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Topley could be in for another injury; I hope it’s not serious. Wokes starts off with five wide. Hits 3 consecutive boundaries.
Fazal’s opening spell was a master class.
Joe Root takes an absolute screamer to dismiss Rashid Khan, if he hadn’t made that effort, I was sure he’d easily make another 50! But Joe Root easily runs a few yards in the deep! It was hit in the air, flat and wide of Root at long-on, times his leap to perfection, and catches in both hands and holds on to it with one as he slides across the turf. Priceless breakthrough at the start of Rashid’s final over.
England’s middle order with Harry Brook. He was looking pretty decent and everyone was expecting an innings that could help him hit one of those stand up innings that every cricketer dreams of as a little boy. Livi is such a package; he Bowls off-spin to lefties and leg spin to righties, and Also cunts sixes in the middle order. But today was not his day. The England innings didn’t really have anything going for them, I don’t think they crossed 200 runs in their batting till now.
Nabi later tricks Malan into playing a TERRIBLE shot.
Mujeeb’s Root dismissal was a total masterclass, he literally tricked one of the best batsmen in the world who’s known for his footwork at the crease. The ball kept low and hit the off-stump very comfortably.
Naveen’s Jos Buttler wicket! Wow, Buttler plays all around the angled delivery, to flick but it sneaks in and knocks those stumps off!
Fazal Farooqui’s first spell was one of the ages, he started with that Bairstow’s wicket that was a glimpse into what was about hit England. And how does Bairstow manage have some sort of a comedic wicket? I don’t recall watching any wicket that didn’t have two umpire’s call for an LBW. Only Bairstow, poor Bairstow. I bet if this was in England, the crowd would’ve had a meltdown and booed and bullied the Afghan players.
They played like a team, really, Mujeeb, Rashid, and Zadran at the top were extremely valuable runs. They didn’t have big scores, but it felt like they came in at a timely hour. I was hoping that they’d hit the 300 mark because that would’ve put extra pressure on the English, but we all know that was not needed.
Afghans won by 69 runs. The last wicket was taken by Rashid, it only seemed fitting!
I had hopes till Nabi was at the crease, but when he got out Afghans were 190-6, it meant that they were going to crash out, this is it. Just when you thought Afghanistan would crash out after those wickets falling one after another, Ikram Ali steadied the ship with 58 solid runs! His second in the World Cups and third in ODIs. You can’t forget the partnerships he built with with Rashid and Mujeeb.
Mujeeb’s all-round performance
He hit a quick 28 in just 16 balls. Mujeeb’s golden over thanks to Sam Curran’s 4th over and he goes for a 4, 4, and a six! He made the English look like absolute minnows.
3/51- Root, Brook and Wood!
This is the inning from Gurbaaz we wanted to see all this time; he’s lighting up the stadium! He was fearless; I would have him on my fantasy team on any given day! It’s like there’s Wood’s pace isn’t making any difference to him. The bold partnership between Gurbaaz and Zadraan during the opening announced to the world that they are nothing less than a shiny new world-class side. They reached 50 early in just 6.3 Overs, which had about 9 extras bowled to them, and clocked 100 runs in just 12.4 overs. With two wickets down, the cricket fans were devastated by Gurbaaz’s runout at 80; this was not a fancy sight to see; it was the captain on the other side. There was no run in any form; it was too close for anyone to run, but Gurbaaz trusted the captain was quick, too, but not quick enough! He seems livid, and I can only imagine the conversation in the dressing room afterward. I think he could’ve easily gone to 150-160 by himself. By the way Gurbaaz is just 21!
Hashmat never redeemed himself, barely got 14 runs.
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