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‘It’s For The People…,’ Mujeeb Dedicates WC 2023 Win Over ENG To Earthquake Victims

image-lnrp8pw8Mujeeb Ur Rahman celebrates a wicket against England at the 2023 World Cup (x.com)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a veteran of over 100 international matches for Afghanistan, navigated his side to a historic win over defending champions England at the 2023 World Cup. The star all-rounder, alongside spin mates Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi strangled the Englishmen in their stiff run-chase, after he blasted a thunderous 28-run cameo in the Afghanistan innings upfront.

For his sensational all-round display, Mujeeb was fittingly adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’.

Mujeeb explains significance of beating England

After the match, an elated Mujeeb Ur Rahman explained the significance of upstaging the defending champions, and praised his teammates for coming forward with a collective team performance on the big day. During the post-match presentation, he said:

“Very proud moment to be here in the World Cup and beating the champions. It's a great achievement for the whole team, we worked hard for this day. We beat such a big team. It was a wonderful performance from the bowlers and the batters.”

The star all-rounder also talked about the gameplan that prompted him to bowl in the powerplay. It is worth noting that the ace spinner opened the bowling alongside speed veteran Fazalhaq Farooqi, and ended up claiming three crucial wickets, including that of Joe Root and Harry Brook.

The cricketer claimed that he has been working in the nets as he was mentally prepared to bowl in the powerplay, where teams are only allowed to keep two fielders outside the inner circle. He stated:

“As a spinner, it's pretty hard to bowl in the powerplay, you have only two fielders outside. That's something I've been working in the nets. Bowling with the new ball and trying to be as consistent as possible. That's something which has made me more effective. I am always trying to bowl stump to stump and keep it simple. We knew that the dew was going to come and play a part in the latter part. That's why I was telling the captain to bowl me in the powerplay. We were mentally prepared.”

Towards the death overs of the Afghanistan innings, Mujeeb Ur Rahman punched out three boundaries and a six to race to a 16-ball 28. His thunderous cameo eventually lifted his side to a monumental 284 upfront, one that proved to be a match-winning total by 69 runs.

The youngster credited Afghanistan team management for backing him with the bat, and for giving him confidence in the nets. He added:

“It's all about the management, the players. They give me confidence in the nets. He has always been with me in the nets, my partner. He wants to hit each and every ball, that's the area I want to contribute as well. Those 20-25 runs means a lot for the team.”

The 22-year-old also dedicated his ‘Player of the Match’ trophy and the historic win to all the earthquake-hit victims back in Herat, Afghanistan.

“This trophy is for the people back home who are affected by the earthquake in Herat. this whole win is for them.”

Afghanistan’s grand win over England lifted them up to number six on the World Cup 2023 points table. Mujeeb Ur Rahman along with the rest of his teammates will now face New Zealand at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 18.