"We can't even call it an upset" - Aakash Chopra on Afghanistan's World Cup 2023 win vs Pakistan

Aakash Chopra feels Afghanistan's World Cup 2023 win against Pakistan cannot be termed an upset.

The Men in Green set Afghanistan a 283-run target at Chepauk in Chennai on Monday, October 23. Hashmatullah Shahidi and company chased down the score with eight wickets and an over to spare to register their second win of the tournament and hand Pakistan their third consecutive defeat.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that Afghanistan ending their barren run in ODIs against Pakistan wasn't a surprising result. He elaborated (0:01):

"Pakistan came to India with the plan of making it 7-1. That couldn't happen, it became 8-0. That was the story in Ahmedabad. Pakistan wanted to make it 8-0 against Afghanistan, that too didn't happen. It has become 7-1 because Afghanistan have defeated Pakistan."

The former India opener added:

"We can't even call it an upset now. How can it be an upset - they defeated England and here they have defeated Pakistan by eight wickets. They have done an amazing job. Dhoti phad ke rumal kar diya hai."

However, Chopra pointed out that Pakistan should have won the game, considering they won the toss, got the chance to bat first, and posted a supposedly above-par total. He added that their bowling is no longer as formidable as it used to be.

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"Afghanistan are showing that they can't be taken lightly" - Aakash Chopra

Afghanistan jumped to sixth spot in the points table after their win against Pakistan. [P/C: AP]

While highlighting Pakistan's losing spree, Aakash Chopra added that Afghanistan are proving that they are no pushovers. He said (5:00):

"Pakistan have lost their third consecutive game. Three on the bounce - India, Australia and Afghanistan. On the other hand, Afghanistan are showing that they can't be taken lightly."

The reputed commentator concluded by highlighting that Afghanistan have already stunned two stronger teams on paper and could pose a challenge to some of the other top sides as well. He observed:

"They lost the Bangladesh game wrongly in Dharamsala. Otherwise, this team is giving a serious threat that they will floor a few big teams. They have already defeated two. Don't know whether you are considering Pakistan a big team or not but they have floored Pakistan, there is no doubt about that."

Afghanistan face Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Australia and South Africa in their remaining four league games. Wins in three of those matches might give them an outside chance of making it through to the semifinals.