England need 101 in 25 overs to beat Afghanistan

England need 101 runs from 25 overs via the Duckworth Lewis (D/L) method after rain halted the Afghanistan innings at 111/7 in 36.2 overs in an inconsequential cricket World Cup Pool A match at the Sydney Cricket Ground here on Friday.

World Cup debutants Afghanistan struggled from the start against the English bowlers. Openers Nawroz Mangal (4) and Javed Ahmadi (7) perished against right-arm seamers James Anderson and chris Broad, respectively.

Another pacer Chris Jordan felled Afsar Zafai (6) as the Afghans were reduced to 25/3 in the 12th over. Jordan then dismissed in-form and reliable Shamiullah Shenwari (7) to make sure that the Asian side didn't recover from the slump at 34/4.

Ravi Bopara compunmded the Afghans' problems further as the right-arm medium pacer got rid of Nasir Jamal (17) to make it 65/5 in the 26th over.

Shafiqullah (30) and skipper Mohammad Nabi then tried their best to stem the rot with a 26-run stand for the sixth wicket. But Bopara removed the captain making it 91/6 in the 32nd over.

Finally, Shafiqullah also lost his wicket at a lowly Afghanistan total of 101/7. Nazibullah Zadran (12 not out) and Hamid Hassan (not out 0) were at the crease when rain interrupted play.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 111/7 in 36.2 (Shafiqullah 30; Chris Jordan 2/13, Ravi Bopara 2/31) vs England.