Afghanistan stun England in biggest upset of Cricket World Cup 2023

Afghanistan pulled off the biggest upset of the 2023 World Cup as they defeated defending champions England in Delhi on Sunday.

On a good batting surface, the Afghans posed a challenging target of 285. It seemed gettable but the surface in India’s capital was offering some assistance to slow bowlers. That was all that the Afghans needed as their spinners ripped through England’s batting to complete a 69-run win.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3-51), Mohammad Nabi (2-16) and Rashid Khan (3-37) put on a masterful display to choke the runs as they got turn and bite off the surface.

Only Harry Brook looked comfortable as he waged a lone battle, making 66, but could not stop England from slipping to one of the most shocking defeats in their ODI history.

Brook was the last recognised batsman out with 116 more runs needed for victory a little over 15 overs and three wickets remaining, as he edged Mujeeb behind while attempting a single off a carom ball.

England were in trouble early on as left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi got late swing, trapping Jonny Bairstow lbw. He could have had a few more as Dawid Malan and Joe Root played and missed a number of times.

But it was clear there was enough in the pitch to keep the Afghanistan interested. Mujeeb got into the act as he deceived Root to rattle the stumps while the experienced Nabi beat Malan with flight and dip to spoon a simple catch to short cover.

England had slipped to 68-3 and from there, the slide quickened and never stopped.

Afghanistan's streak of 14 consecutive losses across World Cups comes to an end with an emphatic win against the world champions England! #CWC23

England's lower order put up a fight to take the total past 200 but Afghanistan were well ahead in the game. Rashid