Afghanistan’s historic victory over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 has earned widespread acclaim, with former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja, now serving as the mentor of the Afghanistan cricket team, applauding their remarkable performance. Afghanistan secured their first-ever ODI win against Pakistan by successfully chasing a target of 283 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Ajay Jadeja, in an old video that has gone viral on the internet, praised Afghanistan’s achievement despite their relatively short history in international cricket. He acknowledged that while most of the teams competing in the World Cup have a cricketing legacy of 100-150 years, Afghanistan has only been on the cricketing scene for 20 years. He highlighted their close matches in the past, including a tough fight against India in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Jadeja expressed his belief that labeling Afghanistan as underdogs would change the moment they defeat bigger teams, rightfully earning their place among major cricketing nations. His pivotal role in Afghanistan’s improving cricket performance has also been acknowledged by cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Shoaib Malik.
Sachin Tendulkar praised Ajay Jadeja for his influence on Afghanistan’s performance in the World Cup. Tendulkar stated that Afghanistan’s outstanding discipline, temperament, and aggressive running between the wickets may be attributed to Jadeja’s guidance. He commended Afghanistan’s victories over teams like England and Pakistan, which showcased the emerging strength of the Afghan team.
Similarly, Shoaib Malik praised Jadeja’s cricketing acumen and his role in helping Afghanistan play an attacking style of cricket. He expressed his admiration for Jadeja’s cricketing mind and recalled working with him during the 2015 World Cup.
Afghanistan’s victory over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023 match was a significant milestone for the team. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring 282 runs in 50 overs, losing 7 wickets. In response, Afghanistan successfully chased down the target in 49 overs, with Ibrahim Zadran (87) and Rahmat Shah (77) leading the charge. This memorable win marked Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI victory against Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s rising cricketing prowess and their remarkable performances in the tournament have captured the attention of the cricket world. With a formidable bowling lineup and their impressive victories over prominent teams, Afghanistan is proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
The cricketing community recognizes the contribution of Ajay Jadeja in Afghanistan’s progress and credits him for instilling a winning mindset. As Afghanistan continues to make strides in international cricket, their achievements are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the guidance provided by mentors like Ajay Jadeja. Their performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 has established Afghanistan as a team to watch out for in the future.
