England, the defending world champions, will undoubtedly get the wind from their front in India.
Jos Buttler’s team just lost by 69 runs against Afghanistan in Delhi. This is the Englishmen’s second defeat in three games after they also lost in their opening match against New Zealand.
Today, Afghanistan’s spinners thoroughly mesmerized the pale leg batsmen.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman got rid of Joe Root and Harry Brook, among others, while talisman Rashid Khan also took three wickets.
Afghanistan’s spinners – including Mohammad Nabi – eventually sent eight England batsmen back to the dressing room to celebrate a historic World Cup victory.
Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil scored quick runs to ensure that their team could boast of 284 runs on the scoreboard.
“It is a very proud moment to beat the defending champion team in a World Cup tournament. It’s a great achievement for the whole team and we worked really hard behind the scenes for this,” said Rahman when he received his player of the match award.
The 22-year-old breakaway bowler opened the bowling with Fazalhaq Farooqi and he admits that it is not the easiest task.
“It is admittedly a challenge to bowl in the powerplay period, but it is something I wanted to do because it might have an influence on the game. I tried to bowl as straight as possible to the wickets and I was ready for any challenge.”
England are currently fifth in the World Cup standings; just a head above Afghanistan in sixth place.
- Summary of the scorecard:
Afghanistan 284/10 in 49.5 overs: Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ikram Alikhil 58 and Adil Rashid 3/42
England 215/10 in 40.3 overs: Harry Brook 66, Rashid Khan 3/37 and Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/51.
Afghanistan scripted history with a stunning upset win over defending champions England in Delhi in a thrilling #CWC23 clash ????#ENGvAFG | ????: https://t.co/bg3maGwrG6 pic.twitter.com/YJ2Qd4dDN8
— ICC (@ICC) October 15, 2023
