Afghanistan Beat England By 69 Runs -

Location – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, India

Date – 15th October 2023

Score Summary:
- Afghanistan 284 all out in 49.5 overs: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (80), Ikram Alikhil (58); Adil Rashid (3-42).
- England 215 all out in 40.3 overs: Harry Brook (66); Rashid Khan (3-37), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3-51).

Man Of the Match – Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG) (Scored 28 in 16 balls. Took 3 Wickets for 51 Runs in 10 Overs)

In a thrilling encounter, Afghanistan secured only their second-ever victory in a major cricket competition by defeating defending champions England. It was a day when England looked far from their title-contending form. Here’s a recap of the key moments and standout performances in this exciting match where Afghanistan Beat England By 69 Runs.

Afghanistan’s First Innings:

Afghanistan got off to an electric start, with 21-year-old Rahmanullah Gurbaz playing a stellar knock, smashing four sixes on his way to an impressive 80.
The foundation was laid early, but they couldn’t maintain the momentum. After being 114-0, they found themselves at 152-4.
A half-century from Ikram Alikhil (58) and contributions from Rashid Khan (23) and 22-year-old Mujeeb Ur Rahman (28) helped Afghanistan post a total of 284, slightly below their pre-match target of 300.
Adil Rashid had a standout performance, recording his personal best World Cup bowling figures with 3-42.

England’s Second Innings:

England’s chase never got going as they lost key wickets early. Jonny Bairstow (2) and Joe Root (9) fell within the first few overs, leaving England struggling at 33-2.
Dawid Malan showed some resistance with a score of 32, but his innings was cut short by a mis-timed shot off Mohammad Nabi’s bowling.
England needed their captain, Jos Buttler, to step up, but he was dismissed for just 3 runs.
Harry Brook (66) emerged as one of the few bright spots for England, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings.
However, England’s middle order collapsed, with Liam Livingstone (10), Sam Curran (10), and Chris Woakes (9) falling cheaply.
Afghanistan’s superstar, Rashid Khan, played a crucial role in dismissing the last two England batsmen, sealing the historic victory for his country.

Key Turning Points:

Gurbaz’s explosive start set the tone for Afghanistan’s innings. However, his run-out due to a mix-up with Hashmatullah Shahidi was a turning point that disrupted their momentum.
England’s early wickets, including that of Joe Root, were crucial moments that put them under pressure.
Jos Buttler’s dismissal sounded alarm bells for England, and it was a significant moment in their innings.
Harry Brook’s innings brought some hope for England, but his eventual dismissal marked another turning point as England’s chances dwindled.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s impact with both bat and ball was pivotal in Afghanistan’s victory. His aggressive batting helped them post a competitive total, and his bowling caused trouble for England.

In the end, the young stars of Afghanistan Beat England by 69 runs, delivering a historic win, while England’s senior players faltered. The victory against the defending champions will be remembered as a remarkable achievement for Afghanistan in the world of cricket. England now faces the daunting task of recovering and making it to the final four, sitting fifth in the standings. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is brimming with confidence and pride.