Last Updated:
Ajay Jadeja said that Afghanistan have won more games than Pakistan in the last three ICC events, and their wins should never be treated as one-off victories.
Ajay Jadeja Takes Sarcastic Dig At Waqar Younis: ‘Afghanistan Have Won More Than..’ (Picture credit: Screengrab from X)
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja took a jibe at Waqar Younis on a Champions Trophy TV show, pointing out Afghanistan’s brilliant record in recent ICC events compared to that of Pakistan.
Jadeja said that Afghanistan have won more games than Pakistan in the last three ICC events, and their wins should never be treated as one-off victories.
Asked by Younis if Afghanistan could beat Australia after England, Wasim Akram said, “Absolutely. The way they won that game against England, Ibrahim Zadran played so well after they lost early wickets and then to defend 320 with a wet ball was commendable.”
The match between Afghanistan and Australia eventually resulted in a washout as the latter booked a spot in the semifinals, and the former now hope for a massive defeat for South Africa at England’s hands to stand any chance.
“They have won more games than your team, my friend, in ICC events. Anybody who thinks it’s a one-off thing is fooling themselves,” Jadeja quipped.
If England emerge victorious, South Africa and Afghanistan will both finish on three points, leading to a net run-rate calculation.
Afghanistan’s current NRR of -0.99 would almost eliminate them unless South Africa lose by a margin of more than 200 runs, which seems impossible given England’s recent run.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 273 because of Sediqullah Atal’s gritty 85 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive 67.
Atal anchored the innings after a shaky beginning, but it was Omarzai‘s late fireworks which propelled Afghanistan past 270 after they were 235/8 after Rashid Khan’s wicket.
Omarzai struck a towering six wide of long-off as Afghanistan produced a late flourish for a total that would give their spin-heavy bowling lineup a big boost.
Opting to bat, Afghanistan suffered early blows as Spencer Johnson (2/49) cleaned up Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a five-ball duck and Ibrahim Zadran (22 off 28) gifted his wicket to Adam Zampa.
Pakistan’s poor record in recent ICC tournaments
Ever since finishing as runners-up at the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan have gone downhill. They couldn’t qualify for the knockouts of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, finishing fifth. Afghanistan finished sixth in that tournament, with the same number of wins but a lower NRR.
At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pakistan lost to arch-rivals India and hosts USA to be eliminated before the knockouts in a dismal show, while Afghanistan qualified for the semifinals.
Problems have now compounded manifold for Pakistan after a group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy.
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
