Afghanistan have always shown promise to win against any team on their day. While their inexperience could only trouble big sides, they waited to cause big upset. Now, in CWC 2023, Afghanistan got a pitch that helps and they created history. In 2019 CWC, they came close to beating Pakistan and Gulbadin Naib thrown away the opportunity. Now, Afghanistan has brought England to their knees and won their second match in any World Cup.
They started playing in last decade and surprised many with 2015 CWC qualification. Afghanistan won against Netherlands in 2015 and now, they won their second one against England in 2023. England won the toss and elected to bowl first as their bowling did not perform great. But Afghanistan batters have decided to throw caution to the wind and go after England pacers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz took on every bowler and in 10 overs, his team scored 79/0.
With such good start, Afghanistan tried to maximize the returns in batting. Rahmanullah Gurbaz(80) missed out a well-deserved century. When they were under spot of bother, Ikram Alikhil(58) finished the innings on a high. Mujeeb Ur Rahman(28) and Rashid Khan(23) helped him in the final overs. Afghanistan managed to score a respectable 284 in 49.5 overs on a pitch that seemed to slow down. Adil Rashid(3/42), Mark Wood(2/50), Liam Livingstone(1/33), Joe Root(1/19) and Reece Topley(1/52) took wickets for England.
In the chase, England lost wickets continuously except for Dawid Malan(32) and Harry Brook(66). Afghanistan spinners like Mujeeb Ur Rahman(3/51), Rashid Khan(3/37), Mohammad Nabi(2/16) did not let English batters to find any momentum. Afghanistan being able to control most feared English batters and winning the game by 69 runs, will be remembered forever. England stumbled out for 215 runs in 40.3 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman has won the Player of the Match award. Afghanistan fans have been seen getting emotional with this win.
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