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

26.1

Rashid Khan to Harry Brook. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Shahidi.

15 October 2023 15:51

England vs Afghanistan

25.6

Mohammad Nabi to Sam Curran. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Zadran.

15 October 2023 15:50

England vs Afghanistan

25.5

Mohammad Nabi to Sam Curran. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs.

15 October 2023 15:50

[15 October 2023 15:49 · Karl Matchett]

England vs Afghanistan - LIVE

Halfway through the innings, 25 overs done.

153 runs required for the victory - that’s 6.12 runs per over required for England with five wickets remaining.

Two balls into the new over, Harry Brook claims his half century. Can he propel the team forward?

England vs Afghanistan

25.4

Mohammad Nabi to Sam Curran. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.

15 October 2023 15:49

England vs Afghanistan

25.2

Mohammad Nabi to Harry Brook. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to long on for 1 run, fielded by Omarzai.

15 October 2023 15:49

England vs Afghanistan

25.1

Mohammad Nabi to Sam Curran. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Murid.

15 October 2023 15:48

England vs Afghanistan

24.6

Rashid Khan to Sam Curran. Leg spinner length ball, down leg side on the back foot working, inside edge to short fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Omarzai.

15 October 2023 15:47

England vs Afghanistan

24.4

Rashid Khan to Harry Brook. Leg spinner length ball, middle stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run, mis-fielded by Zadran.

15 October 2023 15:47

England vs Afghanistan

24.3

APPEAL! Rashid Khan to Harry Brook. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, hit pad to gully for no runs, fielded by Omarzai, appeal made for L.B.W.

15 October 2023 15:46