CHENNAI: Following Afghanistan’s first-ever historic victory over Pakistan in ODIs, ecstatic fans celebrated the landmark triumph and expressed gratitude to people from Chennai for support.
Afghanistan created history by trouncing Pakistan for the first time in ODIs, courtesy of a fabulous batting display by Afghanistan’s top 4 and Noor Ahmed’s outstanding three-wicket haul. This is the second time the Afghanistan team caused a massive upset in the ongoing marquee event as the men of the warrior country defeated the defending champions England by 69 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Rahmat Shah (77)* starred with the bat to help Afghanistan register a commanding upset triumph.
“I am from Afghanistan and it was amazing to win the match. I want to thank Indians for supporting us, people from Chennai have supported our team,” an Afghanistan fan told ANI.
“It was amazing. Fans were so excited, they were jumping as if we had won the World Cup. This feels more exciting than winning the World Cup. Seeing Afghanistan beat Pakistan, is something really amazing. It was a wonderful match, it was perfect. I love the ground in Chennai,” an elated Afghan fan said.
An Afghan fan said that most people from Afghanistan are living in Pakistan and they should not be forced to come back. Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran, who played a match-winning knock, dedicated his Player of the Match award to the people of his country as well as the Afghans who are being deported from Pakistan.
“This is a big progress for our team and I hope Afghanistan reaches the Semi-Final as well…They (Pakistan) should not treat us like this, there should be a proper way to deal with this. Ibrahim Zadran has dedicated this victory to those people who are very sad now, and who need support. I would like to thank Ibrahim Zadran that he feels so much for the people of Afghanistan. This win is like winning the World Cup for us, we will keep winning more and more matches. Our team is getting better,” an Afghan fan said.
Afghanistan fan said, “Most people from Afghanistan are living in Pakistan. They should not force Afghanis to come back, at least they should allow them to take VISA…Afghanistan’s economy is now growing and they are not happy with it…These are the reasons, they (Pakistan) do not want us to win.”
Afghanistan will next face Sri Lanka on October 30 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. (ANI)