By Razeen Gutta
It was an historic ICC Cricket World Cup victory for Afghanistan as Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan left world champions England spinning.
Batting first, Rahmanullah Gurbaz got Afghanistan off to a good start on a Delhi deck that looked to favour the batters so far this tournament.
Gurbaz was unlucky to have been run out for 80, missing out on a century. But Ikram Alikhil was good for his 58 in the middle order to ensure what looked like a fighting total of 284.
The target turned out to be more than just a fighting one, with Jonny Bairstow falling in the very first over before Joe Root fell to Mujeeb before the end of the first powerplay.
Harry Brook got to 66 off 61, but the wickets came at regular intervals with Mujeeb taking 3/51 while Rashid picked up 3/37 to see England all out for just 215.
It was the first time in history that England lost so many wickets to spin (eight) in a world cup game, as Afghanistan dominated the champions in all departments.
The upset comes as the first major one of the tournament. And who knows, maybe it will not be the last?
Australia take on Sri Lanka on Monday before the Proteas face Netherlands on Tuesday as the new week kicks off with more mouthwatering clashes.
Pictured above: Afghanistan.
Image source: @cricketworldcup
