ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

As India Win A Thriller, Twitter Says ‘Kudos to Afghanistan’

India survived a mighty scare from winless Afghanistan to win a thrilling World Cup contest.

Published
Sports Buzz
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

India survived a mighty scare from winless Afghanistan to win a thrilling World Cup contest in the last over by 11 runs on Saturday, 22 June.

Unbeaten India was made to sweat the entire distance by the winless Afghans. Their incredible effort in a compelling, low-scoring match at the Rose Bowl almost earned them a first win over a still-stunned India.

Just four days after conceding 397 runs to England, Afghanistan restricted India to 224-8 and made a good fist of the chase until the last over.

Afghanistan needed 16 to win from the last six balls with three wickets in hand.

Mohammad Nabi hit a boundary off the first delivery by fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Nabi refused a single off the second delivery to keep the strike. On the third delivery, he was caught at long on to end a nerveless 55-ball 52-run knock, more than his previous five innings combined.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

But the drama wasn't over.

Shami's yorker took out Aftab Alam's leg stump, then his next yorker bowled Mujeeb Ur Rahman to end the match, and Shami became the second India bowler to take a World Cup hat-trick and the 10th overall.

Just as Bumrah says -- “Impossible is just an opinion”.

Former Indian cricketer and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter and called a Saturday’s match “the best”, adding that he “loved the spirit shown by Afghanistan”.

Actress and Co-owner of IPL team Kings XI Punjab congratulated Shami for his hat trick.

0

This is India's lowest first innings total batting all 50 overs since 2010.

Kohli struck his third consecutive fifty with a classy 67 off 63 balls, his innings laced with five fours, while Jadhav scored 52 off 68 deliveries (3x4, 1x6).

But a spirited Afghanistan, smarting from their heavy defeat to England in the last game, rode Nabi's 2/33 and wickets each for Rahman (1/26), Rashid Khan (1/38) and Rahmat Shah (1/22) to keep the run-flow in check throughout the innings.

Skipper Naib (2/51) took two wickets in the last over, removing Jadhav and Shami (1) to cap off a brilliant bowling display by the team which still finds itself at the foot of the points table, without a win, and battling off-field issues and in-fighting.

M.S. Dhoni laboured to 28 off 52 balls (3x4) bringing back memories of the days when he was questioned for his slow pace in the twilight of his career.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

(With inputs from AP)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from sports and sports-buzz

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×