New Delhi: Afghanistan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in ODI World Cup history as they humbled defending champions and one of the tournament favourites England by 69 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Sunday evening.
Afghanistan, asked to bat first, posted 284 thanks to opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s blazing 80 off 57 balls. Afghan spinners then played havoc to bowl out England for 215. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan bagged 3 wickets each, and Mohammad Nabi took 2.
The Afghans have been improving rapidly, but good results haven’t been coming consistently. This will surely rank as not only their best win in World Cup (second in 17 games) but also one of their most memorable moments in World Cup.
For England, the unexpected hammering pushed them to a corner as they have now lost two of their two matches in the 2023 edition.
BRIEF SCORES
Afghanistan 284 all out in 49.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ikram Alikhil 58; Adil Rashid 3/42, Mark Wood 2/50). England 215 all out in 40.3 overs (Harry Brook 66; Rashid Khan 3/37, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/51, Mohammad Nabi 2/16).
Result: Afghanistan won by 68 runs.
Man of the Match: Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Points position: England 5th (2 pts in 3 matches), Afghanistan 6th (2 pts in 3 games).
BIGGEST ODI WORLD CUP UPSETS
* Afghanistan bt England by 69 runs in 2023 World Cup
* Bangladesh bt India by 5 wkts in 2007 World Cup
* Kenya bt Sri Lanka by 53 runs in 2003 World Cup
* Bangladesh bt South Africa by 67 runs in 2007 World Cup
* Bangladesh bt Pakistan by 62 runs in 1999 World Cup
* Kenya bt West Indies by 68 runs in 1996 World Cup.
