PAK vs AFG: Pakistan Beating Afghanistan Would Have Been An Upset, Says Gautam Gambhir

Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir has shared his views on Afghanistan’s historic win over Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Afghanistan pulled off their highest run-chase in ODIs to inflict a humiliating 8-wicket defeat on bitter rivals Pakistan. It is Afghanistan’s first-ever win over Pakistan in ODIs after seven losses in a row. Having defeated reigning world champions England earlier in the competition, Afghanistan cleared looked like the better side when they locked horns against Pakistan in Chennai.

Asked to bowl first, they restricted Pakistan to 282 for 7. Babar Azam scored 74 for his side while opener Abdullah Shafique scored 58. For Afghanistan, teenage spinner Noor Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 49 as he dismissed Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar.

In reply, Afghanistan chased down the total in 49 overs by losing just a couple of wickets. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Ibrahim Zadran (87) added 130 runs for the first wicket before Rahmat Shah took charge. He played an unbeaten knock of 77 runs and shared crucial fifty-plus stands with Zadran and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi who remained unbeaten on 48.

Gautam Gambhir on Afghanistan’s win:

Soon after the game ended, many fans as well as experts opined that Afghanistan’s win over Pakistan cannot be called an upset because of the way the former have played in recent years. And Gautam Gambhir also has the same opinion. Speaking on Star Sports, the World Cup-winning former cricketer stated that Pakistan beating Afghanistan would have been an upset.

“Afghanistan have been playing far better cricket than Pakistan in the tournament. I believed that if Pakistan had defeated Afghanistan, it would have been an upset,” said Gautam Gambhir.

“I am giving such a big statement because of the kind of cricket from Afghanistan and Pakistan in this tournament. Even against India’s bowling attack, Afghanistan scored more runs than Pakistan, defeated England, defeated Pakistan today,” he added.

1000 languages in this world but Gambhir decided to speak truth ?? ?#AFGvsPAK #PKMKBForeverpic.twitter.com/4Foa5N6HUP

— Adarsh (@Adarsh_Jha_07) October 23, 2023