WATCH: Waqar Younis and Matthew Hayden heartbroken in commentary box after Pakistan’s shocking defeat to Afghanistan in 2023 World Cup

Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup in Chennai on Monday, October 23. After suffering back-to-back defeats against India and Australia, Babar Azam and Co. came aiming to bounce back against Afghanistan. However, they were just annihilated by a team labelled as underdogs in the tournament.

Afghanistan have come close to victory several times in ODIs against Pakistan, but have never tasted success in their last seven meetings. Finally, they broke the jinx at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and what better platform to achieve that than the World Cup? Pakistan’s shock defeat stunned the entire cricketing fraternity and the two legends in the commentary box, Waqar Younis and Matthew Hayden, looked heartbroken.

Former Pakistan pacer Younis, who captained them and even coached the national players, was left speechless after Afghanistan’s coup over his nation. Former Australia opener Hayden, who mentored the Pakistan team in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup, was also in disbelief. The two were sitting alongside Mpumelelo Mbangwa in the commentary box as a video of the final moments of the historic game went viral on social media.

“And there it is. Momentous. Historic. The first time Afghanistan have won two matches in a World Cup. Absolutely fantastic. A controlled and skillful and dominant run chase against former champions Pakistan. They have doubled up on celebrations,” said former Zimbabwe cricketer Mbangwa on air.

Watch the video below: 

Younis and Hayden were quiet but their reaction spoke volumes about the emotions they were going through after Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi hit the winning run.

The way we chased today, we’ll do it again: Hashmatullah Shahidi

Before entering the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan managed to win only one game in two editions. But this time they have already won two matches, that too against the two favourites, England and Pakistan. In the post-match presentation, the Afghan skipper said that the victory was a result of their quality cricket in the last two years.

“This win tastes nice. The way we chased was very professional. Looking forward for the other games. The way we chased today, we’ll do it again. The quality cricket that we have been playing from the last couple of years, the belief was there when we were playing the Asia Cup also. At the start of the tournament, I said that we want to make this tournament historic for our country people. First was England, today Pakistan, looking forward for the other games. We’ll try our best to play positive cricket and do a lot for our country in this World Cup,” Shahidi said after the match.