World Cup 2023, ENG Vs AFG | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

England defeated Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup [X.com]

England move to Delhi for their next league-stage encounter of the men's ICC World Cup 2023 on Sunday (October 15). The defending champions are hoping to continue on the winning ways after hammering Bangladesh in Dharamshala. The Jos Buttler-led side recovered swiftly from their comprehensive defeat in the opening fixture versus New Zealand. 

Up next for them will be the match-up against Afghanistan, who have been struggling for breathing space in the early days of the competition. The Asian darkhorses were battered and bruised in the first two matches by Bangladesh and India and wouldn't want to fall prey to England's lengthy batting unit on a flat deck at Feroz Shah Kotla. 

ENG vs AFG: Team Previews 

England 

England might be in for a forced change to their line-up amidst reports of allrounder Chris Woakes undergoing sickness, which could open the doors for left-arm swing bowler and capable lower-order bat Dawid Willey. 

Willey's presence would bolster England's new-ball arsenal considering the great form that fellow left-arm quick Reece Topley showcased with his four-fer against Bangladesh. 

The match against Afghanistan could also be a comeback fixture for England's premier allrounder Ben Stokes, whose knee problems had left him out of the side's first two matches as the team management wishes to take no risks with their coveted match-winner. 

Stokes batted at the nets in Delhi on the eve of the game and could be a shoo-in for what would be a precursor to England's next major clash against South Africa next week in Mumbai. 

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Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi Pitch Report For ENG Vs AFG World Cup Match

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Afghanistan 

The match against India reinforced the best and the worst of Afghanistan as a cricket side. When the fighting Afghan instincts took over and they played their big shots, the Asian rivals posed a competitive outlook. However, when their technique and strike-rotation abilities were put to the test, they failed miserably versus Indian seamers and spinners. 

Why, despite knocks of substance from skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai (62) they couldn't reach the 300-run mark on the flattest Delhi pitch in memory, playing too many dot balls and depending heavily on boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. That's a big area of concern in their development at the international stage. 

Shahidi & company also need to revisit their bowling strategy as they tend to follow a rigid template in how they use their ace wristspinner Rashid Khan. Even when Rohit Sharma was giving them a proper hammering, the Afghans didn't bring Rashid into the contest and waited till the 15th over to introduce him. By then Rohit had reached 88* on his way to a magnificent 131. 

ENG vs AFG: Match Details & Live Streaming

ENG vs AFG: Delhi Pitch Report

The pitch at the historic Feroz Shah Kotla ground has never played flatter than it has for the ongoing World Cup 2023. Two matches in, the scoring rate at the venue stands at 7.02 for the competition. 

A ground that has historically witnessed some low-scoring battles with spinners and seamers' assistance saw South Africa smash the Sri Lankans for 428/5 - the highest team total in men's World Cup history. A similar track could be fatal for the Afghans as England's battery of explosive players wait in anticipation for the low-key fixture.

ENG vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs

England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Dawid Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

ENG vs AFG: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

ENG vs AFG: Winner Prediction

England look set to rise up in the points table with their second win on the bounce from the first three games of the World Cup. Given that Afghanistan are struggling with their form and skill, a flat pitch in Delhi is the last thing they would've wished for before taking on the powerful defending champions.

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Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi Pitch Report For ENG Vs AFG World Cup Match

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