NEW DELHI – Afghanistan registered a historic victory as they stunningly defeated defending champions England by 69 runs within the 13th match of the continuing ICC World Cup 2023 on Sunday. Set to chase 285, holders England may rating 215 in response earlier than being bundled out within the 41st over handy Afghanistan the most important victory of their World Cup historical past. England bought off to a dismal begin to the run chase as they misplaced Jonny Bairstow (2) within the second over with simply three runs on the board.
The reigning champions continued to sink into hassle as they misplaced wickets at common intervals with their key batters Joe Root (11), Dawid Malan (32), Jos Buttler (9) and Liam Livingstone (10) perishing with modest contributions. With half of their batters returned to the dugout, England’s hopes had been tied on Harry Brook, who waged a lone battle for his aspect with a gutsy half-century.
His resilience, nevertheless, got here to an finish within the 35th over when Mujeeb bought him caught behind and England slipped to 169/8. Brook remained the top-scorer for England with a 61-ball 66, laced up with seven boundaries and a six. Late contributions from Adil Rashid (20), Reece Topley (15), and Mark Wooden (18) solely helped England surmove the 200-run mark.
Star Afghan spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan led the bowling cost for his or her aspect by choosing up three wickets every whereas Mohammad Nabi bagged two. Pacers Naveen-ul- Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi had a wicket apiece to their names.
After being put to bat, Afghanistan bought off to a flying begin with a 114-run opening stand, dominated by Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Ibrahim Zadran contributed a mere 28 runs to the overall earlier than falling prey to Adil Rashid, who then despatched Rahmat Shah again to the pavilion within the subsequent over. Rahmanullah Gurbaz who was playing at 80, was then ran out on the following ball, lowering Afghanistan to 122-3. Gurbaz took solely 57 balls to attain 80, with the assistance of eight boundaries and 4 sixes. England bowlers capitalized and stored issues actually tight to incite Afghanistan batters to make mistakes, leading to them collapsing to 190-6 within the 37th over.
Ikram Alikhil and Rashid Khan (23) then joined arms to knit a 43-run stand to assist Afghanistan get better, however Adil Rashid struck once more to interrupt the partnership. Alikhil anchored by way of the innings and performed a gutsy knock of 58 runs from 66 deliveries, whereas Mujeeb Ur Rahman performed a brisk 28-run cameo to push Afghanistan’s whole to 277. Nevertheless, England bowlers picked back-to-back wickets and gave away solely seven extra runs for the final wicket to e book Afghanistan to 284. Adil Rashid led the bowling assault with three wickets, whereas Mark Wooden picked up two wickets.