Zadran dedicates win against Pakistan to illegal Afghan refugees

Ibrahim Zadran was awarded player of the match for his 87-run knock, which helped Afghanistan register eight wicket victory over Pakistan in ICC World Cup on Monday in Chennai.

While speaking in the post-match presentation, Zadran said, "I am thankful that I performed well in this event. I wanted to play with a positive intent. Many times Gurbaz and I have done a brilliant partnership together. We have played a lot of cricket together, right from the Under-16 days. I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country."

"I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country. I want to dedicate this man of the match award to those people who have been sent back from Pakistan to Afghanistan."

This is a good use of platform - just like Rizwan used his for good, if it makes you uncomfortable - GOOD, sick of the scapegoating of minorities? Applies here too.

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— Sabah Bano Malik (@sabahbanomalik) October 23, 2023

This dedication carried poignant significance against the backdrop of recent developments where tens of thousands of Afghan nationals left Pakistan, responding to a government-imposed deadline for foreigners without proper documentation to depart by November 1 or face deportation.

Authorities in Pakistan disclosed that around 1.7 million Afghans were included in the group of foreigners required to return to their home countries due to documentation deficiencies or visa overstays. The Pakistani government, having declared the deadline in early October, pledged to carry out arrests and deportations in a "phased and orderly manner" for those who failed to comply.