The ninth ranked Afghanistan caused a massive ODI World Cup 2023 upset as they shocked the defending champions England by 69 runs at the Arun Jaitley stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, October 15.
After posting a total of 284, Afghanistan's spinners wreaked havoc on England's batters to notch their first ever win over Englishmen across formats. Three Afghan spinners, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi combined to dismiss eight wickets to break England's back as Jos Buttler's men were folded for 215. With this Afghanistan marked their first win of the tournament, pocketing two points. This was Afghanistan's second win ever in the World Cup history as their first came against Scotland in 2015 World Cup.
After posting a respectable total on the scoreboard, Afghanistan sought early breakthroughs to put England under pressure. Fazalhaq Farooqi caused the first breakthrough by angling one back into Jonny Bairstow, trapping him leg-before for just two runs.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman intensified England's woes with a quicker delivery that disturbed Joe Root's stumps. At 33/2, England found themselves in an early predicament, and Afghanistan aspired for something extraordinary.
Dawid Malan then gifted a straightforward catch to the cover fielder off Mohammad Nabi, while Jos Buttler was comprehensively cleaned up by Naveen-ul-Haq after a shaky stint at the crease. Afghanistan firmly dominated the proceedings before the 20th over.
They continued to tighten the noose on England as Rashid Khan secured the prized wicket of Liam Livingstone in the 21st over, leaving the defending champions in dire straits at 117/5.
Harry Brook valiantly held the England innings together, notching his second ODI half-century and effectively countering the threat posed by Rashid Khan. However, he consistently ran out of partners. When Sam Curran fell to Nabi's catch at slip with the score still below 150, Afghanistan had unequivocally asserted their control over the game.
A partnership between Chris Woakes and Brook hinted at a potential revival, but Mujeeb Ur Rahman disrupted their plans with an economical over, culminating in Woakes losing his stumps.
Mujeeb returned to dismiss Brook, and the remaining batting order struggled to contend with the spinners from Afghanistan.
Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided Afghanistan with a flying start, while Ikram Alikhil delivered a crucial late surge, enabling Afghanistan to post a competitive total of 284 all-out against the defending champions, England.
Gurbaz, opening the innings for Afghanistan, set the tone with an explosive 80 off just 57 balls, while Alikhil, batting at number 6, contributed a solid 58 off 66 deliveries. Afghanistan's innings showcased resilience as they recovered from a mid-innings collapse to put a formidable score on the board.
After a sluggish start in their first two matches, Afghanistan's openers, Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran (28), finally found their rhythm, reaching the team's 50 runs in just 6.3 overs after being sent in to bat.
The Afghan openers displayed a purposeful approach, employing classic cricketing shots to accumulate runs. They minimized risks, and Gurbaz took the lead in attacking the English bowlers.
Gurbaz exhibited a wide array of shots, with his cover drives and flicks standing out as particular highlights. With Afghanistan scoring briskly, England's captain Jos Buttler introduced Adil Rashid (3/42) in the 11th over, but Gurbaz remained relentless. He even swept the leg-spinner for a boundary, completing his fifty in a mere 33 balls.
Gurbaz's formidable form was evident as he dispatched Rashid over deep midwicket, propelling Afghanistan to 100 runs in just 76 deliveries.
England finally broke through in the 17th over when a pressured Zadran (28 off 48) offered a straightforward catch to Joe Root at short mid-wicket, ending their 114-run opening partnership.
England regained momentum with consecutive wickets in the following over. First, Rashid dismissed Rahmat Shah, stumped by Buttler, and then, in the very next ball, Gurbaz was run out unnecessarily, marking a significant blow for Afghanistan. Gurbaz's innings included eight boundaries and four sixes.
Following Gurbaz's departure, Afghanistan's scoring rate slowed, with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai striving to rebuild the innings.
Omarzai briefly attempted to accelerate the run rate in the 25th over, smashing Chris Woakes for a six and a four. However, his innings was cut short as he sliced a Liam Livingstone delivery to Woakes at long off, contributing to Afghanistan's loss of four wickets for just 38 runs.
Shahidi's stay at the crease was also brief as he was bowled by Joe Root, adding to Afghanistan's woes. Veteran Mohammad Nabi's dismissal followed shortly after, and the Afghans found themselves at 190 for 6 after being in a commanding position.
Alikhil played a crucial innings, punctuated by three fours and two sixes. Rashid Khan added a quick 22 runs off 22 balls, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman contributed 28 off just 16 deliveries before Afghanistan was bowled out in 49.5 overs.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IND vs PAK: Hardik Pandya reveals who he 'hurled abuse at' before taking Imam's wicket in India's win over Pakistan
WATCH: Fans cheer for Naveen-Ul-Haq after Afghan pacer's patch up with Virat Kohli during ENG vs AFG World Cup match
WATCH: After taking Pakistan to cleaners, Team India arrive in Pune for next challenge of ODI World Cup 2023 vs Bangladesh
