Unforgettable Upset: Afghanistan Shocks England in Astonishing Sporting Triumph
Underdogs Afghanistan pull off a sensational upset, shocking cricket fans worldwide with a commanding 69-run victory over England at the ICC Cricket World Cup in Delhi, India
Afghanistan caused a monumental upset at the ICC Cricket World Cup in Delhi, India on Sunday, defeating England by 69 runs. This victory is significant as Afghanistan had previously won only one World Cup match in their entire history, while England is the reigning world champion, with a team that is revered for their recent successes.
England got off to a shaky start as their poor bowling allowed Afghanistan to establish a solid foundation, scoring over 100 runs without losing a wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a crucial role, scoring 80 runs off 57 balls, while Ikram Ali Khil added 58 runs from 66 balls, further frustrating England's bowlers. As a result, Afghanistan managed to end their innings on a respectable total of 284 runs.
It was a total that seemed within reach for England but, aside from Harry Brooks 66, its batting lineup offered little resistance to Afghanistans spin bowlers.
Afghanistan's Ikram Alikhil watches the ball after playing a shot.
Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images
Offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who claimed figures of 3-51 and contributed 28 runs with the bat, was bestowed with the player of the match trophy. He humbly dedicated the accolade to "the individuals impacted by the Afghanistan earthquake," as reported by We.
The seismic event occurred on October 7, wreaking havoc on the western province of Herat and its city, resulting in a significant loss of life. Taliban government officials estimate that the earthquake, which measured 6.3 on the magnitude scale, claimed the lives of over 2,000 individuals.
Afghanistan's historic victory over England after the earthquake brought an additional element to their triumph. Captain Rashid Khan expressed his hope that this win would bring a sense of happiness to the Afghan people. ESPN Cricinfo reported his statement. Having already suffered a loss to New Zealand, England now faces the risk of being eliminated from the World Cup during the group stages. This unexpected defeat adds further significance to their upcoming match against South Africa on Saturday. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will face New Zealand on Wednesday.
