Afghanistan v England
Wisden's review of the 38th match, Afghanistan v England
15-Apr-2016
At Sydney, March 13, 2015 (day/night). England won by nine wickets (D/L). Toss: England.
Sporadic rain could not prevent England from finishing their doomed campaign with a hollow win. A desperately tepid occasion entered the realm of the bizarre when Morgan insisted he had "no regrets" about his side's performances throughout the tournament. Conditions closer to Keighley than Kabul had exposed the Afghans' techniques again, but did not douse the passion of a strong expat element in the crowd. Balls jagged and swung, and twice rain forced Afghanistan to restart their innings; then the longest of the showers ended it at 111 for seven in the 37th over. Edges were held efficiently, with Jordan and the recalled Bopara - Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali were injured - backing up the new-ball attack. Mohammad Nabi injected some urgency with a six over extra cover off Tredwell, making his first appearance in the tournament, and Shafiqullah played nicely before mistiming a sweep. Duckworth/Lewis set England 101 from 25 overs, which was never going to push them. Hales was dropped on nought and 12 by Najibullah Zadran at point off Shapoor Zadran, but Bell relished the low-pressure situation, and Taylor batted with the care of a man determined to be there at the end. RICHARD HOBSON
Man of the Match: C. J. Jordan.
Sporadic rain could not prevent England from finishing their doomed campaign with a hollow win. A desperately tepid occasion entered the realm of the bizarre when Morgan insisted he had "no regrets" about his side's performances throughout the tournament. Conditions closer to Keighley than Kabul had exposed the Afghans' techniques again, but did not douse the passion of a strong expat element in the crowd. Balls jagged and swung, and twice rain forced Afghanistan to restart their innings; then the longest of the showers ended it at 111 for seven in the 37th over. Edges were held efficiently, with Jordan and the recalled Bopara - Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali were injured - backing up the new-ball attack. Mohammad Nabi injected some urgency with a six over extra cover off Tredwell, making his first appearance in the tournament, and Shafiqullah played nicely before mistiming a sweep. Duckworth/Lewis set England 101 from 25 overs, which was never going to push them. Hales was dropped on nought and 12 by Najibullah Zadran at point off Shapoor Zadran, but Bell relished the low-pressure situation, and Taylor batted with the care of a man determined to be there at the end. RICHARD HOBSON
Man of the Match: C. J. Jordan.