Advertisment
Twitter Reactions Cricket

‘Toofani paari from Gurbaz’ – Fans react to Afghanistan’s electric start versus England in ODI World Cup 2023

Rahmanull Gurbaz's 80 run knock powers Afghanistan to a quick start versus England during the ODI World Cup 2023 game in New Delhi on Sunday.

author-image
Sarah
New Update
afg

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (source-twitter)

Match number 13 of the ODI World Cup 2023 was played on Sunday in New Delhi. The game was between defending champions England and Afghanistan. The England Cricket Team had won their only previous encounter last time during the 2019 edition.

Advertisment

England has played two games so far winning against Bangladesh and losing to New Zealand. Afghanistan on the other hand have lost both their games of the tournament so far. Shahidi and his men began the campaign with a loss to Bangladesh before losing to India.

Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bowl first to make use of the better chasing conditions. England went in with the same team that had beaten Bangladesh in Dharamshala. Afghanistan made one change as Najibullah Zadran was replaced by Ikram Alikhil.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz powers Afghanistan to a quick start 

Advertisment

Put into bat, Afghanistan were quick off the blocks as they went after the English bowling. While Ibrahim Zadran was circumspect, young Gurbaz was seen blazing the opposition bowlers.

Gurbaz was particularly severe on Chris Woakes as the veteran bowler was hit for 31 runs from 3 overs. Sam Curran wasn’t spared either as the Englishman was hit for 26 runs in his two overs. 

The young Afghanistan wicket-keeper batter scored his half-century in 33 balls. Afghanistan got to their 100 for the loss of no wickets in just under 13 overs to leave Jos Buttler shocked.

Advertisment

The introduction of Adil Rashid turned the game around for England. The veteran leg spinner first got the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran for 28 caught by Joe Root. Zadran’s knock came off 48 balls with 3 hits to the fence.

The fifth over of Adil Rashid saw the English team make a strong comeback in the game. The 4th ball of the 19th over saw Rahmat Shah stumped by Jos Buttler for a duck. The very next ball Gurbaz was run-out after confusion with his captain Hasmatullah Shahidi. The youngster scored 80 runs from 57 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes. Afghanistan from 114/0 had crumbled to 122/3 in a space of 13 balls.

Here’s how the fans reacted -

England Afghanistan featured ODI World Cup 2023