Great start for England in T20 World Cup 2022, defeating Afghanistan by 5 wickets

England have got off to a great start in the T20 World Cup. In the second match of Group 12, England defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets. Batting first, Afghanistan team scored 112 runs. England needed 113 runs to win. The match was played in Perth. However, England also had to lose 5 wickets in achieving this small target. England scored 113 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 18.1 overs. England bowler Sam Curran was adjudged the man of the match for today’s scintillating performance. Sam Curran took 5 wickets for 10 runs in the bowling of 3.4 overs.

 

For Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran and Usman Ghani scored 32 and 30 runs respectively. Rashid Khan also fell victim to Sam Karan. Chasing the target of 113 runs, England got off to a relatively good start. There was also a partnership of 35 runs between Alex Hales and Jos Buttler. Captain Jos Buttler was dismissed for 18 while Alex Hales was dismissed after scoring 19 runs. Apart from this, David Malan played an innings of 18 runs. Liam Livingston scored the highest 29 runs for England. He has scored this run in 21 balls with the help of three fours. One wicket went to Afghanistan’s star player Rashid Khan.

 

Earlier, after captain Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bowl, England took three brilliant catches apart from five wickets from left-arm medium bowling all-rounder Curran. Optus was expected to see a good fight with bat and ball on the lively pitch. But Afghanistan’s team could only score 35 runs in the powerplay after Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed in the second over. Gurbaz, who was declared fit for the opening match of the team’s Super 12, hit Chris Woakes for a fine-leg six but Mark Wood’s 146 kmph delivery ended his innings.