Moeen, Willey rescue England to 15-run win | ESPNcricinfo

Illustrated Story

Moeen, Willey rescue England to 15-run win

ESPNcricinfo staff

23-Mar-2016

Delhi was hosting its first match of the World T20, and though there was not much crowd, there was enough fanfare  •  AFP

England opted to bat and James Vince, playing his first game at a World Cup, in place of the injured Alex Hales, took the score to 42 for 2 in 5.3 overs•AFP

But his wicket provided Afghanistan the spark they needed. Mohammad Nabi bowled an over that claimed three wickets...•Getty Images

... Among them was the England captain Eoin Morgan, who bagged a golden duck as he left a straight ball through to his stumps•Getty Images

An in-form Joe Root was run-out for only 12•Getty Images

Rashid Khan bowled Ben Stokes for 7 as England were haunted by spin again. They slipped to 57 for 6 by the halfway stage of the innings•Associated Press

Moeen Ali, batting at No. 7, played a decisive hand to put the match back in balance. His 41 off 33 balls took England from 85 for 7 in the 15th over to 142 for 7•Getty Images

David Willey struck in the first over of the chase with the big wicket of Mohammad Shahzad•Getty Images

He struck once again in third over as Afghanistan began to lose their way•AFP

England's spinners, too, joined in as Afghanistan soon found themselves at 39 for 5 by the ninth over•Getty Images

Samiullah Shenwari lifted his side towards the end with a slow 22•IDI/Getty Images

Shafiqullah then struck a few boundaries in the end overs to narrow down the equation, but England's pacers held their nerve to keep Afghanistan to 127 for 9•Getty Images

Afghanistan England England vs Afghanistan World T20