ENG vs AFG: The ICC World Cup 2023 witnessed a riveting clash between England and Afghanistan (AFG vs ENG), which turned out to be a historic moment for Afghan cricket. Afghanistan created a sensation by defeating the world champion team, England, in a thrilling encounter, winning by a commanding margin of 69 runs.
A Match to Remember
In this high-stakes match, England won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Afghan team, undeterred by their decision, put up a formidable batting display, amassing a total of 284 runs in 49.5 overs. In response, England’s batting lineup struggled, managing only 215 runs in 40.2 overs.
Afghanistan’s Spectacular Upset
ENG vs AFG: The Afghanistan vs. England clash marked one of the most significant upsets in the ICC World Cup 2023. The Afghan team, known for their resilience, overcame the mighty English side. Their batting effort set a challenging target, and the Afghan spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman played pivotal roles in turning the tide with their exceptional bowling. This triumph propelled Afghanistan to the sixth position in the World Cup 2023 points table.
Captain Shahidi’s Pride and Praise
After this historic victory, Afghanistan’s captain, Hashlamtullah Shahidi, couldn’t hide his elation. He spoke passionately about his team’s performance, saying, “I am very happy; all the teammates are happy. This is the best win for us, there will be confidence for the next game, and I am very proud.” Shahidi gave special credit to the opening batsmen, particularly Rahmanullah Gurbaz, for providing a strong start.
ENG vs AFG: Shahidi also highlighted the contribution of Ikram Ali Khil, who had not received many chances in the past but was entrusted with a pivotal role in this match. Shahidi’s faith in Khil paid off handsomely. He further praised Mujeeb Ur Rahman for his brilliant batting performance, emphasizing the need for their batting lineup to contribute more runs to support their spinners.
Confidence in Spinners
Hashlamtullah Shahidi expressed unwavering confidence in Afghanistan’s spinners, acknowledging the vital role played by Fazal, who provided the team with crucial momentum with his early wicket. Shahidi observed that the pitch wasn’t favorable for batsmen against spinners, and he believed that the target of 280-290 runs would be sufficient.
ENG vs AFG: He concluded by stating, “This is just the first win; we are hoping for more wins in the tournament. This was just the first, not the last.” His words reflected the determination and self-belief that Afghanistan carries into the remainder of the ICC World Cup 2023, signifying that they are ready to take on more challenges and create more historic moments in the tournament.
Image Credit – jagran