Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and co-created havoc and England batting for a record victory over the defending champions by 69 runs as they bundled out them within 41 overs. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman took a 3-wicket haul and conceded 51 runs in his 10-over spell and bowled one maiden over.
Defending champions England will take on Afghanistan in their third match of the ICC Cricket 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, October 15. England is riding high on confidence after a convincing 137-run win against Bangladesh, while Afghanistan will be looking to bounce back from their recent eight-wicket loss to India and secure their first win in the ongoing tournament.
The Afghanistan openers got to a great start with an attacking intent as the duo of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz put on a century partnership for the opening wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz took the attack to the English bowlers by using the power play to his advantage by scoring 80 off 57 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes.
Rashid and wood restrict Afghanistan to 284
A brilliant spell from Rashid he bowled the right length and line and used the cracks to his advantage as he picked up 3 for 42 in his 10 overs. Mark Wood picked up 2 vital wickets for 50 runs in his 9 overs.
The all-rounder Joe Root rolled his arm over and picked up the vital wicket of Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi which once again led to the collapse he finished with the figures of 1 for 19 in his 4 overs. he also took three brilliant catches.
Alikhil slammed a brilliant half-century to rescue Afghanistan from the collapse before departing for a well-made 58 off 66 with 3 fours and 2 sixes Mujeeb played an excellent cameo of 28 off 16 with 3 fours and six to guide Afghanistan to 284.
The game is nicely poised after the first power play between both England and Afghanistan It’s a great start for the Afghanistan bowlers as England lost their top 3 inside the 15 overs.
Spinners rattles through the English batting order
The Afghanistan Spinners rattle through the English batting order the spin trio of Rashid Khan Mujeeb and Nabi used the condition to their full advantage.
Mujeeb bowled a beauty as he cleaned up Joe Root was a straight delivery which kept a tad bit low and Root had no answers for the delivery. He once again strikes with the big wicket of Chris Woakes he played down the wrong line and got bowled
Then he removed the star for England with the bat as he was caught behind after playing a brilliant knock of 66 off 67 with 7 and six. Mujeeb finished with the best bowling figures of 3 for 51 in his 10 overs.
Mohamed Nabi also had a dream spell in his 150th international game as he finished with 2 for 16 in his 6 overs. The spin magician Rashid Khan joined the party and picked up 3 vital wickets he finished with 3 for 37 in 9.3 overs to guide them to victory.
Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: England’s Scratchy Performance Against Afghanistan