LIVE SCORE - PAK vs AFG, ICC World Cup 2023: Toss, Blog, Videos And Updates From Chennai

Afghanistan demolishes another giant of world cricket. This also marks their first ODI victory over Pakistan. This is as big as it could get. The Afghan players are soaking every bit of this moment on the field.

Few meters away, there are many disappointed faces. This quite possibly has ended all the chances Pakistan had of making the semis. They have now lost three games on the bounce.

Alright then. That's the end of our coverage for this match. We witnessed history being made today. Another interesting clash awaits. South Africa will take on Bangladesh tomorrow in Mumbai. We will be back with another live blog for that game. See ya!

AFGHANISTAN WIN!!!

They have done it. Afghanistan have done it. What a moment, what a game. This is their first win over Pakistan in ODI cricket and they have picked the biggest stage possible to do this. Take a bow, Afghanistan!

Get ready, ladies and gentleman. It's about to happen any moment from now.

Afghanistan are two hits away now from achieving history. They need 11 runs in 18 balls.

11 runs come off Mir's over as Afghanistan now stand in the touching distance of a groundbreaking victory.

Afghanistan 264/1 in 46 overs.

30 REQUIRED OFF 30!

Only a formality remains. We are watching history unfolding in Chennai. Only a miracle can save Pakistan.

It ideally should be a cakewalk now. But looking at Afghanistan's history of ODIs against Pakistan, there is a sense of feeling that the match is not over yet.

Afghanistan 239/2 in 43 overs.

50 FOR RAHMAT SHAH!

After Zadran's dismissal, responsibility was on his shoulders to take Afghanistan out of the crisis. He has played his part well, but the main job of getting his team past the finishing line remains.

62 NEEDED OFF 60!!!

The run-chase is in its final stretch and Afghanistan are on their way to make history.

Afghanistan 221/2  in 40 overs.

Desperate review by Pakistan for an LBW. It was not even worth considering. These are signs of frustration showing up.

The pressure is released!

Rahmat and Hashmatullah Shahidi smashed a boundary each in Shadab's over as the run-chase gets back on track.

Dot balls creating pressure on Afghanistan!

Required rate is creeping up. It's over six now. Dot balls are piling up. Will Afghanistan again bottle an ODI versus Pakistan? 

Afghanistan 195/2 in 36 overs.

WICKET!!!

Hasan Ali generates extra bounce off the surface. Zadran pokes at the ball and nicks it to the wicket-keeper. Is that the opening Pakistan needed?

Target under 100 runs now!

Target gets reduced to 99. Nine wickets are remaining. Required rate is 5 and a half with 18 overs to go. What else would Afghanistan need to get better of Pakistan in an ODI. They could not get a better opportunity than this.

Afghanistan coasting towards an easy victory!!!

Nothing his happening. The game is stagnant and it's actually a better place to be for Afghanistan. They are strengthening their chances of win by taking the game deeper and not doing anything extra. 

Afghanistan 175/1 in 30 overs.

Spirit of Cricket winning over in Chennai!

Pakistan stemming the flow of runs!

Pakistan have tightened the screws but wickets are the need of the hour. They cannot do without taking wickets.

The partnership for the second wicket is picking up now with their focus still on strike rotation. Pakistan cannot afford to play the waiting game as the target is coming down with each single.

Afghanistan 156/0 in 26 overs.

Zadran and Rahmat Shah are taking the game forward with 1s and 2s as the match continues to run along nicely for Afghanistan. 

BOOM BOOM AFRIDI!!!

Shaheen comes back for his second spell and takes Pakistan a wicket straightaway. Gurbaz plays a pull and edges the ball to third-man. 

GAME ONN...

No hiding for Pakistan! #Embarrassing 

Afghanistan could not have expected better than this. 20 overs are done and both of their openers are still batting. The run-rate is also above six. 

Afghanistan 128/0 in 20 overs.

Still searching for breakthrough!

Iftikhar Ahmed stops the flow of runs, giving away only two to begin his spell. But, Pakistan desperately need a wicket.

Afghanistan 113/0 in 18 overs.

50 FOR GURBAZ!

Gurbaz also brings up his half-century and the openers have now forged a 100-run stand. Pakistan need to do something. The game is slipping away from their reach.

Spin from both ends. Shadab Khan is handed the ball, and he already is bowling half trackers. Gurbaz does not spare that.

50 FOR ZADRAN!

Zadran has matched Gurbaz shot-to-shot. He would want to convert this into a match-winning knock.

Afghanistan 98/0 in 15 overs.

Just out of reach...

Zadran slashes at the ball which was not short enough to be played on the back foot and it flies off just out of reach of the slip fielder. Disappointment grows for Pakistan.

Even Mickey Arthur has had enough!

Usama Mir comes to the attack but he too is dealt with a boundary at the start of the over.

Powerplay ends; Afghanistan are on top!

Rauf returns to bowl a maiden. He works on his length to bowl a bit shorter and reaps the rewards for it.

Afghanistan 60/0 in 10 overs.

Gurbaz welcomes Haris Rauf with 4,4,4,4!!!

Rauf comes in to the attack. Gurbaz takes no time in getting used to his pace and sends the ball bouncing beyond the ropes four times in his first over.

Successful review by Zadran!

It's out. Or is it? Zadran has reviewed it. Umpire has adjudged him caught-behind. The ultra-edge shows no spike. The review is successful.

Half of the powerplay is done and the pitch has done nothing for the pacers so far. Gurbaz and Zadran have managed to run the scoreboard with four boundaries.

Afghanistan 28/0 in 5 overs.

Shaheen comes up well in his following over but Gurbaz and Zadran have been looking good on whatever handful of deliveries they have faced so far.

Shaheen Shah Afridi struggles to find right line in his first over as Gurbaz and Zadran makes merry to greet him with two boundaries up front.

Second innings starts!

Pakistan players take the field after being in a huddle. Afghan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have walked to the crease. Umpire has called play and here we go!

Interesting innings coming up. It will not be easy for Afghanistan to chase this but if they do, it will be their first win over Pakistan in ODIs.

A thunderous end to the Pakistan innings!

Pakistan lacked the cutting edge for the most part of their innings, but the Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan partnership has given a new life to the Men in Green. At one stage, it looked they will finish on 230-240, but the aggressive batting, especially by Iftikhar has made sure that Pakistan finish on a competitive 282-7.

IFTI-MANIA IS HERE!!

Iftikhar Ahmed has completely changed the fortunes of the match. Seems like the Babar Azam wicket has been a blessing in disguise for the Men in Green. Iftikhar has so far blasted 33 off 23, and there are still 10 balls left to do the damage.

Pakistan have pressed the accelerator button!

The arrival of Iftikhar Ahmed has brought a sense of urgency in the Pakistan batting. He has hit a couple of good shots, and with 4 overs still left, the middle-order batter can do a lot of damage. AFG have to be vary now.

BABAR IS A GONER!!!!!

He had just smacked a tremendous six off Noor Ahmad, and now he departs in the same over. A short and wide delivery and he finds the man at covers. Babar looks dejected at the moment. A century was on the cards today, but now he has to wait for some other day to achieve the landmark.

Okay, Babar just smacked a magical six!

Noor Ahmad has been Afghanistan's best bowler today, and Babar struck him with a massive six. On the slot and he dispatches it over deep mid. Time for acceleration from the Pakistan captain.

Can Pakistan reach 270+?

With Iftikhar Ahmed still to come, Pakistan do have the firepower in the batting lineup. The wicket is not an easy one to bat on, but Pakistan will be eager to get somewhere around 270-275.

Fans reaction on Babar's Painful fifty!

Finally, fifty for Babar!

It has taken 69 painful deliveries, but Babar has his second fifty of World Cup 2023. Yes, he stood at one end when the wickets started to tumble, but has taken far too long to reach the landmark. Will it back-fire?

Pressure takes a toll on Saud Shakeel!

The run-rate had slowed down and someone had to take the risk. Shakeel goes for the big one, but falls pray to Mohammad Nabi. He skies the ball and finds Rashid Khan's safe pair of hands. Things have turned bad for Pakistan at the moment.

I hope Babar gets to his fifty today itself :p. This has been painful to watch.... 

Tempo has slowed down!

With plenty of spin on offer, Pakistan have slowed the tempo. Afghanistan spinners have certainly tightened the screws on the scoring rate, and they'll be eager to pick a couple of more wickets. Babar holds the key for Pakistan.

What have you done, Rizwan?

He throws his wicket away. Noor Ahmad gets the big fish as Pakistan are pushed on the back-foot. One shot too many as Rizwan once again goes for the slog sweep and gets the top-edge. The ball pitched outside the off and he still went with the shot as the ball goes straight into the hands of backward square leg fielder. AFG can now sense that they can restrict Pakistan under 250.

Excellent review by AFG! Shafique departs!

Noor Ahmad convinced his skipper to go for an lbw review, and the decision pays off. Shafique was etching closer to yet another big score, but Noor strikes to bring Afghanistan back in the contest. A brilliant googly that deceives the batter and cops a blow on the front leg. The original decision was not-out, but after the referral, it shows that the ball was hitting the stumps.

A big score on the cards?

Shafique has reached his fifty, Babar into the 30s. Pakistan have laid a strong foundation now for a big total. The AFG spinners haven't been too effective, and this is where the two batters should take advantage and go for some big shots.

Fifty up for Shafique!

A fine knock against a quality spin attack. Back-to-Back fifties by the Pakistan opener. He got an opportunity in place of Imam-ul-Haq, and the batters has capitalised it to perfection.

Partnership brewing between Shafique-Babar!

After the loss of Imam, Babar and Shafique have slowly and steadily started to resurrect the innings. Babar has quickly raced to 20 off 23 balls and this will be a big test for the Pakistan skipper against the AFG spinners. On the other hand, Shafique is quietly moving towards a fifty.

Omarzai draws the first blood for the Afghans!

Finally, after toiling so much, Afghanistan have the breakthrough. And once again, the short ball ploy has worked against Imam. Slightly short and he plays it straight into the hands of Naveen-ul-Haq at mid wicket.

50 UP FOR PAKISTAN!

Just the start the Pakistan doctored ordered. They have negotiated the Afghanistan spinners to perfection and this will be a big test for the Afghanistan bowlers against two high-quality batters in Imam and Shafique.

Stat attack!

An interesting stat just popped up. This was Pakistan's first six in the power-play in ODIs this year. Astonishing 😱

A six in the play for Pakistan in power-play!

Finally, the jinx is broke, and it has been broken by Abdullah Shafique. I can't remember the last time Pakistan had smashed a six in power-plays. Short ball from Naveen and easily dispatched by the Pakistan batter.

The pitch is already holding up. Naveen bowled a brilliant slower ball as Shafique got a leading edge. Seems like we are in for a low-scoring contest.

Let the game begin!!!!

Pakistan openers vs Afghanistan spinners. A battle to watch out for.

Pakistan playing XI

Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Afghanistan playing XI

 Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad

Toss updates!

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first on a spin friendly track

MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai Pitch Report

The surface at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be on the drier side, having significant assistance for the spinners. Although there will be marginal lateral movement, the hit-the-deck seamers, particularly Haris Rauf and Naveen-ul-Haq, could get some steep bounce. Considering it's the fourth game in Chennai, we might see the track slowing down with time, prompting the pacers to use cutters and off-pace deliveries. 

Although the ball comes slightly better onto the bat under lights, the seamers have generated swing in the evening. Also, as Pakistan and Afghanistan generally don't succeed while chasing, we reckon whichever side wins the toss will opt to bat first, avoiding bowling in Chennai's hot and humid conditions. 

 PAK VS AFG WEATHER UPDATE:

As per the latest update from weather.com, the weather forecast for the day indicates a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius with partly cloudy skies. The wind is expected to blow from the east at a speed of 13 km/h. Fortunately, there is no precipitation on the horizon, and as the day progresses, the temperature is likely to drop to 29 degrees, which will feel like 33 degrees due to the humidity, currently measured at 69%. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to a day of exciting gameplay with no interruptions from rain.

Team Preview Afghanistan:

Afghanistan need their batting to overcome its longstanding problems: the ability to withstand pace movement and to rotate strike against spin on good deliveries. 

Failing on these two fronts has forced their batters to take excessive risks to keep the scoreboard moving, giving opposition attacks a greater footing in the contest. 

It is reflective of how their campaign has transpired. Either side of the fixture against England, they've fallen below par scores on each occasion versus Bangladesh, India and New Zealand. 

Once they put up a significant total on the board and their famed spin trio led by Rashid Khan finds grip and turn later in the game, they're in with a real shout

Team Preview Pakistan:

Pakistan would've rued their middle-order failures for the last two games. While the opening stand of Abdullah Shafique and Imam-Ul-Haq continues to pack the punch and lay the right foundation, the struggle of their leading man, Babar, has piled on the pressure for the rest of the batting unit. Babar made a half-century versus the Indians but has collected only 83 runs in his four innings of the tournament. 

The skipper's struggles have caused instability at the non-Mohammad Rizwan end. Rizwan is Pakistan's leading run-getter of the competition with 294 runs and was looking in encouraging touch to take the run-chase versus Australia deep. But once he departed, Pakistan fell like a pack of cards to ultimately lose their ten wickets for 171 runs from the Shafique-Imam stand. 

With the ball, Pakistan's inexperience has stood exposed in the competition. Shaheen Afridi's failure to deliver early breakthroughs with the new ball has given the opposition a strong head start in matches, which has meant the rest of the attack has been put under the pump. Pakistan need their issues sorted out quickly or risks conceding irrevocable ground in their quest to make the semis. 

Hello and welcome to OneCricket's live blog!🫡

Today we see, Babar Azam & Co. challenge their familiar foes Afghanistan. 

Will Babar Azam enter the Top 4 or will Afghanistan hand them another upset? It would be interesting to see.