ICC World Cup | Gurbaz, Alikhil lift Afghanistan to competitive total against mighty England

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: England vs Afghanistan match in Lucknow on October 15, 2023.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave early impetus while Ikram Alikhil provided the final flourish to guide Afghanistan to a competitive 284 allout against defending champions England in their World Cup match in Lucknow on October 15.

While opener Gurbaz gave the Afghans a flying start, scoring 80 off 57 balls, number 6 batter Alikhil made a solid 58 off 66 deliveries as Afghanistan recovered from a mid-innings collapse to post a good total on board.

Off-colour in the first two matches, Afghanistan openers — Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran (28) finally rose to the occasion, scoring the team's 50 in just 6.3 overs after being sent in to bat.

The Afghan openers meant business and played copy book cricketing shots to score their runs. The duo didn't take much risk and Gurbaz mainly ruled the roost, taking the attack to the English bowlers.

He played all around the park but his shots through the covers and flicks were a treat to watch. With Afghanistan scoring runs thick and fast, England skipper Jos Buttler introduced Adil Rashid (3/42) in the 11th over but Gurbaz was in a relentless mood as he swept the leg-spinner for a boundary to bring up his fifty in just 33 balls.

Gurbaz looked in ominous form as he dispatched Rashid over deep midwicket to bring up Afghanistan's 100 in just 76 deliveries.

England finally tasted their first success in the 17th over when an under-pressure Zadran (28 off 48) gave a simple catch to Joe Root at short mid wicket but not before stitching 114 for the opening wicket.