Shah, Zadran and Gurbaz fifties help Afghanistan script historic win against Pakistan
It was their first win over Pakistan in an ODI after seven losses and was also their second win this World Cup.
Afghanistan have achieved one of their most memorable victories in ODI cricket by defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in the ICC World Cup at Chennai on Monday.
It was their first win over Pakistan in an ODI after seven losses and was also their second win this World Cup.
After stunning defending champions England, Afghanistan have now defeated 1992 World Cup winners and neighbouring rivals Pakistan.
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A cool and calculated display was on by the Afghanistan top order as they chased down 283 runs needed for victory by reaching the target with an over to spare.
It was a complete team effort with the batting as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran got fifties and put on a 130-run partnership to set up the chase.
Gurbaz was aggressive as usual and scored 65 from just 53 balls with nine enterprising boundaries and a maximum.
His partner Zadran was the more subdued one as usual and scored 87 from 113 balls before getting out as the pressure of the moment got to him.
Despite that, he was adjudged the player of the match for top scoring in the innings.
It was up to Hashmatullah Shahidi (48 runs from 45 balls) and Rahmat Shah (77 runs from 84 balls) to form a 96-run partnership and guide the team home.
This was also the highest successful run chase by the Afghanistan team in ODI cricket.
The win gives them an outside chance of making the semifinals with two wins from five games and three losses.
For Pakistan, it's another blow to their chances of reaching the final four after winning the first two game but then losing three on the trott.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and captain Babar Azam chose to bat first as they put on an impressive total of 282/7 in their 50 overs.
Babar was the top scorer in the innings with 74 runs from 92 balls and was ably supported by opener Abdullah Shafique who got another half-century (58 runs from 75 balls).
The total was looking to be around 250 with the Afghanistan spinners Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmed keeping things tight.
But Shadab Khan's 40 from 38 balls and Iftikhar Ahmed's 40 from 27 balls gave Pakistan runs at the death.
Noor was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, after getting his first game after sitting out the first four as the Afghans set up the team with four spinners in a spinner-friendly Chennai pitch.
The spinner finished with bowling figures of 49/3 in his 10 overs.
Afghanistan are yet to face Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa while Pakistan's next four games are against South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand and England.
