Opportunity missed to beat England: Afghan spinner

England lost their first match against West Indies because they had to face the Gayle storm but they won their second match against South Africa where no one expected them to win.

Chris Jodan and Moeen Ali are trying to dig England out of a hole. They continue to play in the right way to try and improve their cricket.

For Afghanistan, off-break bowler Muhammad Nabi and leg-break bowler Rashid Khan captured two wickets for 17 each while leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari and left-arm spinner Amir Hamza took one wicket each.

Moeen came into the attack and struck in his first over when Rashid Khan (15) was caught by skipper Eoin Morgan at cover with the total 35-4. Vince was then caught and bowled by Mohammad Nabi in his first over.

"Tomorrow is a big game and we are certainly not taking Afghanistan for granted", Morgan said on Tuesday. Though he was under pressure with the bat and could only contribute to 10% of the chase, his impact with the ball was a lot higher - he claimed two top-middle order wickets to stem the flow of runs and put England under pressure.

Moeen and Willey came up with some lusty hits towards the end to plunder 57 runs in 5.3 overs which made all the difference. They may be the minnows but Afghanistan has thrown quite a few good fast bowlers, who can bowl above 140kmph regularly. Replays suggested that Moeen was fortunate to survive a leg before appeal off the bowling of Shapoor Zadran in the 18th over when England were 102 for 7.

"We were flying back home directly after the game, had already packed our bags to leave, and in my mind I was already at home sitting on the couch". They have some very good cricketers in their side, especially all-rounder Nabi. Afghanistan, in comparison, had seven such players.

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"Ten years ago we might not have known much about them, but now that is the nature of modern sport".

The two sides have met just twice before at global level, but the associate nation's performances against Sri Lanka and South Africa have hinted that a big scalp is within their scope.

Their captain Asghar Stanikzai said he was "proud" to hear such praise but also urged the International Cricket Council to ensure the team, which is now based in India, can build on their progress.

Stanikzai said he was proud that their efforts have been noticed and hoped it would act as a stepping stone for consistency.

With 41 runs needed in the final three overs, Shafiq () played a blinder of a knock hitting a six and a couple of boundaries to bring down the target to 24 runs off the final over.

"We need their (ICC) support and we are eager to play each and every world cup and we have requested full members to play a series with us".

Captain Eoin Morgan praised England's strength in depth after a late flourish from Moeen Ali and David Willey spared the team's blushes against Afghanistan at the World Twenty20 on Wednesday. While England have played both their Super 10 fixtures at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, where batsmen have run the show, Afghanistan have had the chance to experience two contrasting conditions - the slow burner at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the run-churner in Mumbai.