Brutal England’s joyful feasting of Afghanistan Kebab

ICC World Cup 2019 Match No 24 Played at Manchester on 18 June 2019

England Vs Afghanistan

Brief Scorecard

England 397/6 (EJG Morgan 148,JMBairstow 90,JE Root 88, M Moin Ali 31*,JM Vince 26, GulbadinNaib 3/68,Dawlat Zadran 3/88, Rashid Khan 0/110 ,Mohammad Nabi 0/70) beat Afghanistan 247/8 ( HashmatullahShahidi 76,Rahmat Shah 46,Ashgar Afghan 44,Gulbadin Naib 37,Au Rashid 3/66,JC Archer 3/52, MA Wood 2/40) by 150 Runs

Player of the Match: Eoin Morgan

In an absolutely onesided encounter brutal England flattened Afghanistan proving them as toddler in global cricket event. England beat them by 150 runs. Choosing to bat first English batsmen made feast of Afghan kebab blasting their vaunted spin attack all over Manchester. 397 /6 for Afghans against high quality English bowling attack was more difficult than walking across Hindukush Mountain in deep winter. They however batted well .Even their best could reach them 247/8 in allotted overs. The features of the match were milestone setting flamboyant innings of 148 in 71 deliveries.

Not fully recovered from Injury yet Ireland born English Captain created new world record spanking 17 sixes in his brutal innings which also contained 4 hits across the fence. Morgan eclipsed 16 sixes scoring record held so far by AB de Villiers , Chris Gayle . The match witnessed the highest numbers (25) of Sixes struck in an ODi Match and highest total of English team in World Cup. Highly rated Afghan spinner Rashid Khan leaked 110 runs in his 9 overs without getting any wicket.

This win put England firmly at the top of the table with 8 points in 5 matches. Australia also have 8 from 5 matches .But England with massive wins have better run rates. Afghans have no points from 5 matches and it is highly unlikely that they will get any.

Afghanistan had the nightmare in the field as inform English top order blazed their way forward7/6 when Morgan chose to bat on a flat Manchester wicket. Mujib , Rashid mysteries did not work. DawlatZadran could remove Vince early .But after that it was run riot by English batsmen baking in the Sun Shine. 120 runs were added in the second wicket partnership between Bairstow and Root .Bairstow scored a relatively calm 90 in 99 balls with 3 sixes and 8 fours. Root Mogan third wicket partnership of 189 was target shooting by English marksmen. Afghan bowling was collared and butchered. Root was a bit friendly scoring 88 in 82 deliveries. But Morgan caned and whipped clueless Afghan bowlers mercilessly. His 144 in 71 deliveries would rank among the top innings in World Cup. His 17 sixes is a new record in the world cup. Morgan climbed to the 6thplace of all times 6 hitters in ODI with 211 sixes. The leader of the elite club is Boom BoomAfridi with 351.

However, Afghans managed to get both Root and Morgan out.Buttler and Stokes were also removed before they could do more damage .Moin Ali remained unbeaten on 31. England reached very close to scoring 400 for the first time in World Cup 2019. They were 397/6 in their allotted overs. The story of pathetic Afghan bowling with Rashid (0/110) ,Nabi (0/70) and Mujib(0/44) tell the story. GulbadanNaib with (3/68) and DawlatZadranwith (3/88) were the successful Afghan bowlers.

Afghan response in mountain riding with lame horse was not in total disarray. They played reasonably well against top quality English attack featuring Archer, Wood, Woakes, Stokes, Moin Ali and Adel Rashid.GulbadinNaid (76), Rahmat Shah (46) and Asghar Afghan (44) defied English bowlers to the best of their abilities. They could reach 247/8 by the end of their innings which was also 150 runs short. English bowlers having huge run cushion looked lot relaxed. Yet Archer (3/52), Rashid (3/66) and Wood (2/40) clinically performed their task.

This English team looks ready in all aspects. Batsmen are in prolific form. With the addition of Jofra Archer with Wood, Woakes and Plunket they have arguably the best pace attack for Engligh Condition. Moin and Rashid are also horses for the courses spinners. They are on top of the table and seems like would finish on top.

On the other hand Afghanistan team continues to frustrate their fans and well wishers. Hope this World Cup lesson would serve them well in future.

BDST: 1031 HRS, JUNE 19, 2019