Celebratory Firing After Victory Over Pakistan Leaves Several Injured In Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s day to remember eventually turned out to be a disappointing one when celebratory gunfire injured at least 10 people in the country. The people of Afghanistan were celebrating their team’s monumental victory over Pakistan in the World Cup warm-up clash on Friday.  The horrific incident took place in Kabul and eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Khost.

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According to 1TVNews, Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman for Interior Ministry confirmed the mishap. The official also said that one of the injured was in critical condition. Police, nonetheless, took the action soon, arresting dozens of people. Most of the arrested were from capital city Kabul where 43 were arrested. 31 people were arrested in Nangarhar while 14 others were arrested in Khost.

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Talking about the game, Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by three wickets in the warm-up match in Belfast.nThe Gulbadin Naib-led side beat Pakistan in a tight affair to start their World Cup preparations on a strong note. Afghanistan bowled out Pakistan for just 262 despite Babar Azam‘s ton before Hazratullah Zazai’s 28-ball 49 and 74* from Hashmatullah Shahidi helped them chase down the total with just two balls to spare. For Pakistan, things are going from bad to worse as they lost the game after losing their previous ten ODIs.

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Unlike Pakistan, Azam continued his fine form and scored another impressive century after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Hamid Hassan gave Afghanistan the first breakthrough by dismissing  the in-form Imam-ul-Haq (32). Pakistan soon found themselves 4 down for just 100.

Azam then found a good partner in Shoaib Malik as the two added 103 for the fifth wicket. The partnership broke when Malik holed out as he looked to accelerate. Pakistan then collapsed from 203/4 in the 38th over to a disappointing 262 all out.

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In reply, Afghanistan got off to a swift start. Mohammad Shahzad (23*) did leave the field as a precaution after feeling pain in his left knee but Hazratullah Zazai took the bowlers to the cleaners.  He smashed Shaheen Shah Afridi for five fours in the fourth over but fell one short of 50. Rahmat Shah chipped in with 32 before Wahab Riaz sent him back.  Afghanistan did lose some wickets in the end but Hashmatullah Shahidi’s unbeaten knock of 74 took them over the line in style.

An impressive team performance saw Afghanistan begin their #CWC19 preparations in fine form.https://t.co/DK06TfPlPQ

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 24, 2019

Meanwhile, Afghanistan will take on defending champions Australia on June 1 in their first game of the World Cup.