Curated By: Aakash Biswas
Last Updated: October 24, 2023, 13:21 IST
People in Kabul celebrate Afghanistan’s historic win over Pakistan in World Cup 2023
Fireworks and celebratory gunfire raked Kabul’s skies while hundreds of fans swarmed the streets of the capital late Monday to celebrate Afghanistan’s win over Pakistan in ICC World Cup 2023.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai saw history being scripted on Monday night when Afghanistan had their first-ever ODI win against Pakistan. The Atalans showcased the utmost courage and a commendable character to register their biggest run-chase in the 50-over format. In pursuit of 283, the Afghanistan top-order put their best game on display, defeating the 1992 World Cup Champions by 8 wickets.
Afghanistan have featured in three editions of the ODI World Cup but it’s only this time when they are able to win more than one game in the showpiece event. The clinical win against Pakistan led to unending celebrations all over the country. Fireworks and celebratory gunfire raked Kabul’s skies while hundreds of fans swarmed the streets of the capital late Monday.
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Global news agency AFP reported that people hung off car doors as pedestrians danced and played music despite an effective ban on song and dance dictated by the Taliban government.
“Afghanistan has been through so much recently, such moments are always special and must be celebrated properly,” a Kabul resident Sharifullah was quoted as saying.
“It feels like we have won the World Cup. Sport always brings unity among the people. Today we are celebrating the victory as a nation,” he added.
Zadran dedicates his POTM to the people of Afghanistan
Afghanistan and Pakistan have had fractious relations since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, with Islamabad claiming Kabul is failing to rein in militants plotting strikes on its soil. Authorities recently pledged to evict 1.7 million undocumented Afghan migrants who have crossed into the country over the past several decades during successive conflicts.
After playing a superb 87-run in Afghanistan’s winning cause, opening batter Ibrahim Zadran was awarded player of the match which he dedicated to ‘people who are sent from Pakistan back home to Afghanistan’.
“I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country. I want to dedicate this Player of the Match award to that people who were sent back from Pakistan to back home in Afghanistan,” Zadran said in the post-match presentation.
(With AFP Inputs)
