Mohammed Shami claimed a hat-trick to secure victory as India pipped Afghanistan by 11 runs in a thrilling low-scoring World Cup match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, India batsmen struggled on a slow pitch and crawled to 224 for eight with Virat Kohli (67) and Kedar Jadhav (52) managing half-centuries against a disciplined Afghanistan bowling unit.
Captain Gulbadin Naib (2/51) and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi (2/33) shared four wickets between them as India posted their lowest total of the tournament.
Afghanistan’s batsmen, however, could not complement the effort of their bowlers and were dismissed for 213 in 49.5 overs.
Nabi top-scored for them with 52 before Shami claimed the last three wickets in successive deliveries in the final over to seal India’s fourth victory of the tournament.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
We won but an outstanding effort from Afghanistan. They can be very proud. Bumrah and Shami saved it for India in the end. Congratulations to @MdShami11 on the Hat-trick. #INDvAFG
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2019
Well done #TeamIndia @MdShami11 Bhai rocks Afghanistan shocked but really appreciate the way #Afghanistanteam played 👍 #yecuphumarahai🏆
— Khaleel Ahmed 🇮🇳 (@imK_Ahmed13) June 22, 2019
Looked like Sanjay Manjrekar really really wanted Afghanistan to win today. But @MdShami11 ‘s incredible HATTRICK & @Jaspritbumrah93 ‘s Yorkers came in way. Well played Afghanistan. And well done #TeamIndia 🙌🏽#INDvAFG #CWC19
— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) June 22, 2019
🇮🇳🙏🏼
— Athiya Shetty (@theathiyashetty) June 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChaharDeepak9/status/1142489680476172289
Indians to take a hat-trick in the World Cup:
Chetan Sharma v NZ in 1987
MOHAMMED SHAMI v Afghanistan in 2019 — 4th Indian to take ODI hat-trickKapil Dev and Kuldeep Yadav too have ODI hat-tricks for India#INDvAFG #AFGvIND #CWC19
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 22, 2019
Jasprit Bumrah is gold. Super calm under pressure. Feel for Afghanistan 🇦🇫 though. A brilliant game. #CWC19
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) June 22, 2019
Such a nail-biter that
Amazing amazing bowling by all our bowlers. @Jaspritbumrah93 , @yuzi_chahal and that hat-trick @MdShami11 stole the showAfghanistan played well but India had the winning edge. #TrueChampionTeam #AFGvIND #WorldCup19
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) June 22, 2019
What an amazing win tonight ! Many congratulations team India. Superb performance by Mohammed Shami @MdShami11
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) June 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/surya_14kumar/status/1142490448272875520
Hattrick in his comeback game for Team INDIA 🇮🇳 @MdShami11 u beauty. So very happy for u 👍 Well done @bcci for an incredible Win tonight. To defend such a low score goes to show that we hav d best bowling attack in this World Cup. Congratulations everyone 👏👍🇮🇳 #WorldCup2019
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) June 22, 2019
Phew! Made to work hard for that one. Full marks to Afghanistan, pushed India till the finish line. Champion spell by hattrick hero @MdShami11 #INDVAFG #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/DuxZOsFFgR
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) June 22, 2019
Bumrah & Shami deserve all the praise for the win tonight but still too close for comfort. #INDvAFG
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) June 22, 2019
UNBEATEN AT #CWC19! 🇮🇳#TeamIndia register their 50th World Cup victory in a cracker of a game vs Afghanistan winning the match by 11 runs. 💪#INDvAFG #OrangeArmy #RiseWithUs (📸: BCCI) pic.twitter.com/iZkO9tmi1t
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) June 22, 2019
Top bowling performance @Jaspritbumrah93 @MdShami11 hattrick 💪🏏🔥 Chahal you beauty @yuzi_chahal.. great game india 🇮🇳 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ congratulations @BCCI @StarSportsIndia @ICC
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 22, 2019
What a game. Hats off to @ACBofficials for their tremendous courage and skills in giving India a run for their money. Fantastic effort from @MohammadNabi007 but India holding their nerves in the end. #INDvAFG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 22, 2019
Afghanistan won a lot of new fans today. Played superbly and India were lucky to win this.any congratulations to @MdShami11 on a World Cup Hat-trick #INDvAFG
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 22, 2019
