Colombo: Luke Wright cracked an unbeaten 99 as defending champions England knocked minnows Afghanistan out of the ICC World Twenty20 with a crushing 116-run victory in their opening Group A match here in the Sri Lankan capital on Friday.
England rode on Wright’s superb 55-ball innings to pile up an imposing 197 and then skittled out Afghans for a paltry 80 with 2.4 overs to spare at the R Premadasa Stadium here.
England’s emphatic victory means India also go through to the Super Eights stage, having beaten Afghanistan in their opening match on September 19.
The last group A match between India and England on Sunday will determine who finishes as the top team in the group.
Chasing 197 to win, Afghans were precariously placed at 26 for eight at one stage, and were in serious danger of recording the lowest total in a T20 international.
Gulbodin Naib who made 44 was the only Afghan batsman to reach double figures and his innings helped them cross the ‘magic figure’ of 67 that was scored by Kenya against Ireland.
Earlier put into bat, Wright smashed the Afghan bowlers all around the park during his unbeaten knock of 99 that contained eight fours and six sixes.
In the process, Wright became England’s highest individual scorer in World T20, surpassing Kevin Pietersen’s 79.
“Yeah, it was a bit of a special evening, I was desperate to play well and win games for England so it’s special to be man of the match,” Wright, who was Man-of-the-Match, said.
“We tried to hang around and see what we could get early on. As I’ve got older I’ve gone away and tried to work on my game and prove that I’m a better player.
He also got good support from the likes of Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan who chipped in with useful scores of 31 and 27 respectively.
Jos Butler (15) and Jonathan Bairstow (12) hit a few lusty blows to keep the momentum going for the defending champions.
“We batted maturely, Luke Wright’s innings was outstanding. When the guys came in at the end and struck the ball it was very powerful and exciting to see,” captain Stuart Broad said after the match.
“It’s amazing to see teams like Afghanistan here, it’s important to grow the game and hopefully this inspires people in their country,” he added.
Afghanistan skipper Nawroz Mangal, who spoke with the help of an interpreter, said: “We have enjoyed the tournament. England played like a champion, outplayed us in all the three departnement. The start was good but we could not maintain it.
“Everyone followed us closely, there were high expectations from us. Unfortunately, we could not deliver. But I would like to tell them that don’t be disapointed with us, we will try our best to give you some good news in future,” he added. (PTI)