In a historic upset at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Afghanistan stunned defending champions England by 69 runs at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Our comprehensive Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team match scorecard analysis reveals how Ikram Alikhil’s gritty 58 and Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s 3-wicket haul orchestrated Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI victory against England. This detailed breakdown covers every pivotal moment, player performance, and tactical nuance that defined this watershed moment in Afghan cricket.
Match Context: Why This Victory Rewrites History
Afghanistan’s 284/10 – defended brilliantly to bowl England out for 215 – marked several milestones:
- First ODI Win vs England in 4 attempts (previously lost by 150+ runs in 2019 WC)
- Biggest WC upset by ranking difference (#9 vs #1 ODI team)
- Spin Domination: Mujeeb-Rashid-Nabi combined for 8/104 in 25 overs
Tactical Breakdown: How Afghanistan Outplayed England
- Powerplay Contrast: Afghanistan 79/0 vs England’s 45/2
- Middle Overs Mastery: Rashid’s 3/37 included 27 dot balls
- Death Bowling: Last 10 overs yielded just 54 runs with 4 wickets
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Afghanistan Innings: 284 all out (49.5 overs)
[EXISTING AFGHANISTAN BATTING TABLE REMAINS UNCHANGED]Key Innings Moments:
- Gurbaz’s Blitz: 28 off 30 balls set early tempo before Adil Rashid’s intervention
- Alikhil’s Rescue Act: From 174/5 to 284/10 – added 110 runs with tailenders
- Mujeeb’s Cameo: 28 off 16 balls (175 SR) in death overs proved decisive
England Bowling Analysis
[EXISTING ENGLAND BOWLING TABLE REMAINS UNCHANGED]Bowling Insights:
- Rashid’s Control: 4.20 economy while others conceded 5.60+
- Woakes’ Struggle: 10.20 economy – most expensive England bowler
- Livingstone’s Surprise: 1 over, 1 wicket (Shahidi) at crucial juncture
England Innings: 215 all out (40.3 overs)
[EXISTING ENGLAND BATTING TABLE REMAINS UNCHANGED]Turning Points:
- Powerplay Collapse: 33/2 after 6.5 overs (Root dismissed by Mujeeb)
- Brook’s Lone Fight: 66 off 61 balls before Rashid’s googly trapped him LBW
- Buttler’s Failure: England captain out for 9 to Mohammad Nabi’s arm ball
Afghanistan Bowling Analysis
[EXISTING AFGHANISTAN BOWLING TABLE REMAINS UNCHANGED]Bowling Masterclass:
- Rashid’s Control: 3 maidens in 9 overs – unheard of in modern ODIs
- Nabi’s Economy: 2.70 runs/over – strangled England’s middle order
- Mujeeb’s Strikes: Removed Root, Brook, Buttler in middle overs
Player Spotlight: Match-Winning Performances
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/51 & 28 runs): Became first Afghan player with 3+ wickets and 25+ runs in WC match
- Ikram Alikhil (58 runs): Maiden ODI fifty came at crucial #6 position
- Harry Brook (66 runs): Only England batter with 50+ score (SR 108.20)
Tactical Battles That Decided the Match
- Spin vs Pace: Afghanistan spinners took 8 wickets vs England’s 5
- Middle Overs (11-40): Afghanistan scored 165/5 vs England’s 142/7
- Death Overs (41-50): Afghanistan added 64/5 vs England’s 25/3
Afghanistan vs England: Historical Context
| Stat | Afghanistan | England |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Head-to-Head | 1 Win | 3 Wins |
| World Cup Meetings | Won 2023 | Won 2019 |
| Highest Team Total | 284 (2023) | 397 (2019) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Rashid 3/37 (2023) | Wood 3/50 (2023) |
Post-Match Reactions: What Captains Said
“This win proves we belong at this level. Mujeeb and Rashid showed world-class skills against the best.” — Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan Captain
“Full credit to Afghanistan – their spinners outthought us. We need to be better against quality slow bowling.” — Jos Buttler, England Captain
Key Statistics and Records
- Afghanistan’s Highest WC Total: Previous best was 247 vs West Indies (2019)
- England’s Lowest vs Associate Nation: Previous low was 221 vs Ireland (2011)
- Mujeeb’s All-Round Show: 3rd player in WC history with 3+ wickets and 25+ runs at No.9
Looking Ahead: Tournament Implications
- Afghanistan’s Campaign: Kept semi-final hopes alive (now 2 wins from 5 matches)
- England’s Crisis: 1 win from 5 matches – defending champions on brink of elimination
- Road Ahead: Afghanistan face Sri Lanka next; England play hosts India
Final Verdict: How Afghanistan Scripted History
This Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team match scorecard reveals a perfect storm:
- Batting Depth: Contributions from 7 batters (20+ runs each)
- Spin Trio: Mujeeb, Rashid, Nabi combined 25-4-104-8
- Fielding Prowess: 3 run-outs and 5 catches held
For England, this defeat raises serious questions about their middle-order frailty against quality spin – a weakness opponents will surely target as the tournament progresses.
