Afghanistan Stuns Defending Champions England in Thrilling ODI World Cup Upset

New Delhi: In a sensational turn of events at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Afghanistan defied the odds and recorded a historic 69-run victory over defending champions England in a highly anticipated ODI World Cup match.

Afghanistan’s Strong Batting Performance

Afghanistan, put in to bat after England won the toss, delivered an impressive batting display, accumulating a formidable total of 284 runs. The key contributors were opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, whose explosive 80-run knock set the tone, and Ikram Alikhil, who played a vital role with a half-century.

England’s Early Struggles

England’s response to the challenging target got off to a rocky start. Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Jonny Bairstow early, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s quick and low delivery uprooted Joe Root’s stumps. Amidst these setbacks, Harry Brook emerged as the only English batter who adapted to the challenging conditions, valiantly scoring 66 runs.

?? History in the Making ??

Afghanistan Shocks the World, Defeats Defending Champions England by 70 Runs at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. ????

?: ICC #AFGvsENG #WorldCup2023 #Afganistan #England #cricketnews pic.twitter.com/kDFnzUlpbL

— The Quotes (@TheQuotes93) October 15, 2023

Rashid Khan’s Heroics and England’s Collapse

Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid Khan turned the tide in their favor, picking up three wickets and causing England’s middle-order to collapse. Dawid Malan contributed 32 runs before falling to Mohammad Nabi, leaving England struggling at 91-4.

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Brook’s Resistance and England’s Last Stand

Harry Brook’s determined stand brought hope for England, as he reached his half-century in just 45 balls. However, his dismissal, caught behind by Mujeeb, dealt a severe blow to England’s chances.

In the end, Rashid Khan wrapped up the remaining wickets to conclude England’s innings, securing Afghanistan’s historic victory.

This win signifies a monumental moment for Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup, only their second victory in the tournament’s history. The match showcased their resilience and skill while producing one of the biggest upsets in the annals of the ODI World Cup.

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