Rahmanullah Gurbaz Admits Virat Kohli is an ‘Inspiration’ After AFG Beat ENG in ODI WC 2023 Match in Delhi

Delhi: Rahmanullah Gurbaz was in his elements when Afghanistan took on England on Sunday in an ODI World Cup 2023 match at the Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi. Opening the batting for Afghanistan, Gurbaz hammered a breathtaking 80 off 57 balls. His innings was laced with four sixes and eight fours. His knock not only helped Afghanistan to a decent total, but he also installed fear in the opposition. Following the game, the Afghanistani cricketer admitted that Virat Kohli is an ‘inspiration’ and has been one during his growing up years.

“Kohli is an Inspiration for every young player in the world, players look up to him & he helped me a lot about the game plan, how to build an innings & how to score big runs,” Gurbaz said to the broadcasters.

After a lot of one-sided matches, the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup was craving for an upset win and Afghanistan delivered the same with a 69-run victory over defending champions England.

With a healthy amount of support for them in the crowd of 26, 440, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil slammed half-centuries in carrying Afghanistan to 284 in 49.5 overs. In defence, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman took three wickets each in an impressive bowling performance to bowl out England for 215 in 40.5 overs.

With this, Afghanistan ended their 14-match losing streak in World Cups with the biggest win of their ODI history to date, sending shockwaves in the tournament and the cricketing world. Afghanistan are now at sixth place in points table, just behind England, while Australia are now at bottom of the ten-team tally.

Chasing 285, England were dealt an early blow when Jonny Bairstow was trapped lbw on first ball of Fazalhaq Farooqui, which he reviewed immediately. The replay showed the ball clipping leg-stump on umpire’s call, meaning England retained review, but lost Bairstow.

Though Dawid Malan and Joe Root picked some boundaries, Farooqui continued to bowl probing line and length – like he squared up Malan, hit him on pads (and burnt a review), then beating him. Afghanistan increased pressure on England when Mujeeb Ur Rahman castled Root with a googly that stayed low.