England suffer shock defeat to Afghanistan in World Cup

15.10.2023 - 16:49 rte.ie

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.The heavy margin, and the 9.3 unused overs, only increase the magnitude of the shock.Harry Brook, the youngest and least experienced member of the England side, fought a lone hand with 66 but with precious little support and a lethargic bowling display it was nowhere near enough.

cricket bowling Sport stage shock cup Jos Buttler Harry Brook Jonathan Trott Britain Ireland India Afghanistan

Defending champions England are not having the best of time in India and up next, they face arch-rivals Australia in Match 36 of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Before the tournament began, England were touted as one of the favourites alongside India to win the tournament. However, almost everything has gone wrong for them. After a defeat to New Zealand in the opening match by a thumping margin, England registered a big win against Bangladesh to get back on track.

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