Cricket World Cup 2023: Holders England suffer shock loss to Afghanistan

England’s defence of the Cricket World Cup is rocking following a shock loss to Afghanistan in Delhi.

Batting first, Afghanistan were bowled out in the 50th over for 284 - and the initial impression was that they were at least 20 short of par.

But Afghanistan’s array of seam and spin options made a mockery of those thoughts, as they rolled England over for 215 for a famous 69-run success.

After a heavy defeat to New Zealand in the opening game of the tournament, England are on two points from three games and face an uphill battle to reach the semi-finals.

After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan made an excellent start as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took a liking to the England bowling in an opening stand of 114.

Zadran (28) fell to the leg-spin of Adil Rashid, but a big moment came two overs later when Gurbaz (80) was run out.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi called Gurbaz through for a single that never looked on, and he was well short of his ground when Jos Buttler collected a throw from David Willey to break the stumps.

Gurbaz’s reaction - smashing his bat into the boundary advertising - told everyone what he thought about the incident.

Afghanistan collapsed from 114 for 0 to 190 for 6, as a flurry of wickets checked their momentum.

Rashid Khan (23) and Ikram Alikhil produced a counter-punch, but the former became Rashid’s third victim - as he produced his best figures at a World Cup (3 for 42) - with the credit going to Joe Root for pouching a brilliant diving catch at long-on.

Some lusty late hitting from Alikhil (58) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (28) helped Afghanistan set England a victory target of 285.

England’s chase faltered from the off, with Jonny Bairstow (2) departing lbw to Fazalhaq Farooqi in the second over.

Root made his way to 11 before losing his middle stump to Mujeeb - albeit he was unfortunate to see the ball keep a little low.

The wily campaigner Mohammad Nabi claimed the big wicket of Dawid Malan, who looked good in getting to 32 before chipping a catch to Zadran.

Harry Brook was a controversial selection for England, but he justified his inclusion with the only innings of note.

But when he fell for 66 to the spin of Mujeeb, England’s hopes were in tatters - as Afghanistan celebrated as if victory had been secured.

Rashid and Mark Wood flayed the ball to briefly threaten an unlikely victory chase from England's tail, but the holders were dismissed for 215.

England's next match is against South Africa on October 21, and it is in the realms of must-win for Buttler's men.

After losing their opening two games, Afghanistan are on two points from three matches.

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