Afghanistan’s 18-year-old spinner Noor Ahmad removed Pakistan captain Babar Azam in the ongoing 2023 World Cup match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday, October 23. The left-arm wrist-spinner claimed the big wicket in the 42nd over of the first innings as well.
Babar Azam looked comfortable in the middle during his 74-run knock against Afghanistan. He also smacked Ahmad for a six on the first ball of the 42nd over as well. However, he tried to increase the team’s run rate and went for another big shot on the fifth ball but the timing went wrong and the ball went straight to Mohammad Nabi as well. He got out after scoring a 92-ball 74, featuring four fours and a six.
READ MORE: Virat Kohli shares the importance of maintaining diet
“Smashed for six, Noor Ahmad responds with Babar’s wicket,” the ICC shared the video on Instagram with this caption.
View this post on Instagram
However, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat and they managed 282 runs in 50 overs which came on the back of Abdullah Shafique’s 58, and 40s each from Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed apart from the stunning knock of Babar Azam.
Babar Azam said at the toss as quoted by Cricbuzz – “We will bat first. The pitch looks very dry and might spin. We have one change, unfortunately Nawaz has fever and Shadab is back. We will have to give our 100% in every match and step-up, that’s what I want from my players. The pitch might help the pacers under lights.”
Pakistan (Playing XI): Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf
