Afghanistan Beat Defending Champions England In World Cup Thriller

Afghanistan pulled off a monumental upset on Sunday by defeating the reigning champions, England, in a gripping World Cup match in New Delhi. The Afghans triumphed by a remarkable 69-run margin, marking one of the most astonishing World Cup shocks in recent history. England's pursuit of a target of 285 runs, powered by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz's explosive 80-run innings, fell short as they were eventually bowled out for 215. Despite a valiant 66 by Harry Brook, Afghanistan's spin duo, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan, claimed three wickets each to dismantle the English batting lineup. This remarkable victory marked only the second World Cup win for Afghanistan, with their previous triumph dating back to the 2015 tournament when they defeated Scotland. The Afghan team entered the match on a challenging streak, having lost their opening two games in India and enduring a 14-match losing streak in World Cup history. Gurbaz, along with the recalled Ikram Alikhil, who contributed 58 runs, provided Afghanistan with a competitive target. Subsequently, Afghanistan's bowlers showcased their mettle, taking wickets at regular intervals and leaving the English side struggling. England's early losses included Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, both falling victim to the Afghan bowlers. Mohammad Nabi's crucial dismissal of Dawid Malan further deepened England's predicament as they slipped to 138-6. England's skipper, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone were also dismissed by Afghan bowlers, adding to the mounting pressure. England's struggle was evident when they went more than eight overs without hitting a boundary until Brook managed to send a ball over the ropes in the 31st over. Mujeeb's exceptional performance included removing Chris Woakes and eventually sealing the victory with Brook's dismissal. Harry Brook's spirited 66 came off 61 balls, comprising seven fours and a six. Although England managed to cross the 200-run mark thanks to some late fireworks from Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood, Afghanistan's earlier efforts with both bat and ball had already paved the way for their historic victory. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's fiery 80, scored off 57 balls, was a standout performance, featuring eight fours and four sixes, but his disappointment was evident when a disastrous run-out mix-up with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi ended his quest for a century. Afghanistan's win will go down in cricketing history as one of the most remarkable underdog victories in recent memory.