Afg script first WC fairytale, trounce reigning champs England by 69 runs

It seemed like the most apt of endings. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan cricket's greatest star, took the final England wicket to seal a 69-run win that will go down as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. As the leg-spinner threw up his arms and looked at the heavens, his teammates rushed to join him in a group embrace. This was their night; they knew it. So did England.

- Ashish Magotra

The Afghans have almost always put up a fight. But while that has earned them the respect of their opponents, it hasn't earned them wins changed on a balmy Sunday evening at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. October 15 will live on in their memories (and of those watching) for a long, long time.

In the first major upset of the 2023 World Cup, pre-tournament favourites England crashed to a stunning defeat dismissed for 215 - on a pitch that had no real devil, by a side that had lost 14 World Cup games on the trot.

The stars of the show were the Afghan spin trio of Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/51), Mohammad Nabi (2/16) and Rashid Khan (3/37) who teased and tormented the defending champions to help their side earn a famous win.