Pakistan cricket has reached the extreme of depression. Afghanistan, the last ranked team on the World Cup cricket table, created a new history by causing another big upset by defeating the favorite Pakistan by 8 wickets. Due to poor defensive captaincy, Pakistan's hopes seem to be fading. The bowling line was considered to be the strongest but the bowlers could not defend the target of 283 runs against the Afghan team. After their third straight defeat and worst ever performance, Pakistan still have chances for the semi-finals but will have to rely on success in the remaining four matches as well as the results of other teams. Afghanistan achieved the target in six balls at the loss of two wickets. Afghanistan won the first ODI against Pakistan due to the brilliant bowling of the spinners and the exceptional performance of the batsmen. After India and Australia, Pakistan had to face the third failure in a row. He will have to play the remaining four matches against South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand and England. Even in 2019, the Pakistani team could not qualify in the semi-finals.
Pakistan's ground fielding was also poor at Chennai's Chidambaram Stadium on Monday night. Rahmat Shah scored 77 runs off 84 balls and captain Hashmatullah Shahdi remained unbeaten on 48 runs off 45 balls. Afghanistan had earlier beaten defending champions England. Afghanistan's openers scored 130 runs in 21 overs in the first wicket partnership in pursuit of the target. Shaheen Afridi failed miserably in his first spell but when he came to bowl the 22nd over, he dismissed Rahmanullah Garbaz on the first ball. He got out after scoring 65 runs off 53 balls. Ibrahim Zadran played an innings of 87 runs off 113 balls which included ten fours. He formed a partnership of 160 runs with Rahmat Shah. Pakistan won the toss and batted first and scored 282 runs for 7 wickets against Afghanistan. Scored 61 runs in the last five overs. Earlier, the openers batted cautiously and scored 56 runs in 10 overs. Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for 17 runs off 22 balls with the help of two fours.
