Picture : ICC / X
In one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history Afghanistan shocked defending champions England by 69 runs in a CWC23 encounter at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley stadium.
England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bowl first . And Afghan batters made Buttler re-think his move as they started on very positive note with their openers putting on a 114 for the first wicket . Rahmanullah Gurbaz was brilliant at the top with range of shots all-round the wicket and looked at ease to score a ton . He scored a superb 80 ( 57 balls 8 fours, 4 sixes) unfortunately run- out. His partner Ibrahim Zadran scored ( 28 ) .
Afghanistan lost their way in the middle losing flurry of wickets – Rahmat Shah ( 3), Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi ( 14), Azmatullah Omarzai ( 19 ), Mohammad Nabi ( 9) . But the 23- year-old Ikram Alikhil scored a timely impressive 58 ( 66 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes). Rashid Khan ( 28 ) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman ( 28) played important cameos towards the end that helped Afghanistan reach a total of 284 . The Afghan skipper though at the toss was confident that the team could post a 300 plus total on the pitch that was laid .
For England , the bowling figures were : Chris Woakes 1/ 41 ( 10 overs) , Reece Topley 1/ 52 ( 8.5 overs) , Sam Curran 0/ 46 ( 4 overs) , Adil Rashid put brakes on Afghans with 3/ 42 ( 10 overs) , Mark Wood 2/ 50 ( 9 overs) , Liam Livingstone 1/ 33 ( 10 overs), Joe Root 1/ 19 ( 4 overs)
In reply England got off to a shaky start , as Afghanistan bowlers struck early blows to rock England chase . Jonny Bairstow ( 2). Dawid Malan ( 32) , Joe Root ( 11) , Skipper Jos Buttler ( 9) , Liam Livingstone ( 10 ) . England innings were in tatters at 91/ 4 in 17. 2 overs. Only Harry Brook 66 ( 61 balls, 7 fours , 1 six) delayed the inevitable . England succumbed to the excellent bowling from Afghanistan spin Troika – Rashid Khan , Mujeeb Ur Rahman who both claimed three wickets each while Mohammad Nabi ( he was playing his 150th match and his experience was handy ) picked two. England were eventually bowled out for 215 in 40. 3 overs. The spin trio play in the IPL and hence know the conditions well.
Afghanistan bowling particularly the spin trio were superb with excellent figures – Rashid Khan 3/ 37 ( 9.3 overs) , Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/ 51 ( 10 overs) , Mohammad Nabi 2/ 16 ( 6 overs), Fazalhaq Farooqi 1/ 50 ( 7 overs) , Naveen-ul-Haq 1/ 44 ( 6 overs) , Azmatullah Omarzai 0/ 13 ( 2 overs)
Match: World Cup 2023, 13th Match
Venue: Delhi | Date: October 15, 2023
