Highlights, England vs Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Full Cricket Score: Eoin Morgan's men clinch 150-run victory

Morgan, England captain: Next two or three games are crucial for us. We don’t want to slack off. Intensity can still be there. We spilled some catches and it can happen. You cannot fault the guys.

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib: Obviously how they played after 30 overs was very special. Credit goes to Morgan. It was one of the best innings I have ever seen. The pitch was different so we chose Mujeeb and he did really well. Unfortunately, Rashid didn’t deliver today. We did a lot of good things in the field but we dropped one chance of Morgan. We work hard in every department but we still have a lot of work to do. It was a big target. The message to the boys was to play their natural game and bat for 50 overs.

Eoin Morgan, Man of the Match for 71-ball 148

Morgan: Fantastic day for us. The wicket was very good. Afghanistan bowled well with both bat and ball at the start. Good day all around. Did not think I could produce an innings like that. It makes it more special when I compete with youngsters in the side. It was a special day. It started off as a tough game. With their spinners, it is a completely different challenge.

Largest wins for England by runs in ICC World Cups:

202 v India, Lord’s, 1975

196 v East Africa, Birmingham, 1975
 

150 v Afghanistan, Manchester, 2019*

Pitch invaders ahoy… Afghan fans happy with their team playing out 50 overs. Small victories for their cricket team, you wonder. Even so, England have done what they set out to do. Full points, healthier run-rate and sending out a message that they mean business, even without Jason Roy. Afghanistan play India next – that isn’t going to be easy either.

After 50 overs,Afghanistan 247/8 ( Ikram Ali Khil (W) 3 , Dawlat Zadran 0)

ENGLAND WIN BY 150 RUNS. They go to top of the points table.

Afghanistan batted all the overs, which is a moral victory for them. It was the day of batters as Morgan, Root, Bairstow had fun in the middle. Then Shahidi and Asghar gave a little to cheer to the Afghan fans in the middle. It was never a contest from the start, to be honest.

OUT! And Bairstow catches another one. He was waiting for it. Rashid heaved it blindly, top edge went to Bairstow at deep cover and he took it safely, turned to the crowd behind as they cheered for him. A smile on his face. He has dropped a couple of catches and taken a couple now. Rashid Khan c Bairstow b Jofra Archer 8(13)

After 49 overs,Afghanistan 246/7 ( Rashid Khan 8 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 3)

Mark Wood was very good today. Finishes with figures of 2/40. A round of applause for him as he takes his cap from umpire and walks to his fielding position. Last over to go.

FOUR! Rashid clears the front leg, smashes it to mid-off where a misfield means he will get four straight down the ground.

Adil Rashid becomes the first England leg-spinner to take three wickets in an ICC World Cup match.

The stand of 94 runs between Asghar Afghan and Hashmatullah Shahidi for the fourth wicket is now the highest for Afghanistan for any wicket in ICC ODI World Cup.

After 48 overs,Afghanistan 239/7 ( Rashid Khan 2 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 2)

Archer using variations to good effect. Bouncing out the batsman on one occasion and then using slower one to great effect. Rashid has been trying to get out but he is unlucky on that front. Seems like Afghanistan will play the full 50 overs.

After 47 overs,Afghanistan 235/7 ( Rashid Khan 0 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 1)

A single line of thought does not travel across the Afghanistan batting line-up for sure. Till Asghar came to bat, they were looking to play the full overs. Asghar and Shahidi began playing shots and then they continued to play risky shots and lost wickets. Rashid in 47th over, slogging blindly.

Afghanistan have lost four wickets for 36 runs in this last stage of the game. Only point of interest left now is if they can play out 50 overs, which they have been trying to do since the beginning of this innings. Three wickets. 21 balls (at the time of writing). Intriguing stuff, if one could say so.

OUT! Wood rattles the stumps. Najib slogs without watching the ball, made room and exposed the stumps, Wood saw the opportunity and castled the timber. Najibullah b Mark Wood 15(13)

After 46 overs,Afghanistan 234/6 ( Najibullah Zadran 15 , Rashid Khan 0)

Archer comes back on. And we see a knuckle ball from the new England pacer. Such a young age and he has so many deliveries up his sleeve. Shahidi smashes him for four on the fourth ball and then Archer returns to clean him up. Shahidi scored 76 off 100. The dream comes to an end for him. Now Afghanistan inching closer to the big loss.

OUT! Oh and the star of Afghan’s batting line-up today departs for 76. Tried to be cheeky against Archer, shuffled across and exposed his stumps, Archer hit the middle and leg stumps to dismiss him. 100 was not possible for the brave man. Shahidi b Jofra Archer 76(100)

FOUR! Afghan fans will cherish this. Shahid gets a fuller length delivey and he nails it straight down the ground for four runs.

After 45 overs,Afghanistan 227/5 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 71 , Najibullah Zadran 13)

Shahidi moves into 90s. And now this match is all about him and the potential 100 within his reach. Five off the over. Afghanistan need 171 runs in 30 balls. Shahidi needs 29 for his 100.

After 44 overs,Afghanistan 222/5 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 69 , Najibullah Zadran 10)

Now another way to get a little excited about this match is to see if Shahidi can get a hundred here. He is playing his shots. 36 balls remaining and he needs 31 runs. Would be a great day for him even if his team ends up as the losing side. Afghanistan need 176 runs in 36 balls

SIX! Shahidi is living his dream, short ball, he was expecting it and he pulled Woakes away for a big six over deep mid-wicket. 33rd of this match. 

After 43 overs,Afghanistan 212/5 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 67 , Najibullah Zadran 2)

Nabi has gone. He was just looking to hit every ball out of the park. The idea should have been to spend some time there and get some match practice. Najibullah Zadran joins Shahidi in the middle and he starts his innings with a reverse sweep. Next ball he tries it again bt misses it completely. England appeal for catch behind the stumps. Umpire turns it down. Morgan goes upstairs but decision is not overturned. Afghanistan need 186 runs in 42 balls.

OUT! That’s the end of Nabi. Flight from Rashid, conventional leg spin, Nabi swung the bat hard, could not connect and the ball went high up in the air, came down to Stokes at long on who took a good catch with a reverse cup. Nabi c Stokes b Adil Rashid 9(7)

After 42 overs,Afghanistan 208/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 66 , Mohammad Nabi 8)

Shahidi is somehow still there, managing to place the ball right in front of the fielders. This time it just bounced ahead of Wood at mid-off. Afghanistan need 190 runs in 48 balls.

After 41 overs,Afghanistan 204/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 64 , Mohammad Nabi 6)

Rashid has taken the second wicket and he is clearly the better Rashid today already. Afghan’s effort has been curtailed. He made 44 off 48. Nabi comes in to bat, starts off with a six. Afghanistan need 194 runs in 54 balls.

SIX! First ball faced by Nabi. He slog sweeps the first ball for a six over the deep mid-wicket boundary

OUT! That’s the end of Asghar Afghan. Perfect leg-spinner wicket. Ball turning away from Afghan fro middle-off stump line and takes the edge off the bat, goes to left of first slip where Root takes a safe catch. Asghar Afghan c Root b Adil Rashid 44(48)

After 40 overs,Afghanistan 196/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 63 , Asghar Afghan 43)

Woakes continues. Clearly, Morgan wants to try his best bowlers to get the wickets. Woakes tries a slower one upfront. Beat Shahidi all ends with that. Four short of 200 Afghanistan. The final powerplay will begin from next over. Afghanistan need 202 runs in 60 balls.

After 39 overs,Afghanistan 194/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 62 , Asghar Afghan 42)

Morgan may try Root here if his back is fine. He does not come with great reputation as a spinner and Afghanistan batters may try to go after them. Less pace means more power needed to play big shots. For now Afghan and Shahidi having no trouble. Afghanistan need 204 runs in 66 balls.

After 38 overs,Afghanistan 188/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 57 , Asghar Afghan 41)

Alright, so Morgan brings his another pacer into the attack, Chris Woakes. Afghan approaching a fine fifty as well. Afghanistan need 210. Just 3 off the over.

After 37 overs,Afghanistan 185/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 56 , Asghar Afghan 39)

Afghanistan continues to have fun. No other way to describe this stint by Shahidi and Asghar. Their effort is showing England that any better side than them can make a match out of it on this batting track, creating doubts about his team’s bowling in Morgan’s mind. Afghanistan need 213 runs in 78 balls.

FOUR! Terrific, Asghar sweeps and sweeps well, the ball races away to square leg boundary where Woakes attempts to stop it but the ball manages to touch the ropes.

Fifty for Shahidi and that’s been a gutsy knock. The cheer that reverberated around the ground at that celebration reminded me of the India-Pakistan game here on Sunday. More than that, it represents the fight in this Afghanistan team. For quite a while during the English innings, that fight seemed extinguished. He is fighting for his team now, albeit there is little chance of a miraculous chase here.

After 36 overs,Afghanistan 180/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 56 , Asghar Afghan 34)

Morgan and England’s frustration coming to the fore now. Morgan is still at short leg, Archer bowling bouncer, Shahidi clearing his front leg on one occasion to hit it to leg side. The ball was too high and was called wide. Archer bowled another one at Shahidi’s hips and he guided it for four, adding more to the frustration. Afghanistan need 218 runs in 84 balls.

FOUR! On the hips, the ball was rising but Shahidi used it to glance it down the leg side for four runs

After 35 overs,Afghanistan 172/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 52 , Asghar Afghan 31)

A stumping chance of Asghar, umpires goes up tairs. The camera shows Asghar softly punching Shahidi’s chest as the stumping is being checked as if he is telling Shahidi to keep doing what he is doing and not be perturbed. Shahidi completes a fifty. Second half-century in the tournament. Afghanistan need 226 runs in 90 balls.

FOUR! Fullish in length, Shahidi sweeps and sweeps well. Gets a boundary at square leg region and reaches a fifty. A WORLD CUP FIFTY.

After 34 overs,Afghanistan 160/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 45 , Asghar Afghan 29)

This might still not be any contest but we can sense battle of egos here. Morgan brings Archer back. Afghan still not holding back, heaves him away for four runs and then again attempts a pull shot. He is batting as if he is giving an answer for that short ball to Shahidi, his younger teammate. Afghanistan need 238 runs in 96 balls.

DROPPED! Jonny Bairstow has spilled another one. Top-edge off Asghar’s bat flies to fine leg, Bairstow comes running in, could have caught it but at the end moment the ball spilled out.

FOUR! Four more, boy o boy! Asghar, gets a short ball and he pulls it to deep mid-wicket boundary for four runs.

After 33 overs,Afghanistan 153/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 45 , Asghar Afghan 22)

Wait, what was told in that short injury break to Shahidi and Asghar or did the batsmen took the blow on the helmet seriously and on their egos because since then they have been just hitting sixes and fours. Wow. Afghanistan showing their spirit. Afghanistan need 245 runs. 150 up for them.

SIX! Here comes one more, Shahidi dances out this time and hammers one over the long off region for a six

SIX! Bring it on, says Afghanistan. Flight from Rashid, Asghar, the veteran, dances out and hits it over cow corner for a maximum.

After 32 overs,Afghanistan 140/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 39 , Asghar Afghan 15)

Alright, there is drama out in the middle suddenly. Mind games now from Morgan as Wood continues, Morgan has placed himself at short leg with helmet on. Wood tries to bounce him out but Shahidi shows courage and flicks the rising ball off his hips for four runs. Penultimate ball against banged short and Shahidi heaved, the top-edg went for a six. He dealt the attack from England aggressively. Afghanistan need 258 runs.

SIX! And now Shahidi goes down town. Bouncer again and Shahidi heaves it to leg side for a maximum

FOUR! Wood runs in, aims rib cage of Shahidi, could get it rise up to the hip only, and Shahidi flicked it off his hip for four runs to fine leg.

After 31 overs,Afghanistan 126/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 26 , Asghar Afghan 14)

Rashid continues. Shahidi won’t mind facing a spinner after what happened in the last over. He has batted well so far and Afghanistan need him to carry on. If they play out all the overs, it will be a some sort of victory for the new entrants. Afghanistan need 272 runs.

Well, well, he continues. This is a surprise. Change of helmets and on we go. I thought the MCC had brought stringent rulings against concussion. Or, maybe he passed the test. Still surprising and more so that Wood dug in another short one first up. Intense!

Scary moment there. Hashmatullah Shahidi hit on the back of head by a Mark Wood bouncer. Took his eyes off the ball and it rammed straight into him. Not much he could have done there. Lots of concern but it’s good to see him back on the feet. He could go off for concussion. Checks are pretty stringent now. Hashim Amla had to go off, albeit he came back to bat which was a questionable decision. There is no way Shahidi is continuing here. I will be surprised if he does.

After 30 overs,Afghanistan 125/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 25 , Asghar Afghan 14)

Wood almost knocked out Shahidi with that bouncer. The impact was so hard that English players were a little worried as well. Shahidi took his time and then rose to check his helmet, got medical attention and the team physio cleared him to bat. He took the stance again and Wood bowled another short ball. Evaded well by Shahidi. Afghanistan need 273 runs.

Shahidi is down on ground. Wood’s nasty bouncer hit him right on the back of the head. Helmet was there but the impact was so hard that it would have hurt him. 1 minute later, he rises up and crowd applauds.

After 29 overs,Afghanistan 122/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 23 , Asghar Afghan 13)

Asghar goes big over the long on region and then collects a four in the leg side. He is looking to score runs quickly now. Must be to just keep the Afghan fans alive and kicking. Afghanistan need 276 runs.

FOUR! How to describe this shot, on the legs and Asghar paddled-pulled it for four to fine leg. Just make out what you can make out.

SIX! Lovely swing of the bat from Asghar and he clears the long on region by some distance, a six after a very long time

After 28 overs,Afghanistan 110/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 22 , Asghar Afghan 2)

Shahidi is looking good on back foot. Wood has been bowling back of the length at him. Can try and pitch it full, with two slips in. He likes to have a swing. Just 2 off the over. Afghanistan need 288 runs.

After 27 overs,Afghanistan 108/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 21 , Asghar Afghan 1)

Better second over from Rashid. Bowling some lovely leg spinners. He is getting a great match practice here. 3 off the over. Afghanistan need 290 runs

After 26 overs,Afghanistan 105/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 19 , Asghar Afghan 0)

Right then, a wicket falls. Gates again open. Morgan throws the ball to Wood. Asghar is an experienced campaigner and expect him to stay put there for long. 24 more overs in this innings and frankly, this is what Afghanistan have targeted now. To play till the 50th. Afghanistan need 293 runs.

Fun passage of play. Fully clothed pitch invader running 3 between the wickets before being escorted off. Afghanistan cross 100 and then Rahmat Shah holes out off a full toss. Halfway through the Afghan innings and it is now starting to look like a warm-up game for England. Afghanistan seem intent on not getting bowled out. Let’s see if that works.

After 25 overs,Afghanistan 104/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 18 , Asghar Afghan 0)

Adil Rashid, right-arm leg break, is into the attack. And he has got a wicket as well. Not bad. Everyone has been bowling well and catches have been dropped off good deliveries. Rashid bowls a bad ball and gets a wicket. Cricket, in a nutshell, for you. Asghar Afghan comes out to bat.

OUT! This is unbelievable but hey, this is also cricket, right. All the good deliveries from Rashid played well by Rahmat. He gets a gift, a full-toss and he hits it straight to Bairstow at cow corner region. He falls four short of a fifty. Rahmat c Bairstow b Adil Rashid 46(74)

After 24 overs,Afghanistan 102/2 ( Rahmat Shah 45 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 17)

Stokes continues from Brian Statham end. To go a little off topic, Brian Statham was cricketer from Manchester, and played for Lancashire from 1950 to 1968. He played for England from 1951 to 1965. Played 70 Tests and took 252 wickets. Did not play a single ODI. However, he would have loved to see this English team doing so well in the 50-over format. Coming back to the match, 50-run stand up between Shahidi and Rahmat. Two off the over.

After 23 overs,Afghanistan 100/2 ( Rahmat Shah 44 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 16)

And Moeen continues. 100 comes up for Afghanistan in the 23rd over. Afghanistan fans clap, not in huge excitement though. Some wave the country’s flags. Just 2 off the over. England being made to work hard for the two points. Required run-rate is over 11 now.

After 22 overs,Afghanistan 98/2 ( Rahmat Shah 42 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 16)

Stokes bowling well. Not giving the batters any freebies. 22 overs have been bowled in the run chase, says Ian Ward on air. Clearly that is an obvious but can’t blame him, there is nothing really happening in the game. Afghanistan playing to draw this game but that result is not possible.

After 21 overs,Afghanistan 94/2 ( Rahmat Shah 40 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 14)

Moeen completes his sixth over on the trot. We have not seen Rashid yet. Maybe he will replace Moeen now. Has been slightly on expensive side Moeen. 8 came in the over, including a boundary.

FOUR! Down the leg stump line from Moeen, Rahmat uses soft hands and guides it to the fine leg for four runs

After 20 overs,Afghanistan 86/2 ( Rahmat Shah 34 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 12)

Stokes continues. Afghanistan continue to fight it out. They are almost playing to bat all the 50 overs. That seems to be the target. Just 3 off the over.

After 19 overs,Afghanistan 83/2 ( Rahmat Shah 32 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 11)

Moeen continues and an edge goes for four. Nasser Hussain makes a remark immediately on Morgan not placing a first slip yet for Rahmat. We see first slip for left-handed Shahidi though as Moeen bowls from round the wicket to him. Five off the over.

Looking like a bowling work out for England thus far. They haven’t had to go full press with the ball, even as Afghanistan have looked to throw their bat around. Skipper Naib achieved that very well but Afghanistan need to make a stand here. They need to show some stomach for a fight after that hapless bowling performance. There might be some rain coming soon.

FOUR! Moeen Ali flights the ball, little short, drifting in to Rahmat, who played a dab on off side but the ball took the edge and raced away for four to third man

After 18 overs,Afghanistan 78/2 ( Rahmat Shah 27 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 11)

Drinks break done and we see Ben Stokes for the first time with the ball in hand. Rahmat looking better now with every ball. He looks set. Shahidi still poking at the delivery going away for him. Three from Stokes’ first over.

After 17 overs,Afghanistan 75/2 ( Rahmat Shah 26 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 9)

Afghanistan batting well again. Rahmat hit a six in the last over. Ali did not see that coming. 9 off the over as the player go for drinks. Not long till we see Adil Rashid into the attack. Let’s see how the other Rashid fares today.

SIX! THAT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE REALLY! Rahmat saw the flight off Moeen, danced down the track and cleared the long-off region easily.

Afghanistan’s highest total in ODIs is 338 (v Ireland, Greater Noida, 2017) while England’s biggest winning margin in terms of runs in ODIs is 242 (v Australia, Nottingham, 2018).

After 16 overs,Afghanistan 66/2 ( Rahmat Shah 18 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 8)

Wood racing in and bowling fast. Morgan has placed what looks like a wide second slip for the left-handed batsman. The pace on the ball is such that it is flying wider of the second slip or through the third slip. Morgan wants to wrap this up soon clearly.

After 15 overs,Afghanistan 66/2 ( Rahmat Shah 18 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 8)

Bit of mix-up between the two batsmen but Buttler threw it to the wrong end, hence no worries for Afghanistan. After such a bad day, the last thing they would want is a run-out. Need to keep batting and batting, get some experience under their belt of batting in England against the best. That should be their target. To score 332 more in 210 balls looks impossible now for them.

After 14 overs,Afghanistan 62/2 ( Rahmat Shah 16 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 6)

Watching Wood bowl feels like hard work itself. He runs in with left arm lowered down, uses it just before the delivery stride and generates hell lot of speed. Not to forget he takes a short run-up. The speed he gets off the pitch makes all the difference and on days when it is moving in air, he becomes unplayable. 5 runs off the over.

FOUR! Not too convincing from Shahidi but he will take it, edge off the bat and it flies past the fourth slip for a boundary to third man.

After 13 overs,Afghanistan 57/2 ( Rahmat Shah 16 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 2)

Ali continues. A quiet over from him. Just 4 off the over. Afghanistan now need to build another partnership. Shahidi and Rahmat need to stay there for long and prolong England’s job with the ball.

After 12 overs,Afghanistan 53/2 ( Rahmat Shah 14 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 0)

Another bowling change. Mark Wood, right-arm fast, is into the attack now from the other end, bowling in tandem with Ali. He is building up the speed Wood as expected. Was working on his bouncer and then bowled the successful one, removing in-form Naib for 37. Hashmatullah Shahidi joins Rahmat in the middle.

OUT! JOS BUTTLER, you beauty! Wood bounces out Naib, ball rising from back of the length at 147 kph, the Afghanistan captain could not control the pull, ended up top-edging it to short fine leg, Buttler covered the distance from the keeper’s position to short fine leg and dived to take a stunning catch. Second wicket for England. Naib c Buttler b Mark Wood 37(28)

After 11 overs,Afghanistan 51/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 37 , Rahmat Shah 12)

First sight of spin as Moeen Ali, right-arm off break, into the attack now. Afghanistan reach fifty in the 11th over of the innings. Naib going strong for them. Rahmat gaining confidence. Yes, Afghanistan may not be able to chase it down but they are not willing to just give an easy win to England. 3 runs off the over.

After 10 overs,Afghanistan 48/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 36 , Rahmat Shah 10)

Archer comes racing in, spitting fire with the ball. Trying to bounce out the batters. Just 4 off the over. This is a good start by Afghanistan, when not considering the fact that they are chasing 398. End of first powerplay. Afghanistan 48/1.

After 9 overs,Afghanistan 44/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 35 , Rahmat Shah 7)

Good over for Afghanistan. Two fours in the over. Woakes seems to be bowling too short now. Good recovery by Afghanistan. They are still not moving briskly in the chase but had made sure that no further wickets fell after the first one.

FOUR! Short and wide from Woakes, Naib spots it early and swings his bat on the off side to hit to deep point region for a four

FOUR! Short ball from Woakes and it did not bounce too much, coming in to Naib at just perfect height for him to roll his wrist and fetch a four at deep backward square leg.

After 8 overs,Afghanistan 35/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 26 , Rahmat Shah 7)

Archer continues with a leg slip in place for Naib, who likes to walk towards the off stump and play a half-heave which usually either goes to fine leg ot mid-wicket. Archer continues to bowl back of the length. Good over for him. Just 1 off it.

After 7 overs,Afghanistan 34/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 25 , Rahmat Shah 7)

Woakes continues. The replays showed that he has been unlucky in this short while. One catch dropped and a few ball passed the edge. Naib and Rahmat fighting it out in the middle.

After 6 overs,Afghanistan 28/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 21 , Rahmat Shah 6)

Naib has decided that he is not going to just play around. He is hitting some lusty blows. Two fours and one six. This would not help Afghanistan’s cause in the chase but can definitely cheer up the Afghan fans who had a bad outing today in the stands.

FOUR! WOW, fuller in length and Naib does not want to hold back, he smashes it over the mid-off fielder for a boundary

SIX! Same length, Naib clears his front leg and heaves again, this time connects better and clears long on by some distance

FOUR! 130 kph from Archer and Naib heaves it to the on side region for a boundary. Great and brave shot

After 5 overs,Afghanistan 13/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 6 , Rahmat Shah 6)

Woakes continues and he almost had his first wicket of the day but Bairstow had other ideas. He has dropped a dolly at first slip. Root tried to collect it in second attempt but to no avail. Naib is back on his feet as well.

DROPPED! That was a dolly to Bairstow, who spills it. Nice edge off the bat, straight to first slip, where we don’t think Bairstow was ready for it. Reprieve for Rahmat.

FOUR! Lovely shot, outside the off stump line, Rahmat waits for the ball, and then hits it between the point and cover fielder for a boundary

Alright, one more man down. Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib is getting treatment. Legs are stiff it seems. The issue is still not clear.

After 4 overs,Afghanistan 9/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 6 , Rahmat Shah 2)

Archer continues. He has bowles more shorter stuff this over. Looking for the top edge and the eventual catch. The yorker may come anytime soon as well. How long can Afghanistan fight here, remains the big question.

After 3 overs,Afghanistan 6/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 4 , Rahmat Shah 1)

The broadcaster is showing that in between the overs, Joe Root was in some discomfort and it seems to be the back pain. Not a good sign. You wonder if he is in some pain then why he is on the field. This match is a mere formality and it is better he gets treatment for whatever issue he has.  Meanwhile Woakes ends another good over. Just 2 off it.

After 2 overs,Afghanistan 4/1 ( Gulbadin Naib (C) 3 , Rahmat Shah 0)

Archer runs in fast, gets hit for almost a boundary by Naib straight down the ground and then on the next delivery he vents out his anger by removing Noor Ali for a duck. Great start for England.

OUT! JOFRA Archer is up and running, good length, coming in to Noor Ali, he swings the bat, bottom edge and he chops it on to the stump. First wicket gone. Afghanistan’s misery continues. Noor Ali b Jofra Archer 0(7)

After 1 over, Afghanistan 1/0 ( Noor Ali Zadran 0 , Gulbadin Naib (C) 0)

Chris Woakes, right arm pace, bowls the first over and on the second ball itself cuts Noor Ali into two halves. Lovely inswinger. Just 1 off the over. Chasing 398, this is not a good start by any standards.

Welcome to the chase.
Chris Woakes begins proceedings for England. Noor Ali Zadran and Gulbadin Naib open innings for Afghanistan.

Nasser Hussain takes it sportingly 

😂😂😂and he did it with a bad back !! https://t.co/5B1afyPyv2

— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) June 18, 2019

Highest partnerships for England in ODI WCs:

189 – J Root/E Morgan v Afg, Manchester, 2019*
176 – D Amiss/K Fletcher v Ind, Lord’s, 1975 
172 – M Ali/I Bell v Scotland, Christchurch, 201

Most sixes by a team in an ODI innings:

25 – Eng v Afg, Manchester, 2019*
24 – Eng v WI, Grenada, 2019
23 – WI v Eng, Bridgetown, 2019

Highest totals for England in ODI WC:

397/6 v Afg, Manchester, 2019*
386/6 v Ban, Cardiff, 2019
338/8 v Ind, Bangalore, 2011

198 runs off the last 15 overs. Finish just three short of 400 after their slowest first powerplay in this tournament. Imagine if they had Jason Roy. England have sent out a message… this is the most fearsome batting line up in this World Cup and don’t you forget it. Afghanistan to chase 398, which is nearly impossible.

After 50 overs,England 397/6 ( Moeen Ali 31 , Chris Woakes 1)

England stroke 397/6 at the end of 50 overs. This is England’s highest score in World Cup. This match is done and dusted to be honest. Morgan came in and changed the game on its head. England had the start and all he needed was to start hitting from the word go, he did that. Moeen Ali finished it well. Bairstow, Root played good knocks. Against Archer and Co, this Afghanistan batting line-up don’t stand a chance. We will meet after 30 minutes to see how they fare.

SIX! Oh my word! another loose delivery, on the legs of Moeen Ali, who smacks it over cow corner region for another maximum

SIX! WHACKED AGAIN! Short of length, Moeen clears front leg, stays still and smokes it over the mid-wicket region for a huge one

Most runs conceded in an ODI match:

113 – Mick Lewis v SA, Johannesburg, 2006

110 – Wahab Riaz v Eng, Nottingham, 2016

110 – Rashid Khan v Eng, Manchester, 2019*

Highest individual scores for England in an ODI WC innings:

158 – Andrew Strauss v India, Bangalore, 2011

153 – Jason Roy v Bangladesh, Cardiff, 2019

148 – Eoin Morgan v Afghanistan, Manchester, 2019*

FOUR! Zadran bounces out Moeen, gets the top edge but the ball races away for four behind the stumps

OUT! Yorker by Zadran, right on the base of the leg stump, as Stokes shuffled to the off stump region, coming into a position to whack the ball over mid-wicket, failed to connect but the ball hit the timber. Stokes goes for 2 off 6. Stokes b Dawlat Zadran 2(6)

After 49 overs,England 378/5 ( Ben Stokes 2 , Moeen Ali 14)

Rashid’s day comes to an end with the ball in hand. He has given away 110 runs in 9 overs without a wicket. That’s worst figures for a spinner in World Cup. 14 off the over.

SIX! Now one more, Rashid ends the day with a six, Moeen smokes him over the long on region for a maximum

SIX! Rashid comes into the attack and he has whipped away for another six. Moeen smokes it over long off region for a maximum. Rashid has now given over 100 runs in the match.

After 48 overs,England 364/5 ( Ben Stokes 1 , Moeen Ali 1)

An over Afghanistan may cherish for a long time. A wicket and no sixes or fours. In fact, just 5 off the over, that’s one less than what Morgan was managing almost every two balls for some time now.

This was a massacre!

148 - Eoin Morgan's 148 v Afghanistan is his highest ever ODI innings score. Wheel. #ENGvAFG #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/0kDFRxuv2u

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) June 18, 2019

OUT! Wickets continue to fall, another slower one coming handy for Afghanistan. Buttler could not spot it, he was looking to go after the bowler, attempted a pull but ended up giving a easy catch to the mid-off fielder. Buttler c Mohammad Nabi b Dawlat Zadran (2)

17 sixes. Who knew Eoin Morgan could surpass hitters like Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers. 87 runs in the last five overs. What a miserable day for Afghanistan. But what a knock from the English skipper. Such clean hitting. Marvellous to watch even in an ultra one-sided contest.

Most sixes in an ODI innings:

17 – Eoin Morgan v Afghanistan. Manchester, 2019*

16 – Rohit Sharma v Australia, Bangalore, 2013

16 – AB de Villiers v WI, Johannesburg, 2015

16 – Chris Gayle v Zimbabwe, Canberra, 2015

Fastest tons in ODI World Cups:

50 – Kevin O’Brien v England, Bengaluru, 2011

51 – Glenn Maxwell v SL, SCG, 2015

52 – AB de Villiers v WI, SCG, 2015

57 – EOIN MORGAN v Afghanistan, Manchester, 2019*

66 – Matthew Hayden v SA, St Kitts, 2007

67 – John Davison v WI, Centurion, 2003

After 47 overs,England 359/4 ( Jos Buttler (W) 0 , )

Two wickets in same over for Afghanistan but they are not celebrating. The job has been done by Morgan who went back fort 148 made off just 71 balls. What an innings. Stokes and Buttler in the middle now.

OUT! That’s it. Morgan breaks the record for most number of sixes in the format and departs. Slower one again from Naib and Morgan went after him, but ended up hitting it directly to the long-off fielder. Morgan c Rahmat b Naib 148(71)

SIX! That’s another Morgan six. That’s a record. Most number of sixes in an ODI innings. 17. He cleared the straight boundary easily.

OUT! We had almost forgotten that wicket also falls in a cricket match. The slower one from Naib got better of Root, who could not bring power into his shot and hit is right in the hands of fielder at long-on. He has gone for 88. Root c Rahmat b Naib 88(82)

SIX! One more, woooohoooo, what a knock this, short in length slightly, Morgan waits and dispatches it over long on for a six.

SIX! Naib comes in to bowl, the ball goes sailing over him for a six. Fuller in length and he smoked it for a maximum

After 46 overs,England 340/2 ( Joe Root 88 , Eoin Morgan (C) 129)

The story is same. Afghanistan continue to bowl badly and England continue to hit big. Zadran been hit for a six and four. Afghanistan making 400 look a possibility now.

FOUR! And now short and wide, Morgan heaves it to the off side region, through to covers for a boundary

SIX! Half-volley from Zadran, Morgan smashes it with straight bat to the long-off boundary for a flat six

FOUR! Smashes, full-toss from Zadran and Root makes room and smokes this over extra cover for another boundary

After 45 overs,England 323/2 ( Joe Root 83 , Eoin Morgan (C) 118)

Rashid continues and keeps on giving the easy deliveries. He has been hit for three sixes again in the over. He is just 4 away from completing his own 100. Has given away 96 in 8 overs. 5 more overs to go.

It's been a devastating display of hitting from Morgan. The bulk of his twelve sixes have come over midwicket, with four coming down the ground. #CWC19 #EngvAfg pic.twitter.com/uqbTVs1sI8

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 18, 2019

SIX! And the third of the over, bowled outside the off stump line, Morgan reaches for it and hits it over the long-on region for another maximum

SIX! One more, these keep coming, keep coming,  as Morgan slog sweeps and clears the square leg boundary easily

SIX! Rashid comes into the attack, flights it well, Root comes down the track and hits him over cow corner region for a maximum.

Only one batsman (Chris Gayle at the 2015 World Cup) has hit more sixes in a World Cup innings than the 11 that Eoin Morgan has hit today. #CWC19

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 18, 2019

After 44 overs,England 302/2 ( Joe Root 76 , Eoin Morgan (C) 104)

300 up for England in the 44th over. Root hits one four and after that struggles to connect. Thanks to that, Afghanistan finally manage to give away just one boundary in the over.

11 sixes. Clean hits as whistles from Morgan. And a hundred off 57 balls. He has toyed with Afghanistan bowling who just simply aren’t at the race today. Not sure if it would have made a difference. Joe Root trying hard to match Morgan, but he is a limited batsman. Ah, he has just played a paddle sweep…

FOUR! Root tries to play with the bowlers now, shuffles across and plays the scoop, tries to replicate Buttler’s shot, fetches four behind the stumps.

After 43 overs,England 293/2 ( Joe Root 70 , Eoin Morgan (C) 101)

HUNDRED for England captain and what a knock already this is from him. A World Cup hundred. Back spasm is a thing of past. He is hitting sixes and fours and has made Root look a guest at the crease. We better say less about Afghanistan’s bowling today.

SIX! Flatter again and Morgan goes big over long on region, one more six and the England captain bring up his HUNDRED.

SIX! Flatter trajectory from Rashid, quicker as well but Morgan was up and ready for it, rocked back and heaved it for a six in the leg side.

SIX! Morgan sees it early, the flight, and pitches in his arc, Morgan smokes it over long on for a HUGE six. Phew, what a sight.

After 42 overs,England 272/2 ( Joe Root 69 , Eoin Morgan (C) 81)

Mujeeb has to end his overs as there is no back up for him and that has been Afghanistan’s plan in this match. He has done well though but was not at his best. 44 in his 10 without any wicket. The ‘without any wicket’ is the part why this was not a great bowling effort despite being economical than others. He was not too attacking and it seemed someone had chained him from bowling creatively.

After 41 overs,England 269/2 ( Joe Root 67 , Eoin Morgan (C) 80)

Morgan going berserk now. He is hitting everyone out of the park and one has to admit that Afghanistan bowlers are helping him a lot, bowling in his arc or bowling shorter. Buttler to come next. Wait for it.

SIX! And Morgan goes big over the deep md-wicket, short from Nabi and it was easy for the left-handed batsman to hit this one

Eoin Morgan has hit 182 ODI sixes for England, more than any other English batsman in history. Jos Buttler is in second, with 123, but the man in third (Andrew Flintoff) hit 92 - just over half what Morgan has managed. #CWC19

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 18, 2019

SIX! Typical Morgan, flight from Nabi, Morgan dances down the track and smackes it over the bowler’s head for a huge six down the ground

England’s No.2, No.3 and No.4 batsmen scoring fifty-plus runs in the same World Cup match:

v Ireland, Bangalore, 2011

v Afghanistan, Manchester, 2019*

After 40 overs,England 255/2 ( Joe Root 66 , Eoin Morgan (C) 67)

Mujeeb continues and he has been targetted here by Morgan. He first slog sweeped him for a maximum and then swept for four to the leg side. 250 up for England. Is 400 possible here?

FOUR! And this one fullish in length, Morgan covers the off stump and sweeps it for a four

SIX! Yet again a freebie, half-volley given to Morgan by Mujeeb and he slow sweeps him over cow corner for a huge six

54 off 36 balls for Morgan. With 5 sixes in there. He will quickly overtake Root. The acceleration point has arrived. The Old Trafford crowd might need umbrellas for a different reason today.

After 39 overs,England 241/2 ( Joe Root 65 , Eoin Morgan (C) 56)

Nabi replaces Zadran from this end. Morgan goes big straightaway and fetches six runs in the leg side to bring up his fifty. This has come in a quick time and just when England needed to accelerate.

SIX! A big one from Morgan, over the deep mid-wicket region for a maximum and he also reaches his fifty.

After 38 overs,England 232/2 ( Joe Root 64 , Eoin Morgan (C) 48)

Mujeeb is back on for his final stint possibly. This is also a chance for Afghanistan to pick a wicket as England will go after the bowler as the slog overs approach. This has been quite a decent over from the leggie. Just 4 off it.

After 37 overs,England 228/2 ( Joe Root 63 , Eoin Morgan (C) 45)

Zadran continues after the drinks break. Inconsistency has been a second nature for him. Bowls a good ball, but then goes wayward on next few deliveries. Just one genuine pacer in the game for Afghanistan and he has failed to extract the bounce. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Short and wide, airborne Joe Root paces it beautifully over the backward point region for a boundary

200 up for England and Morgan takes a liking to Rashid in that over. All bets are off going forward now. And… my word, Afghanistan have been astonishingly poor in the field today. Like, wow. They have chosen a bad day for it too as English apathy over lesser teams is clear from the low attendance today.

After 36 overs,England 217/2 ( Joe Root 53 , Eoin Morgan (C) 44)

And Afghanistan continue to field badly. Catch dropped and then a six. Rashid Khan either fuller in length or shorter. The odd chances coming in the way are shelved. Poor cricket from Afghans.

SIX! Short from Rashid and Morgan goes on back foot, heaves it over backward square leg boundary for a six

FOUR! This is worst fielding effort in this World Cup. Rashid flights, Morgan slow sweeps, ball takes the top edge and flies to Zadran at deep mid-wicket, who came ahead too much and then went back, trying to catch the ball with one hand. The ball bounced just before the ropes and crossed.

After 35 overs,England 199/2 ( Joe Root 53 , Eoin Morgan (C) 26)

A little pause in the game as Morgan opts for a bat change. Root meanwhile stretches his back again. Dawlat returned to the attack earlier. Produced an edge off Morgan’s bat but it was a slower and reached the keeper on one bounce. Just 3 off the over.

Fifty for Root and he is on track for another hundred, I should say. This Afghanistan attack isn’t really troubling him or anyone for that matter, maybe apart from a rusty James Vince. Morgan meanwhile has come and started smashing things. Run-rate has picked up to 5.7/over. Expect it to fly some more in the next 15 overs.

After 34 overs,England 196/2 ( Joe Root 51 , Eoin Morgan (C) 25)

Rashid back on and he was agitated by the performance of a fielder in the deep, who took ages to send the throw back to the keeper as batsmen converted ones into twos. Fielding has been Afghanistan’s achilles heel today.

After 33 overs,England 189/2 ( Joe Root 50 , Eoin Morgan (C) 19)

Root takes a single on the first ball and completes the fifty. Before raising the bat, he stretched his body, seems to have some problem in the back. This may send jitters down the spine of Morgan, batting at the other end

FOUR! Now Morgan hits the reverse-sweep way, does that well, fetches four runs at third man region

After 32 overs,England 183/2 ( Joe Root 49 , Eoin Morgan (C) 14)

Morgan comes and starts hitting. It was expected that Buttler may come with 20 overs to go in the innings and England looking to be on the go. But Morgan has taken upon the responsibility of doing the same himself. Two sixes in the over justifies that.

SIX! And one more, Morgan comes down the track and repeat the result, hit it straight down the ground but the ball hung up in the air, came down just inches outside the ground.

SIX! Was a free hit, Naib pitched it short and slow, Morgan waited and hammered it over the deep mid-wicket boundary for a maximum

England batsmen to be dismissed in nervous 90s in ODI WCs:

Graham Gooch v WI, Jaipur, 1987

Robin Smith v India, Perth, 1992

Paul Collingwood v Ireland, Providence, 2007,

Jonathan Trott v Ireland, Bangalore, 2011, 

Jonny Bairstow v Afghanistan, Manchester, 2019*

After 31 overs,England 168/2 ( Joe Root 48 , Eoin Morgan (C) 1)

Wicket falls and Naib brings Nabi back. Good captaincy, he needs to give the confidence back to the off-spinner and this is a good time to do that. Morgan is coming out of a back spasm and Nabi is bowling outside the off stump line, making him stretch. The ploy should be to bowl as much to Morgan as possible and not give enough strike to Root, forcing him to eventually breaking the shackles.

Superb reflexes from Gulbadin Naib to take a quick return catch and dismiss Bairstow for 90. Big guns on display from the Afghan skipper as well. Bairstow perhaps checked his shot a little and was beaten for pace, hence the return catch. It will be disappointed on missing out an easy hundred. His face said so. Eoin Morgan at the crease – expect him to pick up the run-rate very easily.

Meanwhile, it is sort of weird to see an England game not sold out. I am told 1000 tickets were still available yesterday. Would this be the case if this World Cup was being played in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh? Even South Africa? A home game not sold out? It goes to show that this World Cup has not really caught the imagination of the English crowd just yet. So much so, one guy on the tram this morning told me that he did not know who won the India-Pakistan game on Sunday. Unreal!

After 30 overs,England 164/2 ( Joe Root 45 , Eoin Morgan (C) 0)

Naib has removed Bairstow. Bairstow seems to have a unique way of getting out. Was playing well, timing the ball so well. And then he just loses focus out of the blue, gives away the wicket. The slower ball did the trick, came at low speed after pitching and stopped as well it seemed. Him and Mujeeb have been two best bowlers for Afghanistan so far, bowling dots and not letting the scoreboard tick briskly.

OUT! Wait, this is a bizarre dismissal for Bairstow. Three consecutive dots and then came this delivery, which sort of stopped after pitching but he continued with the shot, presenting the full face of the bat and hit it directly to Naib who grabbed it perfectly in his follow through. He is gone for 90. Bairstow c and b Naib 90(99)

England’s second-wicket stands in this WC:

106, 48, 77, 104, 116* (today – and counting)

After 29 overs,England 163/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 90 , Joe Root 44)

Mujeeb comes back on. And the runs have stopped to come in boundaries and sixes. 5 off the over. Bairstow moves into 90s and this is a great opportunity to score a 100.

After 28 overs,England 158/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 87 , Joe Root 42)

Naib brings himself back into the attack and rightly so. Rashid has bowled just 4 for 29 runs and is looking out of touch. Just 3 off the over. Wickets are hard to come by but Afghanistan need to stop the flow of runs at least.

After 27 overs,England 155/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 86 , Joe Root 40)

Bairstow slaps one six in the over, to increase the problems for Afghanistan. Their both star spinners not getting some treatment from the two English batters.

SIX! Nabi comes round the wicket, Bairstow dances down the wicket and slaps it over the umpire for a six

100 partnership between Bairstow and Root. Bairstow looks like he has found a way to hit out. Afghanistan have bowled within themselves, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have bowled well. England’s run-rate should shoot up from here. They ought to be targeting 350.

After 26 overs,England 145/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 79 , Joe Root 38)

Rashid has been dealt very well. He is bowling too full and is getting hit. Who does Naib turn to now for wicket? 6 off the over.

FOUR! Fullish in length and around the off stump, Bairstow hits it on the half-volley for four runs to deep extra cover.

After 25 overs,England 139/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 74 , Joe Root 37)

Bairstow is now looking to up the ante. Scoring runs thick and fast. He was looking a little hesistant against spinners at the start. Currently, two of Afghanistan’s best spinners bowling and he seems to have forgotten he was nervous against them a while back.

FOUR! Another boundary for Bairstow, short in length, he rocks back and pulls it away for four to square leg boundary.

After 24 overs,England 132/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 69 , Joe Root 35)

Rashid has been given good treatment by Bairstow for bowling too full. A six and a boundary. He is looking to bowler quicker in pace and surprise the batsman but the plan is not working. 14 off the over.

SIX! Another ball to Bairstow and a half-volley, in his arc, poor bowling by Rashid, who hits it over the cow corner region for a maximum.

SIX! Another ball to Bairstow and a half-volley, in his arc, poor bowling by Rashid, who hits it over the cow corner region for a maximum.

FOUR! Fuller from Rashid Khan and this has been whipped for four. Bairstow sits and hits it hard to cow corner for four runs

After 23 overs,England 118/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 56 , Joe Root 34)

And Nabi is back on. His job would be to bowl some dry overs for put England under pressure, making them do the extra bit to score runs. Need better field placements as well. Naib needs to bring some fielders inside the circle and stop the easy singles.

After 22 overs,England 112/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 54 , Joe Root 30)

Naib continues and he is bowling well Has been attacking the stumps and is generating good speed as well. But wickets are hard to come by. Maybe they need to bring Nabi back and see if he could weave some magic.

Joe Root has scored 40-plus runs in six out of his last eight ODI innings, including two centuries.

After 21 overs,England 109/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 52 , Joe Root 29)

Rashid continues and completes the over in a jiffy. Just 3 off the over. Bairstow and Root look comfortable against him. No threats whatsoever for English batters.

After 20 overs,England 106/1 ( Jonny Bairstow 52 , Joe Root 26)

Naib continues. 100 up for England. Fifty up for Bairstow. England placed well here and Rashid Khan needs to now deliver, pick up a wicket and bring the Afghans back into the game.

FOUR! Lovely drive through the extra cover, breaching the fielder and that’s also fifty for Jonny Bairstow.

Root-Bairstow last six stands in ODIs:

50* (today), 95, 48, 42, 75, 72.