Afghanistan’s national cricket team made history at the ICC World Cup with a stunning 69-run victory over defending champions England in a thrilling encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This remarkable win by Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Afghan side is being hailed as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the ICC World Cup.
In Match No.13 of the 2023 ICC World Cup, minnows Afghanistan demonstrated their mettle as they outclassed the reigning world champions, England. This historic triumph not only secured Afghanistan’s second win of the 50-over World Cup but also handed England their second defeat in the ongoing tournament in India.
The victory elevated Afghanistan from the bottom of the group standings, demonstrating their ability to punch above their weight on the grandest stage of them all. Prior to this extraordinary win, Afghanistan’s last World Cup victory dated back to 2015 when they defeated Scotland. Significantly, this victory marked Afghanistan’s first-ever One Day International (ODI) win against England, a monumental achievement for the Afghan cricket team.
The Afghanistan team broke several records with their epic win over Jos Buttler’s England side in Delhi. Notably, they ended a streak of 14 consecutive losses at the ODI World Cup, making their presence felt in the tournament and adding a new chapter to their cricketing journey. The previous record for most consecutive defeats in ODI World Cup cricket was held by Zimbabwe, who endured 18 losses from 1983 to 1992.
Star performer Mohammad Nabi, who played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s victory, took 15 wickets during the match, surpassing Dawlat Zadran’s previous record of 14 wickets to become the highest-wicket taker for Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup. This achievement adds another feather to Afghanistan’s cap and showcases the growing prowess of their cricketing talent.
Afghanistan’s historic win over England at the ICC World Cup is not only a testament to their dedication and hard work but also a moment of pride for the nation, as they continue to make strides in the world of international cricket.
