World Cup 2023: In the 13th match of the current World Cup 2023 in New Delhi on Sunday, England suffered a shocking 69-run loss to Afghanistan. England was bowled out for 215 in 40.3 overs, chasing a total of 285. 

England’s Playing XI:

Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.

Afghanistan’s Playing XI:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Match Summary:

In the 13th match of the current World Cup 2023 in New Delhi on Sunday, England suffered a shocking 69-run loss to Afghanistan. Chasing a target of 285, England was bowled out for 215 in 40.3 overs, due to Afghan spin wizardry, including three-wicket hauls from Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Mohammad Nabi took two wickets in the interim.

England won the toss and invited Afghanistan to bat first. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started things going by giving Afghanistan a superb start, accumulating 114 runs in 16.1 overs for the first wicket.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz performed the most of the scoring, while Ibrahim Zadran did a great job by building up the partnership from the other end. Until, Ibrahim Zadran dismissed for 28(48), while Rahmanullah Gurbaz was run-out for 80(57).

Afghanistan briefly collapsed after Adil Rashid shattered the alliance. In just 18.5 overs, Afghanistan was down to 122/3 after losing three wickets in short succession. The wickets kept falling until Rashid Khan and Ikram Alikhil took control of the innings.

Rashid was down for 23(22). Before being caught by Reece Topley, Ikram Alikhil scored 58 (66), while Mujeeb Ur Rahman smashed 28 off only 16 balls, setting up a total of 286.

In the run chase, Jonny Bairstow got leg before wicket by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mujeeb’s front-of-the-hand slider squared up Joe Root, who was bowled for 11 (17). Dawid Malan’s 32 from 39 balls propelled England through the powerplay without suffering any more losses.

Until, Mohammad Nabi strikes in the 13th over dismissed Malan who fell short for a boundary. However, amid such odious conditions, even Jos Buttler was helpless to put into effect what he had preached.

England’s lone wolf, Harry Brook, somehow completed his half-century despite the wickets being fell from the other side. Brook scored 66 runs off 61 balls and was dismissed in the 35th over with his team in trouble at 169/8.

Reece Topley’s three consecutive fours off Farooqi proved to be among the cleanest shots in a lackluster performance as England only emerged from their dejected state once the outcome was certain.

Afghanistan's big win over England earns them two valuable points, shaking up the #CWC23 standings 👊 pic.twitter.com/XGoQaNSwtD

— ICC (@ICC) October 16, 2023