Twitter Reaction: Afghanistan spinners clatter England

Afghanistan spinners completely weaved their magic on the relatively stronger England side to completely bamboozle their batting order. England, who chose to bat first after winning the toss, would have never expected this show.

Spinners Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Rashid Khan bowled fantastically and had reduced England were reduce to 57/6 at one stage in the first innings. But, some late burst from Moeen Ali and David Willey saw the Englishmen register a respectable 142/7 on the board to defend.

Afghanistan opened with spin as left-arm spinner Amir Hamza opened the bowling and was the first to strike when he managed to get better of Opener Jason Roy’s defense. Joe Root and James Vince then began to counter attack and scored 14 runs from Hamza’s next. But, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi then came into the attack and landed a triple blow, dismissing Vince, Morgan and Stokes in one over.

The off spinner first picked the wicket of James Vince. The right-hander danced down the pitched and lobbed the catch straight to the bowler in return. The next to depart was skipper Morgan, who got out in a timid way.

The left hander decided to leave a straighter one from Nabi which went on to crash on the stumps. Both these wickets fell off back to back deliveries. His hat-trick chance was turned down by Ben Stokes but the next delivery brought his downfall.

Root tried to steal a quick single but the batsman at strike Stokes chose to take the risk. But, by now, Root was already way out of the crease and was caught short of the crease by Nabi at the bowlers end. It was interesting run out as Nabi broke the stumps too early. But, he quickly uprooted the stump to ensure that Root is not safe.

Couple of overs later, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes fell in back to back overs to leg spinners Samiullah Shenwari and Rashid Khan. England was reduced to 57/6 at this stage. Soon, Jordan also lost his wicket and the team was further reduced to 85/7. But, just when everybody thought that England will be bowled out below hundred, Moeen Ali and David Willey put on a great batting performance and saved England from an embarrassment.