Afghanistan beaten after giving tough time to England

Delhi: Cricket minnows Afghanistan gave a tough time to England who emerged victorious in the end in the World Twenty20 Super Ten Group One match here at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Wednesday.Chasing 143, they made a disastrous start but finished at 127 for nine to lose the match by 15 runs.Shafiqullah top-scored with an unbeaten 35 from 20 balls. He struck two towering sixes and four boundaries.Other main scorer was Samiullah Shenwari, who made 22.Leg-spinner Adil Rashid and left-arm pacer David Willey claimed two wickets each while off-spinner Moeen Ali, and seamers Chris Jordan and Ben Stokes took one wicket each.Earlier, England managed to avoid a total collapse after losing seven wickets for 85, batting first after winning the toss.England batsmen could not resist against Afghan spinners but it was Moeen Ali who saved his team from an embarrassing situation to steer them to 142 for seven.Ali remained not out on 41, made from 33 balls with four boundaries and a six. He was ably supported by tail-ender David Willey, who contributed an unbeaten 20, hitting two sixes. Both added 57 runs from 33 balls for an unbeaten eighth wicket stand.For Afghanistan, off-break bowler Muhammad Nabi and leg-break bowler Rashid Khan captured two wickets for 17 each while leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari and left-arm spinner Amir Hamza took one wicket each.