CWC Match 13, Afghanistan VS England Played at Arun Jailey Stadium, New Delhi, India on 15 October 2023 
Afghanistan 284 All Out in 49.5 Overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ikram Alikhil 58, Mujeeb ur Rahman 28, Rashid Khan 23, Adil Rashid 3/42, Mark Wood 2/50, Joe Root 1/19) 
England 215 All Out in 40.3 Overs (Harry Brook 66, David Malan 32, Adil Rashid 20, Mujeeb ur Rahman 3/51, Rashid Khan 3/37, Mohammad Nabi 2/16) 
Afghanistan Won by 69 Runs.
Player of the match: Mujeeb ur Rahman (28 & 3/51) 

Trapping English Lions in spin trap Afghanistan caused the first major upset in CWC 2023 winning big by 69 Runs. 

Reigning Champions mission 2023 World Cup runs into uncertainty from its 2nd defeat in three matches. They now have an uphill task of turning around. England also lost their first match against New Zealand. Having asked to bat on a wicket having some turn Afghanistan posted a challenging score of 284 all out. Afghan spin trio Rashid Khan (3/37), Mujeeb ur Rahman (3/51) Mohammad Nabi (2/16) unleashing spin web crashed England having them all out for 215. Afghans winning by 69 runs wrote fairy tales. War ravaged brave Afghans winning against formidable England rocked the cricket world. 

Afghanistan made rollicking start of their innings as their openers especially flamboyant Rahmanullah Gurbaz playing several eye-catching delightful strokes rocked England. 114 runs were scored in the first wicket partnership at an impressive rate before Ibrahim Jadran was removed by Adil Rashid having him caught by Joe Root for 28. Afghan innings got a blow as Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz left in quick succession. Rahmat was undone by Adil Rashid. Gurbaz fell to a foolish run out after scoring match defining 80 in 57 balls studded with 8 fours and 4 sixes. 

English bowlers especially Chris Woakes and Sam Curran were taken to the cleaners. England appeared to have recovered as Afghans had a middle order collapse getting reduced to 5/174. But Afghan late middle order inspired by Ikram Alikhil (58) and useful contribution from Mujeeb ur Rahman (28) and Rashid Khan (23) took the score to 284. Joe Root fielded brilliantly. At least two of the four catches were exceptional. On a wicket having grip and turn Afghan set target of 285 appeared tricky. Ikram Alikhil brought into the team replacing Nazibullah Zadran holding the innings together at late middle order played a significant role in Afghanistan rattling up the challenging score. He scored 58 with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Adil Rashid taking 3/42 was the successful English bowler. All their pace bowlers Chris Woakes, Reece Topley, Mark Wood and Sam Curran suffered from brave Afghan counter attack.  

Buoyed by the success of their batsmen Afghan bowlers and fielders were looking sharp. Jony Bairstow was trapped early by Fazal Farooqi and Joe Root was cleaned up by Mujeeb. That three quality Afghan spinners will play hell on a turning track was anticipated in defending a reasonably challenging score. English Lions had no answer. Only David Malan (32) at the top and Harry Brooks (66) in the middle order gave some resistance. Rashid Khan (3/37), Mujeeb ur Rahman (3/51) and Mohammad Nabi 2/16) trapped England in spin trap. England could score 215 and lost huge by 69 Runs. Having lost two matches in three English mission CWC ran into crisis. They still have some major matches against South Africa, India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Many will question why Jos Buttler choose to field after winning the toss as setting a reasonably big target for Afghanistan could be better strategy. Perhaps a bit of a complacency led to the downfall of English lion. 

Afghanistan deserves lots of accolades for their brave performance. This historic win will do world of good for Afghanistan Cricket. Mujeeb ur Rahman for his all-round performance was adjudged player of the match. It could be awarded to Rahmanullah Gurbaz for explosive batting which set the tone of the Afghanistan innings. Afghanistan may not qualify for the business session but creating a major upset they have turned the race for the top four upside down. England must turn around to challenge the top teams in defending their title or leave empty handed from India.

BDST: 0943 HRS, OCT 16, 2023
SMS