ICC World Cup 2023: Teenage leg-spinner Noor Ahmad takes Pakistan by surprise

Noor Ahmad (Pic: AFP)

Afghanistan's teenage leg spinner Noor Ahmad struck twice to put the brakes on Pakistan's progress in their ICC World Cup 2023 league stage game in Chennai on Monday.

The 18-year-old was brought into the team for his World Cup debut in place of fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi as Afghanistan entered the must-win game with four spinners.

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Pakistan enjoyed a strong start with a 56-run stand before Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Imam-ul-Haq for 17 in the 11th over.

Ahmad, who made headlines as a 16-year-old when he was selected to play in the Big Bash League for Melbourne Renegades, struck his first blow when he trapped opener Abdullah Shafique for 58 in the 23rd over. He then dismissed Pakistan's top scorer in the World Cup Mohammad Rizwan, caught sweeping in his next over to leave Pakistan on 120-3.

Both teams have entered the territory of must-win games and will be looking to walk away with two points at all costs. Afghanistan have only won one game in the first four matches while Pakistan have won two out of their first four matches.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said at the time of the toss, "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."

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said, "We wanted to bat first, but the toss is not in your hand. One change for us - Noor Ahmad is in for Fazalhaq Farooqi. We played a series against them in Sri Lanka and we wanted more spinning options. We want to restrict them to 250 or less."

(With agency inputs)