Afghans relish new lease of life

Mark Wood stood with his hands on his hips a few metres away from the crease, looking stone-faced as Afghanistan's jubilant players ran in all directions around him after pulling off an upset of epic proportions by humbling reigning World Cup champions England.

Coming into the match on the back of a 14-match losing World Cup streak, the Afghans tackled, harried, and hustled their way to a conspiratorial 69-run win, causing an almighty surprise. Rightly so, it reflected the spirit and courage of the battle-hardened tribe from the country ravaged by decades of political turmoil. Prior to this, Afghanistan's only win at a World Cup came back in 2015 on their debut in the tournament..

England, though, had polished their credentials as one of the tournament favourites by beating New Zealand in the recent four-match ODI series but the spluttering defeat to the Afghans leaves them pondering on ways to pull their socks up.

A stunned Jos Buttler watched as blue-clad Afghanistan fans celebrated in disbelief in the stands. His Rajasthan Royals teammate Joe Root, with hands on his face, wore a dejected look as the Afghan substitutes swarmed onto the field.

"It's a tough loss to take. Congratulations to Afghanistan, they outplayed us today. They have got a really skilful attack, some fantastic spinners especially. Afghanistan were fully deserving in their victory," Buttler told reporters.

A see-saw contest initially seemed to be tilting the English's way when Harry Brook blasted them to the brink of victory with a rampaging 61-ball 66. Yet, somehow, they still fell short.

In reply to Afghanistan's 284 all out, England faltered to 215 with nearly ten overs to spare.

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England were tied down, to an extent that saw them going more than eight overs without hitting a boundary until the buoyant Brook managed the team's lone six of the innings in the 31st over. But it was too late by then. Spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan then thrived under lights, dishing out a clinical performance to register a World Cup match win about eight years since their last against Scotland.

"It's a very proud moment to be here in the World Cup beating the last champions, it is a good moment for the whole nation and the team. A wonderful performance for the bowlers and the batters," said Mujeeb.

Mujeeb and Rashid were not the only heroes. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave early impetus with a blistering 80. Along the way, he constructed, against one of the best attacks in the world, an innings if not quite flawless, then certainly peerless. Strokes fell like light rain off his willow, so magnificent that he made Afghanistan's 100 off 76 deliveries look easy as a pie. Unnerved by wickets falling at regular intervals on the other end, Gurbaz's spine required straightening at intervals - Delhi's humidity was wrenching, the noise at an overcapacity Arun Jaitley delirious, but somehow he was oblivious to it all.

The roars became louder, and the smiles broader.

While Ikram Alikhil was indomitable in the middle of the park, Rashid held his own against Sam Curran, with his shots through the covers and flicks being a treat to watch. Most of all, former England batter Jonathan Trott, who is the present Afghanistan coach, deserves credit for masterminding a win that will be etched into the annals of World Cup history.

After Sunday, there are certainly bigger areas of concerns for Team England to contend with. Perhaps, the big question mark hangs over the tactical acumen of Buttler and his readiness for a ‘bazball' attack when the occasion calls for it, with issues over the side's batting depth still remaining unanswered.

However, it is no secret that the Brendon McCullum-headed side have dished out quality cricket when their backs are to the wall of late, with the fight-back in the 2023 Ashes being fresh in one's memory.

And while it is ‘premature' to say that England's World Cup defence is under threat, let us hope their blustering brand of cricket pays off rich dividends from hereon.