With two points from three matches, Afghanistan is now sixth in the points table.© AFP
Afghanistan pulled off one of the biggest World Cup shocks on Sunday when they defeated holders England by 69 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Chasing 285 to win after Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a blistering 80, England were bowled out for 215 despite Harry Brook scoring a gritty 66. Spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan claimed three wickets each. The victory allowed Afghanistan to move off the foot of the points table.
With two points in three matches, Afghanistan are now sixth in the points table, behind only England, fifth, in terms of net run-rate.
With three wins in as many matches, India sits at the top with an impressive Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1,821. New Zealand also has six points from three matches, but is second due to a lower NRR of +1.604.
South Africa are third with four points from two games, but have the best NRR in the competition so far (+2,360). Pakistan lost its first league match against India on Saturday and is fourth with four points from three games.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Australia are the four other teams in the bottom half.
This stunning upset gave Afghanistan only their second World Cup victory, alongside a sole victory over Scotland in the 2015 tournament.
They came into Sunday’s match having lost their first two matches in India and following a 14-match losing streak at the World Cup.
England will now take on a South African side on Saturday, October 21.
(With AFP inputs)
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