In a thrilling encounter at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India secured a convincing victory over Afghanistan by 8 wickets in the ninth match of the ICC World Cup 2023. Afghanistan set a target of 273 runs for India, with their captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul opening the innings. Sharma, displaying remarkable form, amassed 156 runs, forming a splendid partnership with Ishan Kishan, who contributed 47 runs before falling victim to Rashid Khan. This partnership not only set the stage for India’s victory but also broke several records, reflecting the duo’s exceptional performance.
During his innings, Sharma hit 5 sixes and 16 boundaries, breaking several records, including the fastest century by an Indian in a World Cup match. His outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match title. Virat Kohli contributed 55 runs, and Shreyas Iyer added 25 runs, remaining unbeaten as India chased down the target with ease.
Afghanistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, posted a competitive total of 272 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 80 runs, while Azmatullah Omarzai and Ibrahim Zadran contributed 60 and 22 runs, respectively. Rashid Khan, with an all-round performance, scored 16 runs and took 2 wickets for Afghanistan.
India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, restricted Afghanistan’s batsmen effectively. Bumrah claimed 4 wickets, while Pandya managed 2 wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur each secured 1 wicket, restricting Afghanistan to a challenging yet achievable total.
Following this victory, India climbed to the second position in the points table, just behind New Zealand, while Pakistan occupied the third spot and South Africa stood fourth. The match not only showcased India’s dominant performance but also highlighted the talent and potential of emerging players, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the tournament.
Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Zakauddin Ashraf, added to the excitement by announcing the prompt issuance of Indian visas for Pakistani cricket enthusiasts, fostering the spirit of sportsmanship and unity among fans of both nations. As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies, promising fans around the world a thrilling spectacle of cricketing excellence.
