In a shocking turn of events, England, the defending champions, suffered a significant upset in the World Cup, reminiscent of their losses in previous editions. Afghanistan pulled off a monumental 69-run win against England at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley stadium. This upset is considered England’s biggest since their elimination by Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup or the one caused by Ireland in 2011.
This historic victory for Afghanistan is only their second win in World Cups since their debut appearance in 2015 when they defeated Scotland. After a disappointing winless run in the 2019 World Cup and losses against Bangladesh and India in the 2023 edition, Afghanistan managed to end their 14-match losing streak with this remarkable win.
In the match, Afghanistan, batting first after England’s captain Jos Buttler won the toss, posted a formidable total of 284 runs. The team got off to a strong start with an impressive 114-run opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Gurbaz played a fiery innings, smashing boundaries and scoring a quick fifty. However, England’s Adil Rashid’s three wickets triggered a top-order collapse for Afghanistan.
Despite the wickets falling, Gurbaz seemed set for a century before being run out for 80, leaving him visibly frustrated. A partnership between Ikram Alikhil and Rashid Khan helped Afghanistan stabilize their innings, with Alikhil scoring 58. Afghanistan eventually posted 284 runs, their second-highest in a World Cup match.
In reply, England’s batting lineup struggled against Afghanistan’s bowlers. Fazalhaq Farooqi, a left-arm seamer, trapped Jonny Bairstow in front of the wicket in his first delivery. Other Afghan bowlers, including Mujeeb and Rashid, continued to pick up wickets, leaving England in a precarious position. Harry Brook’s fifty provided a glimmer of hope, but Afghanistan’s bowlers dismissed the remaining batsmen quickly, and England was bowled out for just 215 runs.
This historic win by Afghanistan is a significant achievement for the cricketing world, marking one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
