Three in a row

India, Australia and now Afghanistan. All thumped Pakistan into humiliation, leaving them not simply down however more than likely out of the ICC World Cup 2023. With simply two wins from 5 video games, on high of a poor internet run fee, the probabilities of Staff Pakistan to qualify for the semi-final have been extraordinarily slim — extra so as a result of the contests arising are in opposition to robust opponents, viz South Africa, New Zealand and England, other than Bangladesh. The Afghan shock at Chennei on Monday has been probably the most indigestible. Afghanistan first restricted the Babar Azam males to a modest 282 for 7, after which eased previous the goal with eight wickets and one over to spare — to clinch their first-ever ODI victory in opposition to Pakistan. The victory got here eight days after Afghanistan shocked defending champions England in Delhi.

Pakistan’s efficiency was in an utter disarray — be it batting, bowling or fielding. Not one of the batsmen might contact three figures. And had it not been for a blistering 27-ball 40 by Iftikhar Ahmed, the Inexperienced Shirts might not even have crossed the 250-run mark. Babar Azam’s 74 got here off 92 balls, with 52 of the runs coming in singles and doubles — one issue behind the workforce ending the innings with a mediocre run fee of 5.64. Bowlers too struggled for a wicket until the 22^nd over through which one of many openers (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 65 runs) received out, however solely after offering the Afghan workforce a stable 131-run opening platform along with Ibrahim Zadran who scored 87 runs and was adjudged Participant of the Match. Poor fielding additionally price Pakistan a number of boundaries that proved too expensive within the remaining evaluation.

Subsequent up, on Friday at Chennei: Pakistan will tackle South Africans who’ve been in a blazing kind having scored the World Cup’s highest complete, 428, in opposition to Sri Lanka, apart from amassing 399 in opposition to the defending champion England. Overcoming the Proteas problem, to remain afloat within the match, is not any imply feat.

Revealed in The Specific Tribune, October 25^th, 2023.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Fb, observe @ETOpEd on Twitter to obtain all updates on all our each day items.