England rout Afghanistan by 9 wickets in WC clash

KABUL Cup match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia on Friday.

England cruised to the 101-runt target with 41 balls to spare after the rainy weather had reduced the Afghan innings to 111 for seven from 36.2 overs. The winners lost only one wicket.

The opening pair Ian Bell (unbeaten 52) and Alex Hales provided England an 83-run opening stand before the latter was bowled out for 37. James Taylor stayed not out at eight to see his side romping home in style.

Each side having won two matches during the mega event, both teams already stand ousted from contention.

Sent in to bat first, Afghanistan had slumped to 111 for seven in 36.2 overs. Shafiqullah Shafiq top-scored with 30 as English all-rounder Chris Jordan rocked Afghanistan’s top order.

For the debutants, Shafiq scored 30 off 64 balls, Mohammad Nabi 16 off 17 and Najibullah Zadran 12 not out off 15.

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