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Afghanistan face uphill challenge against unstoppable England


Published : 17 Jun 2019 05:38 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 01:58 AM

England have won their last two games comprehensively, by margins of 106 runs and eight wickets respectively, and seem to be on course for a spot in the semi-finals. However, there are concerns over the fitness of skipper Eoin Morgan and opening batsman Jason Roy, who left the field midway against West Indies due to injuries, with the latter being ruled out for a minimum of two matches due to hamstring injury.

Joe Root, who opened the innings in Roy's absence, seemed to be at his fluent best, registering his second century at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019. The right-hander will return to his No.3 spot against Afghanistan, as James Vince is likely to fill in for Roy, making his first World Cup appearance in the process.

Afghanistan are yet to bat through their full quota of overs this tournament, and it has resulted in them losing each of their four matches. Against South Africa, they collapsed from 69/2 in the 21st over to 125 all out in the 35th. The Gulbadin Naib-led side will have to put together a complete performance if they are to challenge the top-ranked team in the MRF.

England have significant injury concerns after Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan both limped out of the win over the West Indies on Friday.

James Vince is expected to open the batting alongside Jonny Bairstow, while Moeen Ali is likely to return, with two spinners preferable on a used wicket at Old Trafford.

The pitch should suit Afghanistan's spinners, led by Rashid Khan, but their batting line-up just does not look capable of scoring a competitive total against a world-class bowling attack.