World Cup 2023, Match 13 | Impact Performer - Mujeeb Ur Rahman Shocks the Defending Champions
Mujeeb ur Rahman ensured the first upset of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)
In a stunning turn of events, Afghanistan delivered the first major upset of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, stunning the defending champions, England, with a convincing 69-run victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. This unexpected triumph was marked by a spirited Afghan performance, setting England a target of 285 runs to chase. The foundation for this formidable total was laid by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who played a blistering knock of 80 runs off 57 balls, complemented by a crucial half-century from wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil.
As the English side went to the crease, they faced formidable resistance from Afghanistan's trio of spinners. The spinners, including Mujeeb and Rashid Khan, were the standout performers, as they systematically dismantled the English batting lineup. The trio combined to capture 8 wickets in total, with Mujeeb and Rashid picking up 3 wickets each, while Mohammad Nabi contributed with 2 crucial wickets.
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England, the defending champions, could only manage to reach a total of 215 runs, falling significantly short of Afghanistan's target. This unexpected win will be remembered as a historic moment for Afghan cricket, and it has certainly injected a sense of unpredictability and excitement into the World Cup tournament.
Afghanistan's Spin Supremacy: Winning Formula against England
Mujeeb’s Dot balls % figures against his each wicket (Source: OneCricket)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman's performance with the ball was truly exceptional, and he played a pivotal role in dismantling the English batting lineup. His bowling display was highlighted by his remarkable ability to extract crucial wickets and put the defending champions on the back foot. Mujeeb's first breakthrough came in the form of Joe Root, one of England's most dependable batters. Mujeeb expertly exploited the angle and kept Root guessing, with the delivery possibly staying a tad low. Root, however, made the error of playing back when he should have been forward, and the ball sneaked past his inside edge to crash into the off-stump.
The next victim of Mujeeb's crafty spin was Chris Woakes. He delivered a flighted, wrong'un at 92.1kph, completely foxing Woakes, who failed to pick the variation. Once again, he made the mistake of playing down the wrong line, and the full delivery spun past his inside edge, crashing into the off-stump.
The final and perhaps the most significant blow was the dismissal of Harry Brook. Mujeeb sent down a faster delivery at 100.6kph, disguising it as a carrom ball. Brook, while casually looking to work it into the on-side from the crease, got an outside edge, and the vigilant Ikram Alikhil behind the stumps made no mistake in pouched the catch. This crucial wicket sealed Afghanistan's historic victory over England in the match.
Conclusion
Mujeeb's outstanding performance was a spark for Afghanistan's surprise victory, instilling the team with a new belief as they advance into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. This historic victory will definitely bolster Afghanistan's morale, moving them ahead with a sense of purpose and determination. On the other hand, England's cricketing heavyweights were shaken and embarrassed by their poor performance.
They face an uphill task to find their footing and perform at the level anticipated of reigning champions after two losses in the competition. The defeat serves as a wake-up call for the English team, encouraging them to reassess and regroup quickly in order to manage the competition's challenges. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has proven to be full of surprises, and every team must be at their best to claim victory.
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