Afghanistan vs England, 14th Match, Group 1 at Perth, T20 WC, Oct 22 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

A game which could have gone either way only if there were another 20 more runs to play with. England got half a scare against spin in the middle overs, something they will be mindful of with Sri Lanka also in their group. Afghanistan look good already, and will want more from their batters in the games to come. Until then, it is goodnight and goodbye from us. See you tomorrow!

Jos Buttler, the winning captain: "Coming into the tournament, there were a few nerves. To get out there and get a win was fantastic. There were [fantastic catches]! I thought it was a fantastic effort. I enjoyed that [his own catch]. Mark Wood is always fun to keep wicket to... It is very vital to have someone who can bowl at that express pace. He is a great asset. [Sam Curran] has got a great character for death-bowling. We know it's a really tough period of the game to bowl in. It goes against you... Felt like the ball swung early. We were challenged, and felt like we had to pay respects to the bowlers. Could have been more fluent, but full credit to Afghanistan"

Mohammad Nabi, the Afghanistan captain: "Good start to the tournament... We didn't put up a good score. England is the best T20 team in the world, and recently they played good cricket against Australia and Pakistan. Boys played really well. [There were] two or three good catches; we thought 145 would be a good total to fight. This is our plan: put a good total on the board. We have good spinners - me, Rashid and Mujeeb - who play the Big Bash here. We'll learn and we hope we improve in the next game"

Sam Curran is the Player of the Match for his 5 for 10: "We saw the way the Afghanistan team made it quite tricky towards the end. They have world-class spinners... You've seen in the qualifying groups, with the West Indies missing out that any teams can... Hopefully we can keep playing with confidence and keep winning. To come here and start with a win is great. Ireland will be another tricky game. I was just trying to be as adaptable as possible. Trying to get better in different phases of the game. Really enjoying my cricket at the moment"

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Wasif: "This is the group of death, England might rue their slower chase later in the tournament"

10.08pm So a low-scoring entertainer in Perth follows a high-scoring one-sided game in Sydney. Who knew what would have been had Afghanistan even scored 130? The pitch always looked pacy, and thus challenging for them, even as they ensured they didn't let England have it easy. A bit of a middle-order collapse did shake England up, as Nabi, Mujeeb and co did their bit to try and defend a small score. But Livingstone hung around, and ensured Curran's five-for didn't go in vain.

Scores level

Tinura: "At least Afghans could reduce the damage to their NRR..."

Just 2 to win. Omarzai has the ball

Adnan: "Last 3 overs of Afg innings costing them the match here."

A six to win this one?

Nabi back

Anish V: "That 15th over changed the game entirely. With a wicket in the previous over, it should have been Rashid or Nabi. Grave mistake."

Afeef: "The match would be incomplete without a six from Livingstone" --- Enough runs remaining for that

Farooqi back from over the wicket

Premal: "If only Afghanistan had 20 more runs!!"

Last ball of Rashid's spell. Can he... ? He comes from around the wicket, as there is also a slip.

Moeen is in next. A googly to clean him up early?

George: "It is difficult to be competitive all the time with just three international level bowlers. Teams will just target the remaining two, especially when presented with low targets."

Rashid back. Slip in place