Afghanistan upset defending champion England
In a stunning turn of events, Afghanistan has pulled off a major upset by defeating the defending champions, England, in the 2023 ODI World Cup. This remarkable victory, coming after 14 consecutive defeats in World Cup history, marks the fifth time England has fallen victim to upsets on the grand stage. Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan, played a pivotal role in securing this historic win.
The Upsets of the Past:
England’s journey in the ODI World Cup has been marred by upsets. In 1992, they suffered a surprising defeat to Zimbabwe by a mere 9 runs. In 2011, Ireland clinched victory by 3 wickets, and Bangladesh snatched a win by 2 wickets. The story repeated in 2015 when Bangladesh upset England once more, this time by 15 runs. Now, in 2023, Afghanistan has added to this list of surprises, defeating England by 69 runs. It’s not just the ODI World Cup; England has also faced setbacks in the T20 World Cup, with losses to the Netherlands on two occasions.
Afghanistan’s Triumph:
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, England won the toss and chose to field. Afghanistan, batting first, managed to post a competitive total of 284 runs in 49.5 overs. The hero of their innings was Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who played a brilliant knock of 80 runs from 57 balls, including 8 fours and 4 sixes. The first-wicket partnership of 114 runs between Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran laid a solid foundation for Afghanistan’s innings.
England’s Struggles:
In reply, England’s chase got off to a rocky start, losing two early wickets within the first 10 overs. Jonny Bairstow scored just 2 runs, while Joe Root managed 11. Harry Brook was the only English batsman to show resilience, notching up a half-century with 66 runs. However, the rest of the team failed to provide substantial support, and England was eventually bowled out for 215 runs. Afghanistan’s spin trio of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan was relentless, each claiming 3 crucial wickets.
Key Moments of the Match:
England’s innings were characterized by the loss of wickets at regular intervals. Dawid Malan contributed 32 runs, but Jos Buttler, Liam Livingston, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, and Reece Topley could only add a combined total of 71 runs. Rashid Khan delivered the decisive blow, taking the final wicket to secure Afghanistan’s victory.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Prowess:
Afghanistan’s bowlers demonstrated their skill and mettle throughout the match. Ikram Alikhil provided solid support behind the stumps and also contributed with a well-crafted 58 runs. Rashid Khan’s all-round performance, with 23 runs and 3 wickets, proved pivotal. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the top scorer for Afghanistan, smashing 28 runs in just 16 balls.
England’s Bowling Efforts:
On the bowling front, Adil Rashid was England’s standout performer, claiming 3 wickets. Fast bowlers Mark Wood and Reece Topley also made important contributions with 2 wickets and 1 wicket, respectively. Part-time bowlers Liam Livingston and Joe Root chipped in with a wicket each. Root, in addition to his bowling, was exceptional in the field, taking 4 catches.
Conclusion:
The upset victory by Afghanistan over defending champions England in the 2023 ODI World Cup will go down as one of the most remarkable moments in the tournament’s history. Afghanistan’s spinners, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan, outshone the English batsmen, marking the fifth time that England has fallen victim to upsets in the World Cup. This triumph showcases Afghanistan’s growing prowess in international cricket and serves as a reminder that in the world of sports, anything is possible.
While England faces the challenge of regrouping after this defeat, Afghanistan can savor a historic win that has earned them a place in the annals of cricketing history. This match serves as a testament to the beauty of sports, where the underdog can rise to the occasion and create moments that fans will cherish for years to come.
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