Twitter Reactions: Morgan-massacre blows away Afghanistan in Manchester

England managed to claim the top spot of the points table in the 2019 World Cup after beating Afghanistan by 150 runs. At the Old Trafford in Manchester, the Three Lions put up a strong batting performance that helped them script their fourth victory of the mega event and garner 8 points. For Gulbadin Naib and Co, their campaign went from bad to worse with their fifth straight defeat.

England dictates terms

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the hosts got the Afghans by the scruff of their necks and racked up 397 in their 50 overs. James Vince, who replaced Jason Roy, and Jonny Bairstow put on 44 after which Dawlat Zadran nipped out the former in the 10th over. Joe Root joined Bairstow and the duo added 120 more runs. Bairstow notched his half-century off 61 balls but was unlucky to get out on 90.

Thereafter, Eoin Morgan took the onus upon himself and brought up his 13th ODI century in 57 deliveries. His knock of 148 off 71 was laced with four boundaries and 17 sixes. Root also wasn’t far behind and he backed up his ton against the Windies with an 82-ball 88. Moeen Ali provided the finishing kick with a 9-ball 31. For Afghanistan, Dawlat Zadran and Gulbadin Naib got three wickets each.

A bridge too far for Afghanistan

The Afghans didn’t get off to the best of starts as Noor Ali Zadran perished to Jofra Archer for a 7-ball duck. Naib promoted himself to open the batting and he raced away to a 28-ball 37 before falling prey to Mark Wood. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi put on 52 for the third wicket, but the required rate kept climbing. Rashid Khan broke the stand, getting rid of Rahmat, who managed 46 off 74 balls.

Hashmatullah copped a blow the helmet off Wood and he brought up his fifty off 68 balls. Asghar Afghan also played a knock of 44 off 48 balls. Mohammad Nabi smacked an over-boundary but became Rashid’s third victim. Archer brought an end to Shahidi’s knock after the left-hander got a gutsy 76. Mark Wood added to his wickets column as well, getting rid of Najibullah Zadran. The Afghans ended on 247.

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