Cricket World Cup: Afghanistan’s ‘greatest day’ leaves England in dark place | Cricket News

Jorge October 16, 2023

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England’s shock defeat to Afghanistan must be a wake-up name for the defending champions who have been, fairly merely, outplayed by their opponents.

It’s England’s second loss from the three video games they’ve performed at this Cricket World Cup after struggling a heavy defeat in their opening sport towards New Zealand, who received lastly received their revenge for the 2019 World Cup ultimate.

But this defeat felt totally different. As identified by Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton on commentary, England’s loss was inflicted by a aspect that has considerably fewer assets and funding than them.

It was an excellent pitch with good batting situations that allowed Afghanistan to rack up 284 runs after being put into bat by Jos Buttler.

Afghanistan had solely gained one different World Cup sport previous to this, towards Scotland in 2015 in Christchurch, and this time it was the reigning champions who suffered.

“This is a tough loss to take but congratulations to Afghanistan. They outplayed us today,” mentioned England’s captain Jos Buttler.

“With the bat and ball throughout the game we were not at the level we wanted to be at. We have to be better. You have to find ways to impose yourselves and show your skill. We weren’t quite good enough and it was really disappointing.”

“You should let these defeats damage. There is not any level making an attempt to maneuver on in a short time though you need to do it as fast as you’ll be able to.

“We will let it damage after which mirror on the issues that must be higher. We should present some actual resilience. We have character. We have been by plenty of good occasions and a few robust occasions as properly so we’ll come again combating.”

How do England transfer ahead after Afghanistan upset?

England males’s efficiency director Mo Bobat, Nick Knight and Zak Crawley mentioned what went mistaken for England and the way they’ll enhance forward of their sport towards South Africa on Saturday in Mumbai, reside on Sky Sports Cricket.

Three of England’s gamers – Bairstow (two), Buttler (9), Woakes (9) – didn’t make it into double figures and simply after they gave the impression to be constructing a partnership, Afghanistan’s skilful spinners would dismiss them.

It was not simply the wickets, however the type of the dismissals that thrilled the group on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi as 4 of England’s batters have been bowled out.

“Afghanistan outplayed England – it wasn’t as if they won on a desperate turning pitch that suited their spinners. It was the greatest night in Afghanistan’s history and they won fair and square,” mentioned Atherton.

“When you think of Afghanistan it’s usually bad stories – Taliban, war, earthquakes. But this is another amazing page in the story of the men’s cricket team. It has been an amazing rise to prominence.”

“England have been beaten heavily in two games now and not given themselves much margin for error, making things very difficult for them.”

England have been undone by the spin of Afghanistan and the significance of the victory was summed up when a tearful younger boy embraced Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who firstly of his cricketing profession already appears a grasp of his craft.

The 22-year-old off-spinner was additionally topped Player of the Match which he devoted to his nation that has been hit by three earthquakes in one week.

“It’s a very proud moment to be here and beating the champions. It’s a great achievement for the whole nation and the whole team,” mentioned Mujeeb.

“I’ve been bowling extra in the nets and making an attempt to bowl stump to stump to make it more durable. I’m actually having fun with my bowling in the meanwhile.

“This trophy is for the individuals who have been affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan. It’s devoted to them.”