ICC World Cup 2019 Match no 28 Played at Southampton on 22 June 22
India Vs Afghanistan
Brief Score Card
India 224 /8 (VKohli 67, KH Jadhab 52, KL Rahul 30, MH Dhoni 28, V Shankar 26, Mohammad Nabi 2/32, Gulbadan Naib 2/51, Rashid Khan 1/32, Mujeebur Rahman 1/26 , Afthab Alam 1/54 ) beat Afghanistan 213 All Out (Mohammad Nabi 52, Rahmat Shah 36, GulbadinNaib 27, Hashmatullah Shahidi 21, Nazibullah Zadran 21 , Mohammad Sami 4/40, S Chahal 2/36, JJ Bumrah 2/39 , H Pandya 2/51 ) by 11 Runs
Player of the Match: JJ Bumrah
On a slow turning track of Southampton under sun shine, Afghanistan’s quality spinners strangled vaunted Indian batting to a well below par chase able score of 224/8. Afghans hotly chased towards a major upset. But quality all round Indian bowling attack managed choking Afghans to 213 all out. India had a great escape from humiliation winning by 11 runs. If Afghans had greater experience of winning against stronger teams in major event, they could cruise to victory. Mohammad Sami playing his first match in World Cup 2019 earned a rare hat trick. In the final over of the match he removed Mohammad Nabi, Aftab Alam and Mujeebur Rahman on the 49.3, 49.4 and 49.5 delivery. Indian X-factor Bumrah struck two vital blows removing well set Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi at crucial moment. India was taken out of Jail earning two very important points. With 9 points in 5 matches India looks secure for a semi final berth at 3rd position behind New Zealand and Australia. Afghanistan finally in their 6th match proved a point of their growing stature in world cricket. They were so close to a glorious victory yet it remained out of sight.
Earlier on the day when Kohli winning the toss elected to bat, we witnessed speculations in social media about Indian run riot. But on a slow low gripping track world class Afghan spinners finally came of their own. Mystery Mujeebur cleaned out inform Rohit Sharma very early with a well disguised googley. Even Rahul (30) and Kohli (62) struggled with the tight Afghan bowling in their 57 runs second wicket partnership. Experienced Nabi accounted for both before they could strike major damage. Rashid Khan (1/38), Mujeebur (1/26) bowled miserly spells. They were complemented by Rahmat Shah (1/21) Gulbadan Naib (2/52). Some other Indian batsmen KM Jadhab (52), MH Dhoni (28), V Shankar (26) got start. But none could collar Afghanistan bowling. The final score of 224/8 did not look at all impressive.
Afghanistan for some reason best known to them curbed their natural instinct going into their shell. Off course desperate India attacked Afghans with all they had trying to squeeze them. Sami bowling fast and swinging and Bumrah in his usual style made run making extremely difficult. Young Hafizullah Zazai tried to strike everything on the onside. Playing across the line he fell to a straight Sami delivery very early. Naib and Rahmat carefully resurrected the innings with 57 runs second wicket partnership before Naib fell to Pandya.
Rahmat and Shahidi steadied the innings with 46 runs 3rd wicket partnership. Afghans just started looking good when Bumrah brought back by Kohli in his second spell struck double blow removing both well set Rahmat Shah and Shahidi in the 29th over of the innings. From there on it became increasingly difficult as Afghans had only Mohammad Nabi to counter the quality Indian attack.
However calm and composed Nabi kept the pursuit going. He was assisted by Najbullah Zadran (21) and Rashid Khan (14). At 7/190 in the 46th over target was still in sight as Nabi was still there. Bumrah in his last over bowled six consecutive Yorkers choking Afghans. Any finally Sami in his last over bowling fast and on full earned a hat trick taking the wickets of Nabi (62), Aftab (0) and Mujeeb (0).
Afghanistan was all out 213 losing by 11 runs. One must give full credit to Afghanistan for extending strong India to their limits. If only Afghanistan had more experience of winning against major teams in global events it was a game for their taking.
Sami included in the match for the first time replacing Kumar took 4/44 including the last over hat trick impressed all. Bumrah taking wickets of two well set batsmen at crucial time and bowling a tight 49th over was adjudicated player of the match.
Kohli utilized his bowling resources very intelligently. All his bowlers Sami (4/40) Chahal 2/36, Bumrah 2/ 39, Pandya 2/51 made useful contribution. People say batting is India’s strength. But in my opinion they have the best all round bowling attack. Remember Kumar and Jadeja were in the bench yesterday.
Afghanistan must take great heart from this match. They made possible Champions of 2019 sweat and toil. Sometimes defeats also glorify a team as it did brave Afghans in this match.
BDST: 0915 HRS, JUNE 23, 2019
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