Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah bats against India (SAEED KHAN)

Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jasprit Bumrah struck two crucial blows for India as Afghanistan faltered in sight of one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history in Southampton on Saturday.

Virat Kohli’s India struggled to impose themselves on the Afghan bowlers after winning the toss and choosing to bat, failing to get out of second gear and crawling to 224 for eight in their 50 overs.

Afghanistan have been the whipping boys of the tournament so far, losing all five of their matches and often looking out of their depth against the more established teams.

But Afghanistan, playing in only their second World Cup, were going along well at 106-2 despite some tight bowling by India.

India were furious when the umpire turned down a huge lbw shout at the start of the 29th over from Bumrah, who rapped Rahmat Shah on the pads — India had no reviews left.

However, just three balls later Shah, on 36, top-edged a hook and Yuzvendra Chahal took a fine low catch running in from fine leg, sending the massed ranks of flag-waving Indian supporters wild.

With his final ball of the over Bumrah turned the game sharply back in India’s direction when Hashmatullah Shahidi could only offer up a simple caught and bowled chance and he departed for 21, leaving Afghanistan 106-4.

– Afghan spin attack –

Earlier, in-form opener Rohit Sharma, who has scored two hundreds so far in the tournament, was dismissed for just one by off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman as unbeaten India made a sluggish start.

The rest of India’s powerful top order all got established, with skipper Kohli making 67 from 63 balls, but none went on to play a decisive innings for the two-time champions.

They hit just 16 boundaries — including only one six.

Off-spinner Mujeeb was particularly impressive, conceding just 26 runs in his 10 overs, while leg-spinner Rashid Khan bounced back from the most expensive spell in World Cup history against England to take 1-38.

Kohli, who scored half-centuries against Australia and Pakistan, reached his third consecutive fifty of the tournament off 48 balls, with four fours, but was caught by Shah off the bowling of Mohammad Nabi.

MS Dhoni struggled to find any fluency, hitting 28 off 52 balls before he was stumped by Ikram Alikhil off the bowling of Rashid.

Kedar Jadhav reached his fifty off 66 balls, giving the scorecard a look of respectability, but Afghanistan were in with a chance of pulling off a famous win.

India had made just one change to their line-up after their win against arch-rivals Pakistan, with seam bowler Mohammed Shami replacing the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Afghanistan, bottom of the 10-team World Cup table, made two changes, bringing in Hazratullah Zazai and Aftab Alam for Noor Ali Zadran and Dawlat Zadran.

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.