Afghanistan’s historic win against England in the ICC World Cup has left cricket enthusiasts in awe. This triumph not only marked their second victory in the 50-over World Cup but also handed England their second defeat in the 2023 World Cup in India. Afghanistan’s remarkable achievement moved them off the bottom of the group standings, signaling their potential to challenge the giants of the game.
Before this historic victory, Afghanistan had struggled to secure a win in the One Day International (ODI) World Cup. Their last win dates back to 2015, when they defeated Scotland. Their losing streak, spanning 14 matches, was a challenge they were eager to overcome. With this win, Afghanistan has ended their World Cup drought.
Afghanistan’s victory over England shattered multiple records. Notably, their spinners played a pivotal role, contributing to 13 wickets in the match. This marked a rare occurrence in World Cup history, with only a few instances surpassing this feat. Spinners have seldom claimed more than 13 wickets in a single World Cup match.
England’s vulnerability to spin was one of the most astonishing aspects of this match. They lost as many as 8 wickets to spinners, a first in the history of the World Cup. This revelation highlights Afghanistan’s spin prowess and England’s struggle to counter it effectively.
Star performer Mohammad Nabi, with 15 wickets, emerged as the highest wicket taker for Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup. Afghanistan’s spin wizard, Rashid Khan, notably, showcased his mettle with the ball. In a remarkable turnaround from the 2019 World Cup, where he recorded the most expensive bowling figures against England, Rashid played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s victory. His fourth-best bowling figures for Afghanistan in the World Cup underlined his growth as a cricketer.
