Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran shames Pakistan, dedicates Player of the Match award to refugees Pak turned back

Ibrahim Zadran's outstanding performance in the ICC World Cup 2023, where he scored a match-winning 87 runs against Pakistan and dedicated his Player of the Match award to Afghan refugees deported from Pakistan, was a significant moment in Afghan cricket.

Ibrahim Zadran's remarkable performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 marked a significant moment in Afghan cricket. His exceptional innings of 87 runs, which secured victory over Pakistan, earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. During the post-match presentation, Zadran dedicated his award to Afghan refugees deported from Pakistan, expressing gratitude for his achievements and solidarity with his fellow countrymen.

Zadran's outstanding batting display, in tandem with the substantial contributions from fellow Afghan cricketers like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah, culminated in a historic triumph over Pakistan in ODIs. This victory underscored Afghanistan's burgeoning prowess in international cricket.

In his own words, Zadran expressed, "I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country. I want to dedicate this Man of the Match award to those who are sent back to Afghanistan from Pakistan."

The situation concerning the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has raised significant concerns. The Pakistani government had imposed a deadline for the expulsion of undocumented migrants, resulting in a substantial number of deportations. Furthermore, Pakistan instituted stringent border crossing restrictions, necessitating valid passports and visas for entry.

These decisions have particularly impacted the approximately 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. The move garnered strong criticism from the Taliban-led Afghan government, with Kabul deeming it "unacceptable."

Zadran's heartfelt statement gained widespread attention across various media outlets, with many users praising his gesture. Some even drew parallels to Pakistani wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan's pro-Palestine remarks after their victory against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament.

Afghanistan made history by defeating Pakistan in ODIs for the first time, thanks to a remarkable batting performance by the top four batsmen and Noor Ahmed's exceptional three-wicket haul. Zadran, as the Afghan opener, played a pivotal role in a dynamic 130-run opening partnership with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), which played a crucial part in Afghanistan's successful chase of 283 against Pakistan's bowling attack, which was not at its best.