Afghanistan Makes History; Defeats 4-Time Champion England in the 2023 World Cup

After Rahmanullah Gurbaz (80), due to the deadly bowling of its spin bowlers, Afghanistan defeated the current world champion England by 69 runs in the 13th ICC World Cup 2023 match. Batting first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Afghanistan scored 284 runs and then bowled out defending champion England for 215 runs in 40.3 overs. This is the first win for the Afghan team in three matches, while England has suffered its second defeat in the same number of matches.

Harry Brook played an inning of 60 runs for England. Apart from him, David Malan scored 32 runs and Liam Livingston and Sam Curran scored 10-10 runs. Adil Rashid was the third top scorer of England’s innings with unbeaten runs. From Afghanistan, Mujeeb ur Rehman took three wickets and Mohammad Nabi took two wickets while Fazalhaq Farooqui, Naveen Ul Haq, and Rashid took one wicket each.

Earlier, with the help of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 80 runs in 57 balls, Afghanistan scored 284 runs. The Afghanistan team was out with one ball remaining. For that, Gurbaz scored 80 runs in 57 balls which included eight fours and four sixes. Even though there was no match for the Indian team, there was a large number of spectators at the Arun Jaitley Stadium who were supporting Afghanistan. Apart from Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil scored 58 runs in 66 balls with three fours and two sixes, while at the lower order, experienced Mujibur Rahman played an aggressive inning of 28 runs in 16 balls.

The Afghanistan team, which had lost the first two matches, made a solid start after being sent in to bat first. Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who failed in the first two matches, added 114 runs in the first wicket partnership. Gurbaz, in particular, was in great form, showing his flair by hitting a six off Chris Woakes in the third over itself.

Afghanistan’s 50 runs were scored in 39 balls. Gurbaz scored 20 runs by hitting a six over midwicket after hitting Sam Curran for a four through covers and square leg in the ninth over. After this, England captain Jos Buttler handed the ball to Adil Rashid in place of Curran. Gurbaz completed his half-century in 33 balls by hitting Rashid for a four on the second ball of the 11th over.

Afghanistan’s hundred runs were scored in 77 balls. This dangerous partnership was broken by Rashid in the 17th over when Zadran (28) returned to the pavilion after being caught by Joe Root. After this, Afghanistan’s wickets kept falling at regular intervals and no big partnership could be formed.

Afghanistan suffered a double blow in the nineteenth over when Rashid tempted Rahmat Shah (3) to play forward on the fourth ball and Butler made no mistake in stumping. Unfortunately, Gurbaz ran out on the next ball and was deprived of a century. Hashmatullah Shahidi played a shot on Rashid’s ball and ran for runs but when the fielder from midwicket scattered the wickets at the other end, Gurbaz could not reach the crease even after diving.

At one time, after 114 runs without any loss, Afghanistan lost four wickets for 38 runs. Liam Livingstone caught Azmatullah Umarzai (19) at the hands of Woakes. Root bowled Shahidi (14) on the first ball of the 33rd over. Mohammad Nabi, who came after his departure, hit a four as soon as he came but could not last long and fell victim to Mark Wood after scoring nine runs.

As soon as IPL star spinner Rashid Khan arrived, his name was on the lips of the spectators, and ‘Rashid Rashid’ was heard on every ball. He did not disappoint the audience by hitting Root for a four as soon as he came. Rashid (23) was sent to the pavilion by Rashid, whose diving catch was taken by Root near the boundary line.

For England, Rashid took three wickets for 42 runs in ten overs while Mark Wood got two wickets. Curran gave 46 runs in four overs and Chris Woakes gave 41 runs in four overs and both did not get wickets.