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ICC World Cup 2023: Despite Riyad heroics, Proteas complete demolition job to send Bangladesh 10th
Bangladesh faced a resounding defeat in the ICC World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa on Tuesday in Mumbai. After conceding nearly 400 runs while fielding first (AidenMarkram won the toss), Bangladesh were all out for 233, to go down by 149 runs.
Amidst the adversity, Mahmudullah Riyad stood out as a lone warrior for Bangladesh, defying all odds to achieve a remarkable run-a-ball century. The next highest scorer for Bangladesh was Litton Das with 22, which took 44 balls.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: De Kock and Klaasen power South Africa to massive total against Bangladesh
Coming in when Bangladesh had already lost half their wickets and with the outcome seemingly inevitable, Mahmudullah displayed exceptional resilience, securing his third century in ICC World Cups, adding to his previous two in the 2015 edition.
Despite Mahmudullah's late heroics, Bangladesh's performance left much to be desired. Their bowling unit struggled, conceding nearly 400 runs, and their reply to South Africa's formidable total was doomed from the start, and ultimately insufficient.
Also read: World Cup 2023: South Africa Opt to Bat First vs Bangladesh; Shakib Makes a Return
In contrast, South Africa posted an imposing total of 382/5 while batting in the first innings, with Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen leading the charge.
Although Bangladesh's bowlers showed promise by claiming two wickets in the early overs, the Proteas displayed remarkable resilience, gradually rebuilding their innings.
Also read: World Cup 2023: Bangladesh Make Perfect Start, Claim Two Early South African Wickets
De Kock's century, achieved off the first ball of the 35th over in 101 balls, showcased his exceptional form and adaptability, marking his third century in the ongoing World Cup.
His outstanding performance culminated in an impressive 174 off 140 balls, including 15 fours and seven sixes. He is now the highest run-scorer at this year's World Cup with 407 runs from 5 innings. He also has the most centuries, and the highest individual score of this edition of the Men's ODI World Cup.
Klaasen's explosive style added to the onslaught, as he scored 90 off 49 balls, while Aiden Markram contributed significantly with 60 runs off 69 balls.
Hasan Mahmud was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, claiming two wickets. With this defeat, Bangladesh faces a tougher road to the next phase -needing to win all remaining fixtures while also hoping other results go their way. Their next match is against the Netherlands in Kolkata.//
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ICC World Cup 2023: De Kock and Klaasen power South Africa to massive total against Bangladesh
In an exhilarating showdown, South Africa amassed a colossal total of 382 runs.
Quinton de Kock led the charge, with Heinrich Klaasen adding impetus, setting a formidable target for Bangladesh in their ICC World Cup clash in Mumbai.
Also read: World Cup 2023: South Africa Opt to Bat First vs Bangladesh; Shakib Makes a Return
While Bangladesh showed promise at the start, the Proteas demonstrated exceptional resilience, methodically rebuilding their innings. De Kock emerged as the linchpin of this recovery, steering his team through a challenging phase.
In a moment of sheer brilliance, de Kock reached his century off the first delivery of the 35th over, achieving the milestone in 101 balls, embellished with six boundaries and four towering sixes.
Also read: World Cup 2023: Bangladesh Make Perfect Start, Claim Two Early South African Wickets
This monumental feat marks his third century in the ongoing World Cup, highlighting his pivotal role in the South African batting lineup. His composed presence at the crease is a testament to his exceptional form and adaptability.
De Kock concluded with an impressive 174 off 140 balls, including 15 fours and seven sixes.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh to take on South Africa Tuesday with Shakib's return in sight
Klaasen, on the other hand, exhibited a more explosive style, scoring 90 off just 49 balls, featuring two fours and eight sixes. Aiden Markram also contributed significantly, with 60 runs off 69 balls.
During the death overs against England, South Africa scored 143. Now, facing Bangladesh, they posted 144 at the same venue.
Despite a promising start from Bangladesh's bowlers, who took two wickets inside eight overs, they may rue missed opportunities. On several occasions, they came perilously close to inflicting further damage on the Proteas. These near-misses could prove pivotal in the context of the match, as South Africa capitalised on their fortune.
This marks the highest total against Bangladesh in this World Cup so far.
Bangladesh have never scored this many runs in ODIs. To win this match, they must break all the records in their cricketing history.
World Cup 2023: South Africa Recover After Early Blow as De Kock's Masterclass Shines
In a crucial match, Bangladesh's Shoriful Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz made a strong start by taking two early wickets. This put South Africa on the back foot in their ICC World Cup 2023 game in Mumbai on Tuesday.
At the 35-over mark, South Africa stood at 196 for three, with Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen standing strong at 101 and 19 not out, respectively.
Despite a promising start from Bangladesh, the Proteas showcased exceptional resilience, methodically reconstructing their innings. Quinton de Kock emerged as the linchpin of this recovery, steering his team through a challenging phase.
World Cup 2023: Bangladesh Make Perfect Start, Claim Two Early South African Wickets
In a moment of sheer brilliance, de Kock notched up his ton off the first delivery of the 35th over, reaching the milestone in 101 balls, embellished with six boundaries and four towering sixes.
This monumental achievement marks his third century in the ongoing World Cup, underscoring his pivotal role in the South African batting lineup. His composed presence at the crease is a testament to his exceptional form and adaptability.
Despite a promising start from Bangladesh's bowlers, they may rue missed opportunities. On several occasions, they came perilously close to inflicting further damage on the Proteas. These near-misses could prove pivotal in the context of the match, as South Africa looks to capitalize on their fortune.
World Cup 2023: South Africa Opt to Bat First vs Bangladesh; Shakib Makes a Return
As the innings hurtles into its final 15 overs, the balance of momentum appears delicately poised. South Africa, led by de Kock, seems to have wrested control, yet Bangladesh remains eager to reclaim the control.
Preview of AUS vs. NL ODI in the ICC World Cup 2023
World Cup 2023: Bangladesh Make Perfect Start, Claim Two Early South African Wickets
Bangladesh had a stunning beginning in their ICC World Cup 2023 match against South Africa, securing two early wickets, courtesy of Shoriful Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Bangladesh's captain, Shakib Al Hasan, made a comeback in this match after being sidelined in the previous one due to an injury. He introduced Mehidy to bowl in the second over.
Read: World Cup 2023: South Africa Opt to Bat First vs Bangladesh; Shakib Makes a Return
The right-arm spinner came close to getting his first victim, but Tanzid Hasan Tamim missed a regulation catch off Reeza Hendricks at the slip region.
In the seventh over, Shoriful trapped Hendricks with an inswinger. Hendricks attempted a loose shot and missed everything, resulting in his stumps being shattered.
In the eighth over, Rassie van der Dussen failed to connect with an excellent delivery from Mehidy, which struck his pads. The umpire didn't hesitate to declare it an lbw.
Read: World Cup 2023: Pakistan negotiate Afghan spin threat to post 282
Within eight overs, South Africa lost two wickets, scoring only 36 runs.
Preview of AUS vs. NL ODI in the ICC World Cup 2023
The 24th match of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, featuring Australia and the Netherlands, is scheduled to take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The match will begin at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time on October 25. Let’s see the match preview and what to expect from this match.
Australia vs. Netherlands ODI in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup: Match Preview
Australia Team’s Performance in the Ongoing ICC ODI World Cup
Australia wants to keep winning in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 as they face the Netherlands in Delhi. The Aussies lost their first two matches but then won two in a row. On the other hand, the Dutch beat South Africa but lost to Sri Lanka.
Australia had tough losses against India and South Africa, but they bounced back with strong victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Still, they have room for improvement, especially in their middle-order and fast-bowling. The Netherlands will be aware of these weaknesses when they face Australia on Wednesday.
In the last match, Australia got a 62-run win over Pakistan. After this win, Australia, led by Pat Cummins, is starting to match their status as favorites in the tournament. They secured two vital wins after two subpar performances, with the Australian batting shining in an impressive display against Pakistan in Bengaluru. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh played outstanding centuries to lead Australia to a 62-run win over Pakistan in the fourth match for both teams at the Cricket World Cup 2023. The bowling has also seen gradual improvement, notably with Adam Zampa finding his form and taking two consecutive four-wicket performances.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Performance of the Netherlands Team in the Ongoing ICC ODI World Cup
The Dutch team had a great win against South Africa, but they suffered a five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka. However, they can find encouragement in their strong performance in that game. Even though they were struggling at 91/6, the Netherlands’ batting showed a bounce back after an initial setback, but it hasn’t provided adequate support to the bowlers. A remarkable partnership between Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek helped them reach a competitive total of 262. They also made a good start with the ball, taking two early wickets, but Sri Lanka ultimately outperformed them on that day. Speaking of the bowlers, the Netherlands has seen good performances from players like Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, and Aryan Dutt.
While the Netherlands is expected to play with the regular squad, Australia might include their regular opener, Travis Head, in the playing XI. But according to recent news, Australia’s opener, Travis Head, is in good condition but is unlikely to make a comeback against the Netherlands. He has missed all the World Cup matches so far due to an injury. Travis Head suffered a left-hand fracture during Australia’s tour of South Africa in September 2023.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Australia vs. Netherlands Head-to-Head ODI Records
Australia and the Netherlands have played two ODI matches against each other. Out of these two games, Australia won both.
Table: Australia vs Netherlands Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Matches
Australia Won
Netherlands Won
2
2
0
Predicted Playing XI for Australia
David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Men's ODI Squad Analysis
Predicted Playing XI for the Netherlands
Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (c & wk), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren.
Australian Players to Watch in AUS vs. NL Match
David Warner
David Warner leads as the highest run-scorer for Australia, amassing 228 runs with a strike rate of 109.09. He has hit 10 sixes and 22 fours. However, his performance in the last match against Pakistan was very incredible. He scored 163 runs from 124 balls, and he might replicate the same performance in the next match against the Dutch.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith, usually the key batsman for the Australian team, has had a relatively quiet performance in the World Cup up to this point. He has experienced a duck and two single-digit scores, with his highest score being 46 against India in their first match. However, as a batter, Smith’s caliber is not likely to stay out of form for too long. He is overdue for a significant innings and might consider the Netherlands’ bowling attack as an opportunity to regain his top form.
Adam Zampa
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa had a shaky start in the first two games but found his form in the following two matches, achieving consecutive four-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. His impressive performances contributed to Australia’s two recent victories, highlighting the impact he can make. Zampa aims to use his sharp leg-break deliveries to trouble the Netherlands’ batting lineup and maintain his strong form.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
Dutch Players to Watch in AUS vs. NL Match
Paul van Meekeren
Paul van Meekeren will play a crucial role in that effort, striving to demonstrate the same determined spirit and skills that have brought the Netherlands this far. The right-arm pacer is known for his discipline and possesses a solid yorker, qualities that could prove valuable when facing the aggressive Australian batters. Meekeren got 6 wickets from 4 matches.
Scott Edwards
Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, who has Australian roots, might pose a significant challenge for Zampa. Edwards is an aggressive batsman known for his prowess in sweeping and reverse-sweeping spinners. Given the key roles of Edwards, his performance on the field could have a crucial impact on the overall outcome of the match. In his four World Cup 2023 matches, Edward scored 124 runs.
Colin Ackermann
Colin Ackermann leads as the highest run-scorer for the Netherlands, accumulating 127 runs at a strike rate of 84.66, including 14 fours. However, Ackermann gave his best performance so far against New Zealand by scoring 69 runs from 98 balls.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
Final Words
On paper, Australia is the favored team to win Wednesday’s (October 25, 2023) match. However, considering the Netherlands’ performances in the World Cup thus far, they are a team that should not be underestimated. Despite all the facts and performance, our prediction goes for Australia to win the AUS vs. NL match in the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup Tournament.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
World Cup 2023: South Africa Opt to Bat First vs Bangladesh; Shakib Makes a Return
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first in Tuesday's ICC World Cup encounter in Mumbai against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's captain, Shakib Al Hasan, is making a comeback in this match after being sidelined in the previous match against India due to a thigh muscle injury. In favor of Shakib, Bangladesh decided to overlook Towhid Hirody, who has been struggling to find good form.
While Bangladesh welcomes back their captain, South Africa will be led by stand-in captain Aiden Markram. Their regular captain Temba Bavuma is suffering from sickness.
Read: ICC World Cup 2023: Afghanistan register first ever win against Pakistan, now sniffing at semis
Bangladesh have played four matches in the World Cup so far, losing three. In contrast, South Africa secured a victory against the current world champions, England, in their last match.
A win in this match will significantly improve South Africa’s chances to qualify for the last four, while a defeat will result in a tougher path for Bangladesh.
Read: ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh to take on South Africa Tuesday with Shakib's return in sight
Bangladesh playing XI: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman
South Africa playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lizaad Williams.
Read more: World Cup 2023: Pakistan negotiate Afghan spin threat to post 282
ICC World Cup 2023: Afghanistan register first ever win against Pakistan, now sniffing at semis
In a stunning upset, Afghanistan clinched their first-ever win against Pakistan in ODIs in Chennai on Monday. This victory, by 8 wickets in a display of sheer dominance, follows their earlier triumph against England, and leaves the war-torn nation with a serious shot at qualification for the semifinals.
Led by an aggressive opening partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan easily chased down the challenging target of 283 set for them by their far more pedigreed neighbours, almost never looking troubled. Pakistan's bowlers hardly got a look in.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan choose to bat against Afghanistan, both eyeing victory
Once Zadran and Gurbaz departed, Rahmat Shah and Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi's unbeaten 96-run stand secured the win. Shah scored 77 not out while Shahidi added 48, sealing the victory with a boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi with the scores level.
Pakistan, opting to bat, managed 282-7, with captain Babar Azam (74) and Abdullah Shafique (58) scoring half-centuries.
Also read: World Cup 2023: Pakistan negotiate Afghan spin threat to post 282
“This win tastes nice. The way we chased today, it was very professional," said Shahidi, reflecting on their historic World Cup journey.
The jubilant Afghanistan players received a resounding ovation from the crowd at the Chidambaram Stadium as they embarked on a celebratory victory lap, with star legspinner Rashid Khan proudly donning the country’s flag.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh to take on South Africa Tuesday with Shakib's return in sight
It also marked Afghanistan's highest, highest successful chase in an ODI, surpassing the 274 against the United Arab Emirates nine years prior.
A third successive loss pushed Pakistan into a must-win situation for a place in the semifinals with only four points from five matches. Afghanistan also kept its slim hopes alive with four points in as many games as it moved into the No. 6 spot, behind Pakistan on net run-rate, leaving England at the bottom of the table.
Pakistan has struggled to make up for the absence of Naseem Shah after the fast bowler was ruled out for the tournament due to shoulder injury.
The pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf couldn’t strike early and let Gurbaz and Zadran score at a brisk pace in the powerplay.
The selection of two legspinners – Shadab Khan and Usama Mir – also backfired as both spinners bowled plenty of full tosses and couldn’t find their lengths.
Gurbaz finally got out when he tried to slice Afridi in his return spell, but the century partnership had already raised Afghanistan’s hopes of striking another upset.
Zadran looked set for a century before Hasan found an outside edge but the spinners continued to leak runs with Shahidi and Shah rotating strike at ease before taking Afghanistan home to a memorable win with an over to spare.
Babar's cautious 92-ball innings laid a solid foundation for Pakistan's late onslaught, complemented by Iftikhar Ahmed's explosive 40 off 27, featuring four sixes and two fours. In his debut World Cup match, 18-year-old left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad kept Babar in check on a sluggish pitch, claiming an impressive 3-49.
Shafique displayed early aggression, notching two sixes and five boundaries before the spinners tightened the screws. Ahmad swiftly took two wickets, dismissing Shafique lbw and top-edging a sweep from Pakistan's leading scorer in the tournament, Mohammad Rizwan, who managed only eight.
Mohammad Nabi bowled an economical 10-over spell, snagging Saud Shakeel's wicket before Ahmad caught Babar at extra cover in the 42nd over. Shadab and Iftikhar then hammered 61 off the last five overs, but it wasn't sufficient against the clinical Afghan side.
ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh to take on South Africa Tuesday with Shakib's return in sight
As Bangladesh gear up for their next clash against South Africa on Tuesday, captain Shakib Al Hasan’s participation remains uncertain, lingering until Monday evening.
Shakib, who warmed up with over 40 minutes of batting practice ahead of the last ICC World Cup match against India, ultimately did not play.
Also read: Preview of BAN vs. SA ODI in ICC World Cup 2023
"If everything goes well, I will be playing tomorrow," stated Shakib on Monday, though he refrained from confirming his availability.
In contrast, Bangladesh faces a confirmed absence in the form of Taskin Ahmed, who is struggling with both form and fitness, ruling him out of the South Africa encounter.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Adding to Bangladesh's challenges, head coach Chandika Hathrusinga was notably absent from the Tigers' last practice session due to an unconfirmed illness.
While Bangladesh prepares to face South Africa, the Proteas await the return of their captain, Temba Bavuma.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Aiden Markram, addressing the media on Monday, mentioned that while Bavuma is making progress, his participation in the Bangladesh match is still pending a final decision.
With only one victory in four matches so far, a further defeat in Tuesday’s match could significantly narrow Bangladesh's path to the next phase.
Markram emphasised the importance of the match, stating, "It's obviously a massive game for us. We haven't done particularly well against them in the past."
Although Bangladesh has developed a respected pace attack over recent years, their performance in the World Cup has not met expectations. This struggle is once again under scrutiny ahead of the crucial encounter against South Africa. Another stumble could make it difficult for Bangladesh to overcome a team that has proven itself to be a formidable force in the World Cup.
In their last match, Bangladesh secured a significant victory over England, the reigning world champions, making the remainder of the World Cup a challenging journey for the English side.
In previous ICC World Cup encounters, Bangladesh has faced South Africa four times and emerged victorious on two occasions. While this statistic suggests parity, South Africa's consistent dominance in the World Cup stands out, with three wins in four matches and just one defeat.
Indian cricket legend Bishan Singh Bedi dies at 77
Bishan Bedi, the India cricket great whose dazzling left-arm spin claimed 266 test wickets, has died. He was 77.
The death of Bedi, who underwent multiple surgeries over the last two years that included a knee operation a month ago, was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Monday.
“The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India Test Captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi,” the BCCI wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fans in these tough times. May his soul rest in peace.”
Read: Ayub Bachchu’s fifth death anniversary on Wednesday
Bedi was part of the famous Indian spin quartet with Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Srinivas Venkataraghavan in the 1970s.
He grabbed his 266 wickets in 67 test matches, but played only 10 ODIs between 1974-79, picking up seven wickets. He took 1,560 first-class wickets — the most by any Indian bowler ever — playing for various teams including Delhi and Northern Punjab in India and Northamptonshire in England.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, saying on X: “His passion for the sport was unwavering and his exemplary bowling performances led India to numerous memorable victories.
“He will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers. Condolences to his family and admirers.”
Bedi made an impressive test debut in a series against Australia in 1969-70 when he picked up 21 wickets. He kept on troubling other major test playing nations like West Indies and England before eventually succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan as India skipper in 1976. His first win as test captain came at Port-of-Spain when India chased down a historic 406. He led India 22 times in total, winning six of them.
Geoff Allardice, chief executive of the International Cricket Council, said Bedi was one of the masters of flight and turn.
“I would like to extend heartfelt condolences from everyone at the ICC to the family of one of the greats of the game and one whose exploits in test cricket will be remembered for a long time," Allardice said. “He was the kind of spinner who could excel in different conditions and would have been one of the greats in any era.”
Known for wearing colorful patkas and a graceful delivery hiding devastating variety, Bedi was outspoken on the field and often got embroiled in controversies.
Read: Seminar, film screening to commemorate late film personalities Syed Salahuddin Zaki and Mahbub Alam
In 1976 he declared India’s second innings early at Kingston to protest intimidatory bowling by Caribbean fast bowlers. With three Indian batters already out of the game after being hit by West Indies pacers, Bedi claimed there weren’t enough fit players available to come out and bat. West Indies eventually won the test match by 10 wickets.
Bedi also criticized Sri Lanka spin great Muttiah Muralitharan for his bowling action. He refused to compete in Kerry Packer’s lucrative World Series Cricket in 1978 and claimed that he was approached by the rebel cricket league.
But his love for the game was clear, even when on the receiving end. Cricinfo.com website said Bedi “often applauded batters when they hit him for six.”
World Cup 2023: Pakistan negotiate Afghan spin threat to post 282
Pakistan achieved a competitive total of 282/7 in their ICC World Cup face-off against Afghanistan on Monday in Chennai.
In a match featuring Afghanistan's four genuine spinners, Pakistan navigated their innings with caution, as five of their seven wickets fell to the spinners.
Read: AFC Cup: Bashundhara Kings finally leaves for Kolkata
Eighteen-year-old spinner Noor Ahmed shone for Afghanistan, securing three crucial wickets in his debut World Cup match.
Pakistan effectively thwarted Rashid Khan, who remained wicketless, conceding 41 runs in his 10 overs. Similarly, Mujeeb Ur Rahman went without a wicket, giving away 55 runs in his eight overs.
Abdullah Shafique showcased his prowess on the grand stage, contributing a solid 58, while his opening partner notched 17.
Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, led by example with a composed 74 off 92 balls. Iftikhar Ahmed's explosive 27-ball 40, featuring four sixes and two fours, propelled Pakistan beyond the 280-mark.
Read: ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan choose to bat against Afghanistan, both eyeing victory
Both teams entered this match with a thirst for victory, having suffered defeats in their previous encounters in the World Cup. Afghanistan currently occupies the bottom rung of the points table among ten teams, while Pakistan holds the fifth spot. A loss in this match would significantly diminish Afghanistan's chances of progressing to the next phase of the World Cup. Conversely, a Pakistan loss would leave a slim margin for error in their campaign.