England vs Afghanistan LIVE: Cricket World Cup result and reaction as reigning champions suffer shock defeat
Follow all the action from Arun Jaitley Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.England’s title defence of the Cricket World Cup is in real trouble after losing to Afghanistan by 69 runs in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history. Afghanistan were dismissed for 284 in Delhi, but bowled out England for 215 with 9.3 overs left. Only Harry Brook offered serious resistance with a 61-ball 66.
The Afghans celebrated only their second-ever win at the World Cup, the other coming against Scotland in 2015 in their first appearance.England have now lost two of their opening three group games, having been thrashed by New Zealand in the tournament opener.
Gurbaz gave the underdogs an explosive start after being sent in by Jos Buttler, dominating a rapid opening stand of 114 and piling on 80 in 57 balls.
But they lost three wickets in 14 balls to throw away much of their good work, Adil Rashid taking the first two before Gurbaz was mindlessly run out by his captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.
He had lit up the lively Arun Jaitley Stadium with his fearless strokeplay, but without his impetus England were able to gain a foothold. They bowled their opponents out for 284 off the penultimate ball of the innings, but there were plenty of question marks over the bowling attack - and even more over the subsequent batting performance.
Follow all the latest live reaction from today’s match in the live blog below and check the latest odds here:
England vs Afghanistan
9.2
Reece Topley to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Length ball, down leg side down the track defending, to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Malan.
England vs Afghanistan - LIVE
The boundaries coming with increased frequency and Gurbaz is enjoying himself - a clever clip away to his left gets four, then he absolutely hammers Curran’s next delivery over the fence and into the stands for six.
145 tournament sixes at the 2023 World Cup.
Afghanistan for 75 without loss at the end of the ninth over, Sam Curran is 0-26 (2).
England vs Afghanistan
9.1
Reece Topley to Ibrahim Zadran. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot Steer, to short third man for 1 run, fielded by Wood.
England vs Afghanistan
8.6
Sam Curran to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Slower ball half volley, off stump on the front foot driving, to deep cover for 2 runs, fielded by Brook.
England vs Afghanistan
8.5
SIX! Sam Curran to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Back of a length, to leg on the back foot pulling, well timed in the air under control over deep square leg for 6 runs.
England vs Afghanistan
8.4
FOUR! Sam Curran to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. In-swinging length ball, down leg side on the front foot glancing, well timed past fine leg for 4 runs.
England vs Afghanistan
8.3
FOUR! Sam Curran to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Length ball, off stump on the front foot driving, well timed past deep extra cover for 4 runs.
England vs Afghanistan
8.2
FREE HIT. Sam Curran to Ibrahim Zadran. Slower length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge in the air uncontrolled to short third man for 1 run, mis-fielded by Buttler, fielded by Topley.
England vs Afghanistan - LIVE
Afghanistan hit the 50-run mark by the end of the seventh over. Not much joy for Topley so far with an average bowl speed of just under 133km/h. Sam Curran is coming in for his second over.
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