Afghanistan have pulled off one of the Cricket World Cup's greatest-ever victories by defeating defending champions England by 69 runs in Delhi.
Having already succumbed to New Zealand at the beginning of the tournament, England can ill-afford many more slip-ups if they are to reach the semi-finals.
On paper, Afghanistan was the easiest of their remaining fixtures, yet the minnows of the competitions controlled the game with bat and ball, despite losing the toss, to post just their second triumph at the tournament in their history.
The tone was set at the start of the Afghanistan innings with 79 being put on during the opening 10 overs and a first-wicket stand of 114 taking just 16.4 overs.
England redeemed the situation, running out Rahmanullah Gurbaz after a superb 80 from 57 balls, to reduce their opponents to 122-3, but Afghanistan kept their run-rate above five runs per over.
Spin trio Adil Rashid (3-42), Liam Livingstone (1-33) and Joe Root (1-19) impressed during 24 overs between them, but England's pace bowlers were smashed around the park.
While Rashid Khan (23) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (28) made valuable knocks down the order, Ikram Alikhil (58) was the star, making 58 from 66 to help Afghanistan to 284 all out with one ball remaining.
BUTTLER GONE
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 15, 2023
Peach of a delivery from Naveen! 👌 pic.twitter.com/TDMngRvGH9
In their reply, England required a fast start, but losing Jonny Bairstow (2) and Root (11) inside seven overs left them on the back foot, before Dawid Malan gave his wicket away when well set on 32 from 39.
Jos Buttler and Livingstone contributed just nine and 10 respectively with England falling to 117-5 off 20.4 overs, and their hopes were effectively left riding on Harry Brook.
To his credit, he made 66 from 61 balls, keeping his side in within an outside chance, but the writing was on the wall when he was dismissed with the score on 169-8.
Rashid (20), Mark Wood (18) and Reece Topley (15*) made things more respectable at the bottom of the order, but Ur Rahman (3-51) and Rashid Khan (3-37) ensured that England were embarrassingly bowled out for 215 in just 40.3 overs.
