Afghanistan had an amazing comeback against one of the tournament favorites and produced an outstanding display of both batting and bowling by their players.
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root were quickly dismissed before spinners took control. Harry Brook tried to save the innings by scoring 66 runs but soon fell victim to spin.
In this article, we will discuss the main points of Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Afghanistan vs England
England’s cricket team is under increasing pressure to boycott a Champions Trophy match with Afghanistan next month over the Taliban regime’s assaults against women. The game is scheduled for February 26 in Lahore; more than 160 UK lawmakers have written to the ECB asking that their men’s team boycott it in protest at Taliban oppressive policies towards women.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided Afghanistan a solid start at Arun Jaitley Stadium during Match 13 of this tournament, amassing an opening stand of 114 runs in just 16 overs to give their side an early chance at scoring over 300 runs before an innings collapse cut short their hopes for success.
Afghani’s bottom order held strong to help Afghanistan secure a semi-final spot despite losing five wickets for 76 runs in four overs, Litton Das scoring unbeaten 54 while Najmul Hossain Shanto and captain Shakib Al Hasan both being dismissed off successive deliveries from Naveen during the final over of their innings to produce joyous celebrations within their home camp.
England was requested to bat first in their semifinal, yet struggled with both ball and bat to reach just a mere 136 in 20 overs. Jos Buttler scored 49 off 53 balls while Dawid Malan and Joe Root contributed towards England’s score; but it was England’s bowlers who caused their defeat as they struggled against Afghanistan’s batsmen.
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan proved too strong for England’s batting line-up, both taking three wickets each to overwhelm their batting order and leave England’s batsmen struggling to hold onto the ball.
Jos Buttler of England stated his displeasure at his side’s performance during their match against Afghanistan. He indicated they lost to a better team and did not live up to their potential, while Afghan batsmen played some good cricket while England batsmen struggled against spinners from Afghanistan’s squad. Nonetheless, Buttler noted they will learn from their errors and grow into stronger team in future encounters.
Afghanistan won by 69 runs
After an inconsistent start, England appeared to have found their feet and put up a good fight, only to be taken by surprise by Afghanistan’s astounding performance. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s impressive 57-ball 80 helped Afghanistan start unsettling England before their spinners kept them under control with consistent deliveries from spin.
Jos Buttler won the toss and decided to bat on what appeared a run-friendly surface, only for his decision to be quickly disproved by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s tight lines to hamper England batters unable to exploit damp conditions under lights.
Buttler was trapped lbw by Farooqi within one ball of Farooqi’s over, while Joe Root soon succumbed to Mujeeb who bowled an outswinger too quick for Root to pick up. Soon afterwards Mujeeb trapped Dawid Malan lbw before dismissing Harry Brook with another inswinger from him in his next over.
Sam Curran attempted to stop the fall of wickets with three fours during his brief stay at the crease; however, Mohammad Nabi’s superb legbreak caught him right in front of the stumps and ended his innings prematurely with 224-6 as his second wicket took Liam Livingstone when attempting to hook a straight one away from him.
Gurbaz hit an enormous six over midwicket in the final over of the match to usher Mark Wood to the crease and rejuvenate Pakistani innings; but Topley quickly put paid to any hopes for a comeback from England by hitting three fours off one bowler within three balls.
Afghanistan have secured their second win at this World Cup with Rashid Khan’s (3-51) two wickets as England were dismissed for 215 in 40.3 overs, demonstrating their superior quality and leaving England with no point from three matches played so far in India. But, this game also demonstrated their depth of talent that could emerge once they can come together and find some form; they will certainly be formidable contenders when next tournament commences in 2023.
Afghanistan batting
Afghanistan’s national cricket team stands as an icon of hope and resilience for its people. After years of violence-torn conflict in their country, they have achieved great success on an international level, providing joyous fans and uniting a nation separated by decades. Their achievements have especially brought hope and empowerment for Afghan women who had long been denied equal access to sporting activity.
Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 2001 when former president Hamid Karzai signed an agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Since then, their international competitions have seen considerable gains; now becoming top-10 T20I and ODI teams globally. Players earn up to PS2,850 per match via financing provided by ICC with contracts signed with foreign clubs for home matches as well as preparations underway to host 2027 World Cup tournament.
Afghanistan’s batting lineup is led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil, who both made hundreds of runs throughout the tournament and will hope to keep up their good performance against England. Gurbaz started out his career as a cattle farmer but soon after seeing a cricket game on television became fascinated with its players’ skill. Working tirelessly he earned enough money for himself a cricket bat before joining Afghanistan’s national team.
Though the Taliban overthrew Afghanistan’s government in August 2021, the International Cricket Council still allows its national cricket team to compete. Wearing colors from its former administration, matches are held in United Arab Emirates where its members meet and pose with Taliban leaders such as Sirajuddin Haqqani – head of Haqqani Network and acting minister of interior in current Taliban regime.
Afghanistan’s victory against Australia marked an historic moment. It gave hope and inspiration to millions in their country who have endured decades of conflict while looking for work or education opportunities. Cricket proved its ability to unite people despite obstacles.
Afghanistan bowling
Afghanistan national cricket team has long been seen as a symbol of hope and resilience amid turbulent conditions in Afghanistan. Many players learned their craft at refugee camps in Pakistan where many first were introduced to cricket. Even under Taliban control, Afghanistan have made strides on the international scene and qualified for three World Cup tournaments since 2009.
Afghanistan held firm against England, maintaining pressure and restricting them to only 28 runs in their last 10 overs despite failing to pick up wickets quickly enough. Ikram Alikhil and Mujeeb Ur Rahman provided an outstanding opening partnership and laid down the foundation for Afghanistan’s innings.
With these two batsmen at their side, Afghanistan managed to score 284 runs in 50 overs. Alikhil made two sixes and fours while being supported by Mujeeb who rotated the strike effectively – eventually Mujeeb fell for 56 off 46 balls while England could only manage 284 total runs before they all out for an underwhelming total.
Afghanistan bowling looked very impressive while both Pakistan spinners claimed three wickets each – their performance against England had always been challenging; but this time around they managed to do it effortlessly, taking early wickets knowing that England’s top-heavy batting line-up can fall quickly into disarray.
As the match progressed, Afghanistan bowlers kept up the pressure on England batting. In the final over, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood both fell. Woakes survived an appeal for LBW before Mohammad Nabi got him out off wrong-un. It proved an essential breakthrough for Afghanistan that significantly curtailed England innings momentum.
Through their victory against England, Afghanistan have improved their record in ODIs against them; previously they had lost all ODI matches between the teams. Now as they prepare for future T20I tournaments they hope to bolster this success further by winning T20I matches as well.