Afghanistan stun defending champions England in CWC23

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan have defeated the defending champions England by 69 runs in ICC Cricket World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

England won the toss and opted to bowl. Afghanistan were all out for 284 in their ICC World Cup match on Sunday.

Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored for Afghanistan with a 57-ball 80 before being run out while his opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, contributed 28 in a first-wicket partnership of 114 in 16 overs, according to the Indian Express.

Wicket-keeper Ikram Alikhil grabbed the opportunity with both hands and made 58 off 66 balls, while star leg-spinner Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman chipped in 23 and 28, respectively.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid picked up 3/42 for England.

Apart from Harry Brook (66) and Dawid Malan (32), no other English batter could manage to stand ahead of Afghan batters.

For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked three wickets each, Mohammad Nabi took two, while, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi picked one each. 

sa