England vs Afghanistan LIVE: Cricket World Cup result and reaction as reigning champions suffer shock defeat
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England’s title defence of the Cricket World Cup is in real trouble after losing to Afghanistan by 69 runs in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history. Afghanistan were dismissed for 284 in Delhi, but bowled out England for 215 with 9.3 overs left. Only Harry Brook offered serious resistance with a 61-ball 66.
The Afghans celebrated only their second-ever win at the World Cup, the other coming against Scotland in 2015 in their first appearance.England have now lost two of their opening three group games, having been thrashed by New Zealand in the tournament opener.
Gurbaz gave the underdogs an explosive start after being sent in by Jos Buttler, dominating a rapid opening stand of 114 and piling on 80 in 57 balls.
But they lost three wickets in 14 balls to throw away much of their good work, Adil Rashid taking the first two before Gurbaz was mindlessly run out by his captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.
He had lit up the lively Arun Jaitley Stadium with his fearless strokeplay, but without his impetus England were able to gain a foothold. They bowled their opponents out for 284 off the penultimate ball of the innings, but there were plenty of question marks over the bowling attack - and even more over the subsequent batting performance.
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England’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy after shock Afghanistan defeat
England’s hopes of defending the World Cup suffered an almighty blow in Delhi, where underdogs Afghanistan pulled off a stunning upset to floor the 2019 champions.
Jos Buttler’s side were roundly outplayed on their way to a shock 69-run defeat and have now lost two of their first three games in India to leave their chances of emerging from the group stage hanging by a thread.
Set 285 to win after putting their opponents in, England imploded for 215 in front of a frenzied crowd who roared on Afghanistan’s triumph as if it were glorious home win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
In terms of English stumbles on the biggest stage in one-day cricket this was a result to rank alongside the 2011 loss to Ireland in Bengaluru – a game that current Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott played in.
Afghanistan are a more talented side but two thumping losses against India and Bangladesh, allied with England’s hard-won reputation in white-ball cricket, still render this a seismic result.
Full report:
England’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy after shock Afghanistan defeat
England imploded for 215 in front of a frenzied crowd in Delhi
England vs Afghanistan - LIVE
Afghanistan’s second-ever win at a Cricket World Cup lifts them up to sixth, one place behind England - the top four progress to the semis, remember.
Australia are bottom, one of three teams with two defeats from two.
England vs Afghanistan - LIVE
England slumped to a shock World Cup defeat against Afghanistan in Delhi.
The defending champions were dismissed for 215 as they failed to chase down their target of 285.
Here, we recall five other World Cup humiliations for England.
Bangladesh, Adelaide, March 2015
Eoin Morgan’s men were consigned to a group-stage exit from the World Cup, alongside the likes of the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan, after failing to chase down Bangladesh’s 275 for seven.
Netherlands, Chattogram, March 2014
England bowed out of the T20 World Cup with a shambolic 45-run defeat. In pursuit of 133 for five, Stuart Broad’s side - who had won the toss and opted to chase - mustered a risible 88 all out, just eight more than their worst-ever score in the format.
Ireland, Bangalore, March 2011
Kevin O’Brien hit the fastest-ever World Cup century to lead Ireland to a three-wicket win. O’Brien made 113 off 63 balls as Ireland recovered from 111 for five to chase down 328 and claim a stunning victory.
Netherlands, Lord’s, June 2009
The Netherlands beat England by four wickets from the last ball of their T20 World Cup group match match at Lord’s. The hosts, without the injured Kevin Pietersen, were still expected to prevail with ease. Instead, despite a century opening stand between Ravi Bopara and Luke Wright, their 162 for five proved insufficient.
Zimbabwe, Albury, March 1992
Zimbabwe recorded just their second World Cup win by skittling out England for 125 in Australia. The underdogs only posted 134 themselves but Graham Gooch fell to the first ball in the reply and the rest of the order quickly followed with Eddo Brandes taking four wickets.
England vs Afghanistan - LIVE
Player of the match Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who took three wickets, told Sky Sports: "It's a very proud moment to be here beating the world champions, a great achievement for the whole nation and the team.
"It was a wonderful performance from the bowlers and the batters."
England vs Afghanistan - LIVE
Jos Buttler says England will be focused to put matters right next time out:
“As a whole were not quite at the level we want to be and at World Cups with good players putting you under pressure that’s where we need to be. On and off the field we’ll be working hard to put that right.”
England vs Afghanistan - LIVE
England captain Jos Buttler:
“It was disappointing. Me missing one set the tone for us early on and it’s a tough loss to take. They outplayed us today, congratulations to Afghanistan.
“It’s about execution, throughout the game with ball and bat we were not at the level we wanted to be. That’s the main area we lost the game - you’ve got to be better and find ways to play our game.
“They have fantastic spinners and put us under lots of pressure. We weren’t quite good enough today.
“You’ve got to let these defeats hurt, there’s no point trying to move on very quickly. Then we reflect, work on the areas we need to get better and show some real resilience.”
England vs Afghanistan
40.3
OUT! Bowled. Rashid Khan to Mark Wood. Leg spinner length ball, middle stump on the front foot slog sweeping, missed.
England vs Afghanistan
40.2
Rashid Khan to Reece Topley. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, mis-timed to long on for 1 run, fielded by Zadran.
England vs Afghanistan
40.1
Rashid Khan to Mark Wood. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Omarzai.
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