Mohammed Shami hat-trick against Afghanistan ICC World Cup 2019

India Bowler Mohammed Shami hat-trick to finally clinch a thrilling 11-run win over Afghanistan after the minnows threatened one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history in Southampton on Saturday.

Afghanistan, appearing at only their second World Cup lost the toss but restricted India to 224 for eight in their 50 overs, giving themselves a genuine chance for a huge upset.

They were well set at 106-2 in the 29th over, even though the run-rate was starting to edge up, but two wickets in one over from paceman Jasprit Bumrah removed batsmen Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Batsmen Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran batted sensibly to keep their side in the hunt, but when Zadran was caught by fielder Yuzvendra Chahal off all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Afghanistan were 166-6 in the 42nd over.

Nabi was still there in the final over, with 16 required and drilled Mohammed Shami  first ball down the ground for four.

With an incredible triumph within touching distance, Nabi was caught by Pandya at long on two balls later.

Mohammed Shami then clean-bowled tail-enders Aftab Alam and Mujeebur Rahman to seal a nerve-jangling win with a hat-trick.

“This win is right up there. We thought 250 was par and 270 would have been an outstanding effort. A team like Afghanistan doesn’t let you play how you want to play,” India captain Virat Kohli said. “At the halfway mark we had some doubts in our mind but everyone had belief in the changing room.”

With his final ball of the over Bumrah turned the game sharply back in India’s direction when Shahidi could only offer up a simple caught-and-bowled chance and he departed for 21.

Bumrah the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler finished with figures of 2 for 39 from his 10 overs bowling superbly at the death. Mohammed Shami finished with figures of 4-40.

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