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The ODI World Cup 2023 has already produced its fair share of jaw-dropping moments and upsets, but perhaps none as monumental as Afghanistan’s thrilling victory over defending champions England. The historic match took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi and will be etched into the annals of cricket history as a day when the underdogs rose to the occasion.
The internet soon after the match exploded with admiration and applause for Afghanistan’s valiant performance, with cricket fans and celebrities alike joining in the celebration. Among the many, Saiyami Kher, known for her dazzling presence on the silver screen and her past involvement in cricket, also couldn’t contain her joy at the Afghan side’s historic win over defending champions England.
Saiyami Kher celebrates Afghanistan’s triumph
Saiyami’s connection to the world of cricket runs deep. She once donned the cricketing whites at the school level for Maharashtra and even had the honour of being considered for national team selection. Her enthusiasm for the sport is undeniable, and it was no surprise to see her express her elation at Afghanistan’s triumph.
The Bollywood actress took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her feelings and her message resonated with cricket fans around the world. In her Tweet, she commended the Afghan side for their awe-inspiring performance and hailed the match as the “best game of the World Cup”. Her words captured the sentiments of millions of cricket enthusiasts who were captivated by the thrilling spectacle.
“What a game! What a win! Best game of the WC. So happy for Afganistan. Defending world champs totally outplayed. Truly incredible,” wrote Saiyami.
What a game! What a win! Best game of the WC. So happy for Afganistan. Defending world champs totally outplayed. Truly incredible 🙌🏽#AFGvENG #WorldCup2023
— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) October 15, 2023
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Match overview
Afghanistan innings: (284/10 in 49.5 Overs)
Asked to bat first, Afghanistan amassed a competitive total of 284 runs in their allocated 50 overs. The innings was marked by notable contributions from various Afghan batters. Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a pivotal role, setting the stage with an explosive 80 runs off 57 deliveries, adorned with eight fours and four sixes. Another noteworthy performance came from Ikram Alikhil, who contributed significantly with 58 runs off 66 balls.
The English bowlers put in a commendable effort, with Adil Rashid emerging as the standout performer. Adil claimed three crucial wickets, conceding 42 runs in his spell of 10 overs.
England innings: (215/10 in 40.3 Overs)
In their pursuit of Afghanistan’s 285-run target, England encountered significant challenges in building partnerships. The Afghan bowlers proved to be a stern test for the English batters. Harry Brook emerged as the top scorer for England, contributing 66 runs off 61 balls. However, England’s innings was characterized by inconsistency, and the lack of substantial partnerships hindered their progress.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the star performer with the ball for Afghanistan, taking three wickets for 51 runs in his quota of 10 overs. The leg-spin wizard Rashid Khan also left his mark, claiming three wickets for 37 runs in 9.3 overs.
Ultimately, Afghanistan’s total proved to be beyond England’s reach, and they lost the contest by a margin of 69 runs. The ‘Player of the Match’ was rightfully awarded to Mujeeb for his impressive all-round performance.
