Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Southampton
A Mohammed Shami hat-trick did the trick for India as they defended a modest total of 224 against Afghanistan in their fifth match of the World Cup. Needing 16 off the final over, bowled by Shami, Afghanistan got a four off the first ball before Shami dismissed Mohammad Nabi off the third ball, and then knocked the wickets down of batsmen No. 10 and 11 to earn India victory.
India had wilted a bit in the mid-year heat of England, restricted to an eye-poppingly low of 224 as Afghanistan’s spinners found help from the dry, turning wicket. With the stands heaving under the weight of over 25,000 Indian supporters and ringing with cries of “Jeetega India Jeetaga”, the Indian batsmen put up an underwhelming performance.
Afghanistan spinners Mujeeb ur Rahman (1/26), Mohammad Nabi (2/33) and Rashid Khan (1/38) put a tight leash on the Indians. Virat Kohli top scored with 67, but Kedar Jadhav was the only other to contribute over 50 runs.
Batting was easier in the second innings, but inexperience of the Afghanistan batting line-up and the excellent bowling at the end by Jasprit Bumrah and Shami gave India two full points from the game.
