Afghanistan were expected to pull off an upset or two but hasn’t looked the part so far in this tournament
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00:00 Hi, I am Ayaz Mehman with the World Cup update.
00:02 England vs Afghanistan in Delhi today.
00:05 On the face of it, it looks a mismatch because Afghanistan have had two matches and they have lost both badly.
00:11 They were a team which was expected to put up a tougher fight.
00:15 It's a hardy team, it's a very ambitious team.
00:18 But they've just come, you know, the performances have been rather disappointing.
00:22 Especially of the spinners, Rashid, Mujib, Mohammed Dabiyu.
00:25 They were expected to exploit the Indian pitches far better than they have done.
00:29 England started off harrowingly against New Zealand.
00:33 They were licked quite comprehensively in that opening match.
00:37 But since then they've recovered.
00:39 Second game against Bangladesh showed them in their, you know, showed their prowess.
00:44 And remember, Ben Stokes hasn't played either of the first two matches.
00:47 So, the more interesting aspect of this match will be to see whether he does take the field.
00:52 He has to sooner rather than later. He is the best player, England's.
00:55 And they need him to be in the right groove.
00:59 And, you know, a match against Afghanistan, it may not be as competitive as one imagines.
01:05 But it's important from England's point of view to get the key players in very good rhythm.
01:11 Ben Stokes being one of them, the other two, I think, are Moeen Ali and Rashid.
01:15 If both play, or even one plays, they haven't really looked threatening.
01:19 And that's a sort of worry on Indian pitches.
01:22 Because you want all teams expect their spinners to do well.
01:25 But the batting looked quite robust without Butler making too many runs.
01:30 Ben Stokes not playing.
01:31 David Mallan has been fantastic at the top.
01:34 Joe Root, as always, polished, solid.
01:38 Just lending so much substance and the fulcrum of the batting.
01:43 Where Afghanistan are concerned, their batsmen have actually performed better than the bowlers.
01:47 And that's a source of worry.
01:48 But, maybe that's looking ahead to the future.
01:51 You know, their batting has to become good.
01:55 Talismanic Rashid Khan still is their main hope.
02:00 If he gets some purchase, if he gets a few early wickets, or he gets a few wickets,
02:04 then Afghanistan could be a little competitive.
02:07 But on the face of it, it looks like England all the way.
02:11 [MUSIC]
02:17 you