Ibrahim Zadran, the Afghan batsman, made a remarkable statement upon receiving the Player of the Match (POTM) award for his impressive 87-run performance against Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Following his match-winning innings against Pakistan, Ibrahim Zadran, a prominent player from Afghanistan, delivered a profound message upon being honored with the Player of the Match (POTM) award for his outstanding 87-run contribution in the ICC World Cup 2023. During the post-match presentation, Zadran dedicated his Player of the Match award to Afghans who had been repatriated from Pakistan, expressing his deep satisfaction. He stated, “I am extremely proud, not only for myself but also for my nation. I wish to dedicate this Man of the Match award to those who have been returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan.”
Zadran’s standout performance saw him scoring 87 runs, with Rahmat Shah remaining unbeaten at 77 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributing a brisk 65 from 53 balls. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also made a vital contribution, accumulating 48 runs from 45 balls.
Reflecting on his approach to the game, Zadran explained, “I aimed to step onto the field with a positive mindset and intent, and I successfully did so. (Rahmanullah) Gurbaz and I have played together for many years, and we share excellent on-field communication, having been teammates since our under-16 days.”
Zadran expressed his appreciation for Gurbaz, acknowledging his crucial support. Together, the duo formed a formidable 130-run partnership.
“The support I received from Gurbaz was instrumental, helping us gain momentum in our favor. I am immensely proud of my performance and what it means for my country,” he added.
In a related development, the state-run radio of Pakistan reported that on October 21, a single day witnessed the return of 3,248 Afghan refugees to Afghanistan from Pakistan, as per Khaama Press. Pakistani authorities indicated that over 51,000 Afghans have been repatriated since the announcement of the deadline for expelling undocumented migrants.
According to a Pakistan-based news source, the government’s decision to restrict border crossings exclusively to individuals with valid passports and visas will take effect on November 1. Subsequently, crossing the Pak-Afghan border using a Pakistani identity card or Afghan permit will no longer be permitted. It is worth noting that approximately 1.73 million Afghans in Pakistan currently lack legal documentation.
This historic moment was marked by Afghanistan’s triumphant defeat of Pakistan in ODIs, as their top four batters delivered an outstanding performance. The standout performance of the day was attributed to the top-order batsmen, and Noor Ahmed’s impressive three-wicket performance added to the historic achievement.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s recurring pattern of stumbling in crucial matches emerged once again, as Afghanistan celebrated an emphatic 8-wicket victory over the ‘Men in Green’ in Chennai.
With Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring 65, Ibrahim Zadran contributing 87, and Rahmat Shah remaining unbeaten at 77, Afghanistan registered a commanding and memorable victory.