In a momentous turn at the ODI World Cup 2023, Afghanistan, ranked ninth, delivered a sensational performance, toppling defending champions England by a margin of 69 runs. The fixture took place at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, October 15. Having set a commendable target of 284 runs, Afghanistan's trio of spinners - Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi - joined forces to dismantle the English batting order, claiming eight crucial wickets. England, led by Jos Buttler, crumbled, managing only 215 runs in their innings.
This victory awarded Afghanistan two points and their maiden triumph over the English side in any format. It also marked only their second World Cup win; their debut win was against Scotland back in the 2015 edition.
The magnitude of this win, especially given Afghanistan's challenges off the pitch, wasn't lost on cricketing greats. Many took to Twitter, expressing their admiration for the spirited Afghan side. Here are a few Tweets that this major upset:
Following the game, Rashid Khan spoke with a mix of emotion and purpose, reflecting on cricket's significant role in uplifting spirits in his homeland, particularly in the wake of a devastating earthquake that resulted in over 3,000 casualties.
"This victory holds immense significance for us. Such performances instil in us the belief that we are capable of overcoming any team on any given day. Cricket has always been a beacon of hope and joy for our people. Securing a win against a team like England is monumental for us, especially considering the recent tragedy back home with the earthquake. I genuinely hope this triumph provides a glimmer of happiness to our grief-stricken compatriots," Rashid shared with the media.
The passionate bowler further divulged the motivational pep talk he gave to his teammates, which encapsulated their unwavering spirit and grit. "I emphasised to the team the importance of battling till the last ball, regardless of the outcome. We set modest targets for ourselves. The essence was to leave the field with the satisfaction of giving it our all. I felt immense pride in my performance today, not just for the wickets but also for the runs I managed to score, especially that cover drive off Mark Wood. It's been a while since I've claimed three wickets, and today feels special."
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