Kabul's skies were illuminated by fireworks and celebratory gunfire as Afghans rejoiced in their remarkable eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup, marking a rare moment of public jubilation.
Late on Monday, hundreds of fans flooded the capital's streets, contributing to the cacophony of honking car horns that traffic wardens struggled to control. Passengers hung out of car doors in ecstasy, while pedestrians defied the Taliban's ban on song and dance by dancing and playing music.
Afghanistan's remarkable performance in both batting and bowling allowed them to successfully chase down a formidable 283-run target set by Pakistan, achieving their first-ever victory over their rivals in eight ODIs. This triumph came just a week after their stunning win over defending champions England.
In recent days, Afghans have been glued to screens of all sizes, from mobile phones to restaurant TVs and a limited number of big screens in public parks, to follow the country's cricket journey.
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been strained since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of not doing enough to control militants planning attacks on Pakistani soil.
Authorities have also recently committed to expelling 1.7 million undocumented Afghan migrants who have crossed into Pakistan over the past few decades during various conflicts.
Ibrahim Zadran, the opening batsman who scored 87 runs, was named the player of the match and dedicated the win to "people who are sent from Pakistan back home to Afghanistan."
(With AFP inputs)
