India vs Afghanistan LIVE: Mohammad Shami steers side clear of shock World Cup defeat
Afghanistan were close to producing one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Mohammed Shami's final-over hat-trick broke Afghanistan hearts as India sealed an 11-run World Cup win at Southampton.
Mohammad Nabi's smart 52 had Afghanistan eyeing the greatest-ever World Cup upset, only for Shami to send him packing - then clean bowl Aftab Alam and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the next two balls.
Shami's four for 40 and Jasprit Bumrah's two for 39 delivered a bowling masterclass to allow India to defend their paltry 224 for eight from their full 50 overs.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
6.0 India 18-1 KL Rahul 16 Virat Kohli 1
KL Rahul strikes through point and finds the first boundary of the day from Alam's full delivery, splitting Rahid Khan and Najib in the field.
SO CLOSE! A coupld of deliveries later and he really could have gone. He gets a thick edge but is saved by first slip being vacant. Naib at second was too far away and it was just out of Ikram's reach behind the wicket.
7.0 India 20-1 KL Rahul 17 Virat Kohli 2
KL Rahul has played with Mujeeb a lot in the IPL with King's XI and should have a decent understanding of his intentions but is just getting done by length here.
8.0 India 34-1 KL Rahul 18 Virat Kohli 15
Kohli is looking very comfortable ou there and effortlessly finds the rope off consecutive Alam deliveries as he begins to go through the gears.
9.0 India 36-1 KL Rahul 19 Virat Kohli 16
The noise around the ground when Kohli is on strike is absolutely incredible. There's only a couple of cheers in the last over as Rahul and Kohli exchange a single.
10 India 41-1 KL Rahul 20 Virat Kohli 20
The lesser-spotted three! A graceful cover drive from Kohli sends a warning to Gulbadin Naib on his first ball of the match.
That's the first powerplay over and done with. 40 runs and a wicket from the opening phase which is seemingly being given as a draw.
11 India 49-1 KL Rahul 22 Virat Kohli 26
Mujeeb concedes his first boundary at the end of his sixth over, Kohli swatted away his final delivery.
12 India 55-1 KL Rahul 24 Virat Kohli 29
Blimey that's really poor fielding as Rashid's throw back to the keeper completely misses him and India turn one run into two. Their bowlers have been working so hard in these early overs to keep the runs down and that's a shame for Afghanistan if their fielidng can't follow suit.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments