The pursuit led by Shahidi and his team was executed with clinical precision, mirroring their earlier victory over England in the competition. Pakistan had posted a total of 282-7, with half-centuries from their captain, Babar Azam, and opener Abdullah Shafique.

“Big moment for the whole of Afghanistan. We have played eight games against Pakistan, and won in a big event. It’s a lovely moment today. We beat England as well, and now Pakistan. The team is confident now. [Earlier] in the last moments, we used to lose the game [to Pakistan]. We thought it was the same wicket like against New Zealand, but it was totally changed,” Mohammad Nabi said while speaking to the broadcasters.

Nabi lauded the efforts of young spinner Noor Ahmad, commending his bowling performance. Notably, Noor shone in his debut World Cup match, picking up the key wickets of Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

“Noor bowled brilliantly, in the good areas. A lot of close games, and this is a fantastic feeling. We shouldn’t have lost against Bangladesh. But now half the tournament is gone. We gave a lap of honour at the ground, and hopefully in Pune also they will support us,” Nabi added.