In a stunning twist of fate, Afghanistan etched another chapter in the records of unforgettable sports upsets. This time, it was at the ICC Cricket World Cup in Delhi, India, where they convincingly overcame England by a formidable margin of 69 runs.
This was a monumental upset on a global stage. Afghanistan’s cricket in history boasted a mere single World Cup victory, while England stood as the reigning world champion, still basking in the afterglow of a legendary era that had elevated their team to almost mythical proportions.
The saga began with England stumbling right out of the gate. Their wayward bowling allowed Afghanistan to construct an impressive foundation, with the opening partnership accumulating more than a hundred runs without losing a wicket.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz emerged as the linchpin of Afghanistan’s innings, scoring a remarkable 80 off just 57 deliveries. His impeccable performance laid a solid foundation, with Ikram Ali Khil chipping in 58 runs off 66 balls, further frustrating England’s bowlers. As a result, Afghanistan concluded their innings with a respectable 284 runs on the board.
England’s Fading Hopes
On paper, the target appeared attainable for England, but their batting lineup offered minimal resistance to Afghanistan’s spin bowlers. The only standout performance came from Harry Brook, who managed to score 66 runs, but it was far from sufficient.
In a shocking turn of events, Afghanistan emerged triumphant by a margin of 69 runs, rewriting the narrative of the game. The image of Ikram Alikhil, intently watching the ball after playing a crucial shot, serves as an enduring symbol of this historic victory.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Heroics for Afghanistan
The player of the match, off spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s triumph. He not only contributed with the ball, claiming three wickets for 51 runs, but also showcased his mettle with the bat, adding 28 runs. He was rightfully awarded the player of the Match trophy, which he humbly dedicated to the people affected by the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan.
