Afghanistan shock defending champions England at World Cup

15 October 2023 09:39 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Afghanistan pulled off one of the greatest World Cup shocks on Sunday when they defeated defending champions England by 69 runs in New Delhi.

Chasing 285 to win, after opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz had hit a blistering 80, England were bowled out for 215 despite Harry Brook's 66 with spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan claiming three wickets each.

The stunning upset gave Afghanistan just their second World Cup win to add to a lone victory over Scotland at the 2015 tournament.

They came into Sunday's clash having lost their opening two games in India and on a 14-match losing World Cup streak.

After Gurbaz and the recalled Ikram Alikhil, with 58, had given them a decent target to defend, Afghanistan's bowlers went to work, striking at regular intervals.

Jonny Bairstow (two) was lbw to Fazalhaq Farooqi in the second over before Joe Root was clean bowled by 22-year-old man of the match Mujeeb for 11.

Mohammad Nabi got rid of Dawid Malan, who made 140 against Bangladesh, for 32 to precipitate a slide which saw England slump to 138-6.

Skipper Jos Buttler was clean bowled by seamer Naveen-ul-Haq for nine, Rashid Khan had Liam Livingstone lbw on 10 before Nabi also dismissed Sam Curran (10).

England were tied down, at one stage going more than eight overs without hitting a boundary until Brook managed the team's lone six of the innings in the 31st over.

Mujeeb sent back Chris Woakes before effectively sealing the game in his next over, having Brook caught behind by Alikhil with England at 169-8.

Brook's 66 came off 61 balls with seven fours and a six.

Late fireworks from Adil Rashid (20), Reece Topley (15) and Mark Wood (18) only served to take England past the 200-mark.

Earlier, Gurbaz, 21, piled up his runs off 57 balls with eight fours and four sixes to register his eighth score in excess of fifty in his ODI career.

However, he was furious that he was unable to go on to make a sixth century when he was involved in a disastrous run-out mix-up with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi in the 19th over.

Gurbaz failed to make his ground and Buttler whipped off the bails from a throw by substitute fielder David Willey.

- Gurbaz run-out anger -
An angry Gurbaz smashed his bat into a chair as he departed with his team on 122-3.

Gurbaz had needed just 33 balls to get to his half-century as Afghanistan, put into bat, stormed to 100 without loss from 77 deliveries.

Once Gurbaz was dismissed, England's spinners dragged the champions back into the contest in the middle overs.

The impressive Adil Rashid finished with 3-42 from his 10 overs having initially broken Afghanistan's 114-run opening stand when he had Ibrahim Zadran (28) caught.

But Alikhil chimed in with a 66-ball 58 after surviving being hit on the shoulder by a 147 km/h delivery from fast bowler Mark Wood.

Mujeeb added 28 to the total off 16 balls as Afghanistan finished strongly.

England's seamers endured a day to forget with Sam Curran conceding 46 runs off four overs and new ball bowler Chris Woakes coughing up 41 off his four.

England went into Sunday's game after a loss to New Zealand and victory over Bangladesh while Afghanistan suffered heavy defeats by six wickets to Bangladesh and eight wickets to India.

(AFP)

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Comments - 14

Jude Sunday, 15 October 2023 09:47 PM

It's a historic victory and upset!!

Jude Sunday, 15 October 2023 09:50 PM

This is how you win matches, yeah put up a big score and rattle the opponent,!! NOT putting up massive score and then allow the opponent to over-haul that score, now that's not how you win matches!!

DOT Sunday, 15 October 2023 09:50 PM

Congratulations! This will bring their home citizens some consolation!

Jude Sunday, 15 October 2023 09:53 PM

People this is an upset but the biggest upset will be SL beating the Dutch team yeah Coz SL is the underdog in the clash against the Dutch team!!

Jude Sunday, 15 October 2023 10:01 PM

Before anything else could happen, SL must win against Aussies on Monday!! Thereafter any scenario is possible!!!

Quintus Christian George Sunday, 15 October 2023 10:14 PM

There were two upsets for SL fans on Sunday WC cricket. Afganistan beat England WC rugby New Zealand beat Ireland

Jude Sunday, 15 October 2023 10:25 PM

Back in 2011 world Cup finals SL Made 4 changes apparently for no reason!! Now come Monday strengthen the bowling attack And make the necessary bold changes yeah Coz this game a must win against the Aussies.

Karu Monday, 16 October 2023 03:25 AM

Not the first time England lose to weaker teams in WC...In 1992 vs Zim, in 2011 vs Ireland and many in T20.

crickball Monday, 16 October 2023 06:29 AM

Well Done Team Afghanistan. The more and more I see you guys, really feel that you have great mental strength. Definitely you have some good talent. Enjoy the win.!!!!

Jerome Monday, 16 October 2023 08:13 AM

By gone history and prophesies work

Roshan Monday, 16 October 2023 09:01 AM

England are a good team. They struggle in pitches in sub continent and playing conditions. Congrats to the Afghanistan team.

Jerome Monday, 16 October 2023 11:51 AM

....prophesies work like penalty tools. SA spring thru....

Mario Monday, 16 October 2023 12:23 PM

Terrible upset. Congratulations to the Afghan team who beat England for the first time. Three teams who I thought would do well, England, Australia

wsw Monday, 16 October 2023 12:43 PM

Luck has finally run out for the current world champs, who dubiously won the cup simply by hitting more boundaries than NZ, in that epic tied final.

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Afghanistan shock defending champions England at World Cup

Comments - 14

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