England vs Afghanistan LIVE: Cricket World Cup result and reaction as reigning champions suffer shock defeat

Follow all the action from Arun Jaitley Stadium

England’s Joe Root previews their ICC Cricket World Cup clash with Afghanistan

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.

Follow all the latest live reaction from today’s match in the live blog below and check the latest odds here:

England vs Afghanistan LIVE: ODI World Cup updates

• Match starts Sunday, 15 October at 9:30am BST
• England unchanged, one alteration for Afghanistan. England opt to field first
• Gurbaz run out for 80 as three wickets fall in rapid succession after great start
• Joe Root makes four catches as Afghanistan batting order falls
• Afghanistan all out: England need 285 runs to win
• England top order falls in quick succession; more than six runs per over required after 25 overs
• RESULT: England suffer shock defeat to Afghanistan

England vs Afghanistan

48.1

OUT! Caught. Mark Wood to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Slower ball back of a length, outside off stump backing away Slog, top edge in the air uncontrolled to backward point, caught by Root.

15 October 2023 13:07

England vs Afghanistan

47.6

OUT! Caught. Reece Topley to Ikram Ali Khil. Slower length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Curran.

15 October 2023 13:05

England vs Afghanistan

47.5

No ball Reece Topley to Ikram Ali Khil. Beamer, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket and it was a no ball, fielded by Livingstone.

15 October 2023 13:04

England vs Afghanistan

47.5

FREE HIT. Reece Topley to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Half volley, middle stump backing away working, to deep mid wicket for 3 runs, run save by Woakes, fielded by Root.

15 October 2023 13:04

England vs Afghanistan

47.4

Reece Topley to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Length ball, down leg side backing away glancing, to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Rashid.

15 October 2023 13:03

England vs Afghanistan

47.3

Reece Topley to Ikram Ali Khil. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Brook.

15 October 2023 13:02

England vs Afghanistan

47.2

SIX! Reece Topley to Ikram Ali Khil. Slower length ball, outside off stump on the front foot slog sweeping, well timed in the air under control over deep square leg for 6 runs.

15 October 2023 13:01

England vs Afghanistan

47.1

Reece Topley to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Half volley, middle stump backing away working, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Root.

15 October 2023 13:00

England vs Afghanistan

46.6

Mark Wood to Ikram Ali Khil. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, back to bowler for no runs.

15 October 2023 12:59

England vs Afghanistan

46.5

Mark Wood to Ikram Ali Khil. Short, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, top edge in the air uncontrolled to third man for 2 runs, run save by Topley, fielded by Woakes.

15 October 2023 12:58