England Becomes the First Team to Get Defeated by 11 Different Teams in the World Cup

In a stunning upset, Afghanistan triumphed over the defending champions, England, in a thrilling ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match. Chasing a target of 285 runs set by Afghanistan, England found themselves bowled out for just 215 runs in 40.3 overs, sealing the biggest upset of the tournament thus far.

The English batting order struggled to hold ground, with only two notable performances by Harry Brook, who scored a respectable 66, and Dawid Malan, contributing 32. The rest of the English lineup couldn’t withstand Afghanistan’s determined bowling attack. Afghanistan’s bowlers Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman shone, picking up three wickets each, while Mohammad Nabi claimed two wickets. Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi added one wicket each to the tally.

England into record books for unwanted reason

England holds a unique distinction in the world of cricket as they have faced defeat against eleven different teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup. These teams include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. 

In this regard, England stands out prominently among the first eight full-member teams, having lost to the most varied opponents in the World Cup. Following England, West Indies have suffered defeat against ten different teams, South Africa against nine, and Australia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka each against eight different teams. New Zealand, among these elite cricketing nations, follows with seven different teams that have secured victories over them. This statistic highlights the World Cup’s unpredictable and competitive nature, where any team can emerge as a victor on a given day.

When Afghanistan batted earlier in the match, they posted a competitive total of 284 runs before getting all out. England won the toss and opted to bowl, putting Afghanistan to the test. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the star performer for Afghanistan, scoring a remarkable 80 off 57 balls before being run out. His opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, contributed a valuable 28 in a first-wicket partnership that yielded 114 runs in just 16 overs.

Replacing Najibullah Zadran in the playing XI, Ikram Alikhil seized the opportunity, notching up 58 runs off 66 balls. Star leg-spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman chipped in with 23 and 28 runs, respectively. England’s Adil Rashid showcased his skills, taking three crucial wickets for 42 runs, but Afghanistan’s strong performance ensured their historic victory over the defending champions, leaving cricket fans in awe of the tournament’s unpredictability.

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