AFG vs ENG Ball by Ball Commentary

OUT! CAUGHT! AFGHANISTAN HAVE DONE IT! AND ENGLAND ARE KNOCKED OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025! Azmatullah Omarzai is the superstar as he picks up a five-wicket haul in their must-win match. He bowls this slightly fuller, around off, Adil Rashid has to swing at it and he does so but mistimes it and gets it through the outer half of the bat. The ball goes high in the air towards long off where Ibrahim Zadran backtracks a bit and takes it with his outstretched hands to his right. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 8 RUNS.

Goes fuller, around off, Wood drills it out to long off but just for a single only. They need now 9 runs off the last 2 balls. Will have to hit boundaries now.

Hard length, around off, Adil Rashid moves across a bit and looks to pull it but gets a top edge that flies towards long off but just falls ahead of the incoming fielder and the batters take a single.

On a good length, and outside off, Wood swings at it and slaps it hard but straight to deep cover for a single. He has done his job. England need 11 now off the last four balls.

Back of a length, around off, with pace off, Adil Rashid makes room and thumps it to long off and wants to have second but the fielder is quick to throw the ball at the non-striker's end and the batters have to restrict for just a single.

Hard length, around off, Wood taps it towards backward point and wants to have a quick single but is sent back by Adil Rashid as he wants the strike for the next over. Now, the equation has gone to 13 off the last 6 for England.

OUT! CAUGHT! ENGLAND ARE NINE DOWN! AFGHANISTAN NEED JUST ONE NOW! Fazalhaq Farooqi is bowling cleverly here as he takes the pace off, rolls his fingers and serves it on a good length just outside off, Jofra Archer mistimes his shot as he looks to slog it down the ground. The ball catches the upper part of the bat and goes in the air towards long on where the much experienced Mohammad Nabi takes it with both hands at his chest height yet again. England are 313/9. They need 13 off the last seven balls.

Back of a length, around off, Adil Rashid opens the face of the bat and guides it to short third man for a quick single. The fielder makes a throw at the batter's end but misses.

A low full toss, in trying to attempt a yorker, just outside off, Jofra Archer extends his arms and drills it to sweeper cover for a single. Good bowling from Fazalhaq Farooqi under pressure as he has given just two runs of the first three balls.

Slower again, but fuller and well outside off, Adil Rashid goes low and looks to loft it inside out over cover but gets it through the inner half of the bat to long off for a single.

Slower length ball, from around the wicket, on off, Adil Rashid gets squared up and drops it down back to the bowler.

Back of a length, with pace off, around off, Adil Rashid taps it wide of cover and runs it for a quick single. They need 16 off the last two overs.

OUT! CAUGHT! AZMATULLAH OMARZAI IS TURNING THIS GAME ON ITS HEAD! He picks up his fourth wicket of the evening as he bowls a slower ball again, a bit fuller, around off, Jamie Overton clears out his front leg and looks to thump it down the ground. He gets deceived by the lack of pace and mistimes this towards long on where Mohammad Nabi makes no mistakes as he pouches it with both hands at his chest height. England are 309/8 and they need 17 off the last 13 balls.

Slightly fuller, around middle, Archer knocks it down to long on for a single. Quite a sensible batting from both batters here.

Back of a length, around off, Overton turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! BOUNDARY UNDER PRESSURE! Back of a length, touch outside off, with pace off again, Jamie Overton gets inside of the line of the ball and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Ibrahim Zadran overruns it and again a sloppy effort in the field from Afghanistan.

DROPPED! Slightly fuller, slower as well, outside off, Jofra Archer plants his front leg ahead and looks to slog it over cover. He mistimes it high in the air as Rashid Khan runs back a long way to his left from mid off and extends his arms to catch it but the ball bursts out through his hands. Meanwhile, they run for a single.

WIDE! Bangs in short of a length, above the head, Jofra Archer ducks under it. Called a wide.

DOT BALL! On a good length, around off, angling in, Jamie Overton gets squared up and defends it. England need 25 now.

300 comes up for England! A low full toss again from Fazalhaq Farooqi outside off, Jamie Overton opens the face of the bat and drills it in the gap towards deep point. The fielder Sediqullah Atal makes a fumble there in collecting the ball properly and the batters run through for the second.

A low full toss, around off, Archer drills it to long off for a single.

FOUR! EDGED AND BOUNDARY! Slower length ball, around middle, Jofra Archer comes down the track and gets deceived by the lack of pace but goes for the pull shot and gets an inside edge as the ball passes the leg stump and goes for a boundary at deep fine leg. Azmatullah Omarzai gives it a chase but fails to stop the boundary.

A bit slower and on a good length, around off, Jofra Archer uses his wrists to turn it wide of mid-wicket and runs off for the second one as the fielder in the deep is a bit late in throwing to the keeper.

Starts with a full ball, around middle and off, Jamie Overton lunges and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! WHAT A WAY TO GET OFF THE MARK! Hard length and outside off, Jofra Archer stands tall and crashes it absolutely in the gap towards backward point for a boundary. They need 35 now.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! AFGHANISTAN'S PLAYERS ARE PUMPED UP AS JOE ROOT IS GONE! Azmatullah Omarzai breaks the partnership again as he has got the dangerous man. He changes his pace again, a bit slower and hits the deck hard, back of a length, around off. Joe Root waits for it, makes room by going to the leg side, and opens the face of the bat off late to guide it towards third man but he manages to get a thick outside edge only. The ball goes towards the keeper where Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves to his right and takes it with both hands. End of a fine knock from Root but England are now 7 down and they need 39 off the last 25 balls.

A bit slower again, back of a length, around middle and leg, Joe Root swivels and drops it down towards mid-wicket, He steals the second one despite being struggling with cramps.

FOUR! PURE CLASS! Slower length ball, around middle Joe Root checks his shot because of the lack of pace and drags it by pulling it along the ground to deep square leg for a boundary.

On a good length, around off, Overton punches it to cover and runs off for a quick single. The fielder makes a throw at the non-striker's end but misses.

Bangs in short of a length, around middle, Jamie Overton makes room and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs. Ibrahim Zadran runs in to his right and saves the boundary there.

A dot to end and now 48 needed off 30 balls! Slower one, floated full and wide outside off Joe Root goes for the reverse lap but misses.

Nice and full, floated up outside off, there to be driven and Overton creams it away to long off for just a single. Rashid Khan attacked the ball brilliantly there.

Full and wide outside off, Jamie Overton gets across and inside the line before hoicking it away wide of deep square leg and the batters do well to come back for two.

Floats it up a bit fuller on off, angling it in, Overton backs away and taps it to covers. No run there!

Just back of a length and around off, tapped away in front of covers for one.

SIX! What a time to get your first six of the game and what a way to do it as well, unbelievable. Banged into the deck a bit and well outside off, Farooqi saw Joe Root walking across but Root brings out the scoop, doesn't even have his eyes on the ball when the connection is made but gets it off the middle of the bat and over fine leg for a biggie.

Fuller one around off, Root leans on and milks it down to long on for another single.

Tossed up around off, Jamie Overton comes down the pitch and hits it flat over mid off. The ball goes on the bounce to Rahmat Shah at long off and they get a single but Rashid Khan wanted him to go for the catch. No one's catching that one!

Nice and full around off, Joe Root gets across and inside the line before sweeping it firmly but down to deep backward square leg for just a single. Root is starting to cramp-up big time here.

Nagging length again, drifted onto off and middle, Overton manages to nudge it away down to long on for one more.

Nagging length, sliding on from off, Root leans on and clips it away in front of square leg for a single.

Tosses the ball up outside off, Joe Root gets across and shovels it away wide of long on looking for two and a fumble in the deep from Mohammad Nabi allows him to do so.

Closes out the over well does Farooqi but 10 runs come off it. Good length, sliding onto off, Overton hits it on the up but straight to covers.

Beaten! Slower one, dished out full and outside off, this one angles in but holds the line. Overton leans on to drivebut is beaten past the outside edge.

Back of a length and wide of off stump, Root looks to reach out and cut but chops it down towards backward point for one.

Hard length wide outside off, Overton gets across and just punches it down in front of covers for a quick single.

FOUR! Around the wicket now and Overton picks up another boundary. Yet again, it is short but just not short enough, over middle, enough time for Overton to wait back and short-arm jab it well in front of square for four more runs.

FOUR! Just the start to the over England would have wanted. Short of a length around le, sitting right up, Overton waits well and pulls it firmly and well behind square leg, into the gap for a boundary.

A stifled appeal for LBW but nothing doing. Bowled flat and on a good length around off, Joe Root looks to reverse sweep it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Tossed up at the stumps, Overton charges down the track and plays it on the full to long on for one more.

A tad short on middle, it is the googly that Root picks and taps it down long on for a single. 250 up for England.

Flatter delivery, angled in at the pads, Jamie Overton just gets inside the line and flicks it well behind deep square leg. The fielder Sediqullah Atal in the deep runs to his right and dives in to keep the ball in play. The fielder from short fine leg helps him out as the batters pick up three runs.

A single and up comes the HUNDRED FOR JOE ROOT! A long wait for his 17th ODI ton, his first one since 2019 but could turn out to be one of the most important ones of his career. Flighted up on the stumps, Root leans on and clips it away through square leg for a single. Top knock this!

Quick and darted in around off, this one turns away, Joe Root presses back and pats it down the pitch.

Back of a length and outside off, Root reaches out and uppishly slashes it away wide of deep third for a single.

Good work out in the deep from Azmatullah Omarzai and Joe Root moves to 98 now. Just back of a length and angling in, Root gets inside the line and angles it away down towards fine leg for a couple of runs.

Tight single, very tight! Sower one, floated up on leg, Overton makes room and pushes it to covers for a single. The fielder misses the shy at the bowler's end and it seems like Overton was safe anyway.

Good length, around the top of off, nudged away to the left of mid-wicket where the fielder makes a sharp stop.

Nice and full, in the blackhole around off, Root jams it down towards long on looking for two and Overton turns quickly as well but Root settles for one.

FOUR! Joe Root has it all to do and is keeping England alive for now. Fractionally short over off, Root rocks back and pulls it away well wide of long on and for a boundary.

Four dots in a row to end the over! Darted in full and on leg, Overton defends it on the front foot. 90 needed now off 60 balls.

Drags the length back and bowls it outside off, Overton taps it away towards cover.

Pushed through a bit fuller and a bit more across off, Overton stands outside off and blocks it down the pitch.

Nagging length around off again, Overton leans on and blocks it off.

On a nagging length around off, sliding on, Joe Root punches it off the back foot past extra cover and towards long off for a single. Also, Noor Ahmad has just got his second and final official warning about running onto the pitch on the followthrough.

Quick and flat, darting just across off, Root is quick to rock back and pulls it flat but straight to mid-wicket.

Just back of a length an outside off, punched away square through the cover region for a couple of runs by Overton.

Pitches it up wide outside off, Jamie Overton leans across and taps it towards cover.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! The on-air commentators talked about Gulbadin Naib having that X-factor and wanted him to bowl and their wish has been finally granted and Naib does get the breakthrough for his side in his first over. Slower one, bowled into the pitch and around the fifth stump line, Liam Livingstone stays upright and goes hard at the cut but only manages to get the outside edge which is gobbled up by Rahmanullah Gurbaz to his right. Naib brings out the signature celebration and England are now 6 down with still 93 runs needed for the win.

WIDE! Banged in a bit short again but this is spilled down the leg side for a wide.

Off-paced delivery, short of a length and outside off, hit away off the back foot but straight to point.

FOUR! Sheer timing! Back of a length again and just outside off, Livingstone presses back slightly and just punches it away behind point as the ball rolls away to the fence.

Begins back of a length, slower too and over the top of off, Livingstone tentatively keeps it out.

FOUR! Joe Root holds the key for England and he moves into the 90s now. Flatter and angled across off, Root brings out the reverse sweep and hammers it in between backward point and short third for a timely boundary.

Too full and on off, punched away on the full down to long off for a single.

Beaten! The googly now, bowled at a gentle pace and on a length around off, Livingstone looks to drive but the ball angles further away and goes past the outside edge.

On a fuller length around middle and leg, Root gets inside the line and pats it down to long on for another single.

Flatter and angled well across off, Livingstone goes down on one knee and slaps it towards sweeper cover for one.

Nagging length, pushed across off, Joe Root hops back and jams it out into the off side for a quick single.

FOUR! Streaky! Banged in on a hard length around off, Liam Livingstone looks to block but gets squared up and the ball flies off the outside edge and runs away fine into the deep third fence.

OUT! CAUGHT! Azmatullah Omarzai, the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024 gets the big breakthrough and Jos Buttler has thrown it away. Azmat bowls a heavy bumper over middle and gets the height and line just correct. Buttler looks to take it on but isn't quite in control of the extra bounce and ends up hitting it over square leg. Rahmat Shah comes in from the deep and takes a simple catch as Buttler departs for 38 (42) and England are now 216/5!

On a good length and outside off, Jos Buttler walks across the off stump and looks for the lap but the ball is delivered slower and Buttler misses, wearing it on the pads.

Hard-length delivery, around the top of off, dabbed down into the leg side for a single by Root.

Risky single but good running in the end! Good length bowled around off, Buttler punches it straight to covers and sets off for the single. The fielder there has a shy at the bowler's end but just misses and Buttler dives in to safety.

Another half-hearted appeal for caught behind from Rahmanullah Gurbaz but the umpire turns it down. A well directed bumper from Azmat, banged in right around the helmet, Buttler takes his eyes off the ball while going for the pull and is beaten. There was a noise but not off the bat.

FOUR! Drops it a bit short and Joe Root pounces! Rashid bowls it from well behind the popping crease and drags it short outside off, Root rocks back and swats the pull flat and wide of deep mid-wickt for a boundary.

Three dots on the trot and the required rate starting to go up! Nice and full on middle, Joe Root clips it across the line to mid-wicket.

Bowled flatter now on off and darting back in, Root goes back in his crease and works it away in front of square leg.

Flighted up, on off and middle, Joe Root leans on and flicks it firmly but straight to mid-wicket.

Full again on off, Buttler stays leg side of the ball and drives it away through mid off for one more.

Tossed up, quick and full and around off, Root gets forward and punches it down to long off for a single.

Goes fuller, on the pads, Root lunges and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hard length, around middle, Root stands tall and punches it to mid off.

WIDE! Bangs in short of a length, but down the leg side, slower too, Joe Root ducks under it.

How has that missed the stumps? An appeal for caught behind from the keeper but is turned down by the umpire. Hard length, around middle, nips back in, stays a touch lower than expected, Joe Root goes for a pull shot but gets deceived by the lack of the bounce. The replays presents that the ball brushes his thigh pad on its way to the keeper.

On a good length, around off, Jos Buttler goes for a pull shot but gets it through the cue end of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

A bit slower, fuller but on the pads, easy for Root as he leans on and tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Bangs in short of a length, around off, Jos Buttler goes back and looks to pull it but gets a top edge but falls in the safe region towards square leg and the batters run for a single.

Keeps it shorter, just outside off, Buttler pushes it towards extra cover for a single to end the over.

Again shorter, around middle, stays a bit low as well, Joe Root stays on the back and drags it by pulling it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Much shorter, around middle, turns in, Joe Root presses back and looks to flick it but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Similar length, around middle, Buttler goes back and pushes it back to the bowler Rashid Khan who makes a fumble in collecting it and thus the batters get a single.

200 comes up for England! Nagging length, outside off, Jos Buttler goes back and cuts it in the gap towards sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Drops it short, around middle, Joe Root goes back, clears out his front leg and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short, quicker, outside off, Joe Root goes back and pulls it hard towards long on for a single.

Floated up, around leg, Buttler lunges and eases out to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drops it shorter, and outside off, Jos Buttler is quick to go back and slaps it in the gap towards deep cover for a couple of runs.

Tossed up, touch outside off, Root comes forward and pushes it to long off for a single.

Much fuller, almost a yorker, around leg, Buttler lunges and drills it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drops it short, around middle and leg, Joe Root nudges it wide of square leg for a single.

Slower through the air, fuller around off, Jos Buttler uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drills it back to the bowler.

Similar length, and around middle, Root stays on the back foot and pushes it to long on for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Root presses back and punches it to cover.

Drags his length, around off Buttler goes back and clips it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! OH MY GOODNESS! Nabi gives flight to the ball, pitched up, in the slot, around middle, Jos Buttler goes on his knee and slogs it over cow corner for a biggie. 92 M SIX.

Drops it short, slower, around off, Root goes back and pushes it to long on for a single.

Tossed up, around off, Root comes forward and knocks it down to long on for a single.

Nagging length, around middle and leg, Joe Root goes back and looks to flick it but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a mild appeal for LBW but is turned down.

Floated up, outside off, Jos Buttler reverse sweeps it away to deep point for a single.

Tossed up, around off, Root gets a leading edge towards long off as he looks to flick it and gets a single.

Similar length, around middle, Root stays on the back and nudges it wide of mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs as the fielder Mohammad Nabi makes a fumble there.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Noor drops it short and well outside off, a poor ball, Joe Root is quick to go back and absolute thrashes it in the gap towards extra cover for a boundary.

SIX! Finally, Jos Buttler is able to break free and brings up the first six of the chase! Floated up on the pads, Buttler skips down the pitch and heaves it away well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 154 needed now in 20 overs!

Just drags the length back, darting it in at the stumps, Root shows the full face of the bat and punches it down to long on for one.

Flighted ball, a bit full and around off, Root goes for the reverse sweep but gets an under edge back onto the pads.

Length on middle, Buttler plays it from the crease and turns it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Good running! Floated up, on a nagging length and on leg, nudged away a bit uppishly and wide of square leg for a quick single.

On the shorter side and around leg, tucked away towards mid-wicket.

How has that missed everything? Noor floats this one up, quite full and just around off, Jos Buttler sets up to back away and open up the off side but the ball dips on him and sneaks under the willow, just missing the off stump.

Flatter delivery, not all that full and around middle, Buttler rocks back and jams it own to short mid-wicket.

On a length around off, played off the back foot and into the off side for a single by Root.

Another appeal for LBW and turned down again as well but this one did seem to be missing the stumps. Quick and flat at 99 clicks, darted across off, Jos Buttler attempts the reverse sweep but misses and the ball thuds off his pads. They get a leg bye and no review taken either.

Good length on off and middle, just angling back in, Root works it off the back foot and in front of square leg for one.

Nagging length on middle, this one slides back in, Root hops back and pushes it down the pitch.

Flat and dragged outside off, Jos Buttler reaches out and hacks it flat and over the fielder at mid-wickwt towards the deep for a couple of runs.

A prolonged appeal for LBW but the onfield umpire says 'No.' Mohammad Nabi is certain that this is out and eventually, Afghanistan do review it. Nabi flights this one up on a length on off and gets the ball to just spin back in. Jos Buttler prods halfway forward looking to block but is beaten past the inside edge and gets clipped on the pads. The third umpire checks it and there's no bat involved as Ball Tracking shows wickets as umpire's call and Buttler survives.

Floated up at the pads, on a length and worked away through backward square leg for one.

Short of a length and around off, Root rocks back and punches it well in front of deep backward point this time and Kharote hs to cover a lot of ground as he stops another boundary and keeps it down to two.

Good fielding in the deep! Full and around off, Joe Root with the reverse sweep fine of deep backward point but the substitute fielder, Nangeyalia Kharote runs across and dives in to save a couple of runs.

Floated up, on a fullish length on off, Root comes forward and pushes it straight to short mid-wicket.

Nagging length in and around leg, Buttler looks to work it away but gets a bit of a leading edge onto the off side. Buttler can't quite find a way to rotate strike with regularity here.

Pre-meditates the reverse sweep and this is bowled flat and slow outside off, Buttler fails to connect again.

Beaten! Good length on off, it is the googly which Buttler picks and backs away to cut but is beaten as the ball skids through.

Drags it short and wide again, Root stands tall and swats it down past extra cover and towards wide long off for just one more.

On the fuller side and around leg, wristed away toward square leg for a single.

Drags this one down, short and wide, Jos Buttler rocks back and slaps it away but can't beat the fielder at covers.

Flatter delivery, pushed away outside off, Buttler plays it off the back foot and in front of the point region for a single.

Quick and a bit short as well on middle, Buttler rocks back to defend.

Just flights it up, on off, Root leans on and pushes it down to long on for one more. 150 up for England.

1 run.

Picks the wrong'un and works it away for a single and brings up yet another FIFTY does Joe Root. On the pads, clipped away behind square leg for a single and now Root will have to convert this into a big one if England are to have a chance at winning this game.

Bowled full and on the fourth stump line, Joe Root drives it on the up but Rashid Khan dives to his left and stops it.

Keeps it fuller again, around middle, Root comes forward and pushes it to long on for a single. Moves to 49.

Comes around the wicket, much fuller, almost a yorker, Buttler brings his bat down to drill it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, outside off, Root strides forward and steers it to long off for a single.

Fuller, around off, Buttler comes forward and pushes it to long off for a single.

Similar length, around off, Root opens the face of the bat to punch it in the gap towards extra cover for a single.

Drops it short, around middle, stays a bit low, Joe Root presses back and manages to keep it down to mid-wicket.

Floated up, around off, Jos Buttler comes forward and drives it wide of long off for a couple of runs.

Nagging length, around middle, Root works it away to square leg for a single off the back foot.

Flighted full, and outside off, Buttler prods forward and drives it in the gap towards sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller again, but on the pads, Root turns it wide of mid-wicket for a single off the front foot.

Drags his length a bit, around off, Joe Root takes a big stride forward and looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge to square leg.

Tossed up, around middle, Root comes forward and tucks it to short fine leg.

Floated up, around middle, Jos Buttler comes forward and blocks it off.

On a length, around leg, turns away sharply, Buttler turns it to mid-wicket off the front foot.

Similar length, around middle, Buttler defends it to mid on.

BEATEN! Nagging length, outside off, turns away with the angle, Jos Buttler comes forward and looks to punch it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Now, he gives flight, fuller, around middle, Buttler comes forward and drops it down back to the bowler.

WIDE! Flatter, quicker, but wide outside off, Jos Buttler doesn't offer any shot at it. Called a wide.

Tossed up, around middle, Root comes forward and clips it wide of long on for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Root pushes it to long on for a single off the back foot.

Similar length, around middle, turns in, Jos Buttler goes back and tucks it towards square leg for a single to get off the mark.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Mohammad Nabi again breaks a growing partnership and Afghanistan are on top in this game now! He keeps it slower and on the nagging length, around middle, gets some drift off the surface, Harry Brook presses back and looks to punch it for a single. He is a tad early in his shot and his right hand also gets off from the handle. The ball goes through the upper half of the bat back to the bowler where Mohammad Nabi leaps a bit and takes a reverse cup around his face. England are 133.4.

Slower through the air, around middle, Root presents the full face of the bat to drop it down to long on for a single.

Keeps it shorter, around middle and  leg, Harry Brook goes back and pushes it to long on for a single.

Nagging length, around middle, Brook adjusts and nudges it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! PUNISHED! A low full toss by Noor, on the pads, Joe Root goes on his knee and takes full advantage of it as he sweeps it in the gap towards deep backward square leg for a boundary to end the over.

Floated up, around middle and leg, Brook turns it wide of mid-wicket off the front foot for a single.

Fuller again, around leg, Root comes forward and flicks it to long on for a single.

Nagging length, around middle, Root drops it down to mid-wicket off the back foot.

Drags his length, around middle, Brook goes back and cuts it wide of point for a single.

Tossed up, around middle, Brook comes forward and nudges it to mid-wicket.

A bit shorter and around off, cut away off the back foot to short third for a single.

Nagging length around middle, this one turns back in and just flicks the pads while going down the leg side.

Darted in on a length and around off, Brook presses back slightly and punches it gently through the cover region for a couple of runs in the deep.

Just drags the length back a few inches and bowls it quicker on middle, Brook defends it off.

Nagging length around off, Root gets onto the front foot and punches it with a straight bat, down to long on for one.

Nabi returns and starts off with a flighted ball, angling it gently onto the pads, Joe Root just nudges it around the corner.

FOUR! Oh, wow! Harry Brook is starting to look at his best now. Tossed up, a bit full and around off, angling in, Brook gets onto the front foot and creams it through extra cover for a boundary.

Bowled full and outside off, Brook drives it away square through the off side and wide of sweepers again for another brace.

Flatter delivery, in and around off, Harry Brook punches it away wide of sweeper cover and picks up a couple of quick runs.

Darted in full on the stumps, turns out to be a full toss, Root swats it down to long on for just a single.

A googly now, skidding in late and tucked away towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up full and on middle, angling in, nudged away to mid-wicket.

Flighted ball, full and outside off, Brook leans on and pushes it away through the cover region for one more.

Quite full again, on off, stroked off the front foot to long off for another single.

Floated up, full and on the pads, worked away through the backward square leg region for a single.

Quicker and fuller on middle, Brook goes on the back foot to defend.

FOUR! Beautifully done again by Brook! Flatter delivery, in and around off, just a bit wider, Brook plays it off the back foot and cuts it late past the first slip and towards the fence at deep third.

On the shorter side to begin with, sliding across off, Joe Root rocks back and punches it to deep cover for one.

The wrong'un now to finish the over. Bowled full and around middle, Brook solidly blocks it off the front foot.

FOUR! Well, that's one way to get off the mark! On a fuller length and slightly outside off, Harry Brook stays back and just plays it under the eyes, with an open bat face and glides it down through backward point for a boundary.

OUT! LBW! That looked really close and eventually, Afghanistan do get their man! Rashid Khan bowls this one from the front of the hand, flat and quick, on a nagging length around leg. This one skids on and Ben Duckett tries to flick it off the back foot but gets beaten past the inside edge and gets rapped on the pads. A huge appeal for LBW but the umpire says no. Rashid is certain and Hashmatullah Shahidi reviews. Nothing on UltraEdge and three reds come up on Ball Tracking and the decision is overturned. Duckett departs for 38 (45) and England are now 98/3 as Rashid picks up his 199th ODI wicket. Also, Hasmat will be a relived skipper, having dropped Duckett not too long ago.

Darted in towards the pads, a bit fuller, Root looks to flick off the back foot but misses. The ball goes off the pads to short fine leg and they pick up a leg bye.

Flatter delivery, on a length and outside off, skidding on, Root swats it down to wide mid on for another dot ball.

Quick and short over off, Joe Root rocks back and pounces on it but can't pull it wide enough of mid-wicket. Dot!

A skiddy bumper, around middle and leg, this one comes on quickly but Rot gets in position early and pulls it away to deep square leg for a run.

Hard length in the channel, just eased away from the crease and through the point region for a single.

A good short ball, not all that quick but angled in towards the helmet, Duckett gets on top of the bounce but miscues the pull right off the cue end of the bat and in front of mid-wicket.

Floats it up full and wide outside off, Joe Root leans across and glides it with an open bat face through cover-point for a single.

Angled in towards off on a hard length, gets it to straighten a bit and Root jams it down towards mid on.

Just short of a good length and over off, Duckett hops and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Top shot! Quicker one, on a good length and outside off, Joe Root presses back and opens the face of the blade before cutting it late and wide of deep third for a boundary to end the over.

Drops it short now over middle and leg, Duckett rocks back to pull but mistimes it flat and towards long on for a single.

Bustling in and bowls this one on the fuller side and on off, Duckett leans on to defend.

Quick and full around leg, Ben Duckett gets inside the line and just laps it down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Much fuller and on off, driven on the front foot and down to long on for a single.

Pushed through flatter and towards middle stump, Joe Root watchfully keeps it out.

Fullish length, slanting in towards middle and leg, Root clips it away through square leg and picks up a single.

Banged in short and over middle, Ben Duckett gets on top of the bounce and crunches the pull down toward deep square leg for just a single.

Takes pace off and floats it up full in the blockhole on off, Duckett digs it out.

Just back of a length and over middle, Duckett blocks it out from his crease.

WIDE! A skiddy bumper now, over leg and angling just down, called a wide.

Full and wide outside off, squeezed way wide of deep third for a couple of runs.

DROPPED! A huge chance goes begging and it is yet again the skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi who makes a mess of it. Fazalhaq Farooqi angles this one into the pads, slower too, Ben Duckett looks to nudge it away but gets a leading edge that loops up towards mid off, Shahidi scampers towards it and makes the ground with ease but spills the catch. How costly will it be for Afghanistan to drop the in-form batter?

A bit fuller and around off, driven straight to covers.

Fractionally short again, zipping through, worked off the back foot through mid-wicket for a run. The 50 partnership comes up between these two.

Oh, sloppy fielding from the Afghans! Bowls the googly now, a tad short on leg, Joe Root rocks back and tucks it across to mid-wicket where Hashmatullah Shahidi lets it through his hands. Rahmat Shah from long on runs across to his right and slides but almost makes a mess of it as the batters pick up three runs.

Quicker one again, on a length and at the pads, Duckett goes back in his crease and works it away behind square leg for a single.

FOUR! Swung away! Quick and short on leg, turning back in and staying low, Duckett picks length early and rocks back to swat it away in front of deep square leg for a boundary.

Begins on the shorter side, bowling it on middle, Root rocks back and punches it down to long on for one.

Good work from Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the stumps! Good length again but sliding down leg, Duckett misses the flick and gets it off the pads but Gurbaz dives across to his right and makes the stop.

Takes some pace off and bowls it on a good length on off, Duckett blocks it off.

Hard length on off, Joe Root presses back and nudges it down in front of square leg for a single.

Pitches this one up on middle, and angles it in, Root leans on and flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

Around the wicket to the right-hander now, bowled back of a length and over off, this one straightens and Root presses back to defend.

Hit the deck hard and bowls it in the channel around off, Duckett stands tall and punches it way without much timing and through covers for a single.

FOUR! Joe Root with the reverse sweep again! Darted in around off, Root gets down quickly and nails it wide of deep third for a boundary.

Fractionally short and outside off, Duckett stays put and throws his hands at it, cutting it towards deep point for only a single.

Flatter one, bowled at the stumps and Root just pushes it through mid on for one more.

On the shorter side over middle and leg, pulled away off the back foot down to deep square leg for a single by Duckett.

On a length, sliding it in with the arm onto off and middle, Duckett rocks back to defend.

Flighted up, full and around off, Joe Root gets on the front foot and drives it down to long on for one.

On a length, around off, Duckett chops it out to backward point.

Back of a length, around middle, Duckett turns it towards mid-wicket.

Goes slightly fuller, and outside off, Ben Duckett leans on and drives it in the gap towards cover for a brace.

In the air... but falls safe! Slower length ball, touch outside off, Ben Duckett gets deceived by the lack of the pace and a tad early in his shot as he looks to chip it. The ball goes through the upper half of the bat and towards mid off who runs in to pick it up but the ball lands ahead of him.

FOUR! THRASHED! Bowls it fuller and around off, in the slot, Ben Duckett just transfers his weight to the front foot and drives it in the gap towards cover for a boundary. He surely is in good touch.

On a good length, around off, Duckett blocks it out.

FOUR! SMART BATTING! Nabi comes over the wicket and bowls it fuller, but outside off, Joe Root goes on his knee and switches his grip to reverse sweep it in the gap towards deep third man for a boundary.

Drags his length a bit, and into the line of the stumps now, Duckett turns it towards mid-wicket off the front foot for a single.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Nabi gives flight to the ball, fuller and outside off, in the slot, Ben Duckett prods forward and lofts it inside out over cover for a boundary.

Floated up, around middle, Duckett drops it down back to the bowler.

Tossed up, around off, keeps it much slower, Ben Duckett comes forward and drives it to the right of the bowler who stops it.

Nagging length, around middle and leg, Ben Duckett clears out his front leg and pulls it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Fuller again, around off, Root drops it down to mid off.

FOUR! GLORIOUS! Lands it fuller but on the pads, easy for Joe Root as he lunges and uses his wrists to flick it away with soft hands for a boundary at deep square leg.

A yorker, around off, Joe Root manages to bring his bat down to jam it out.

Hard length, around off, Root comes forward and looks to punch it away but gets it through the toe end of the bat to point.

Good length, around off, Joe Root defends it back to the bowler.

On a good length, around middle, Root nudges it to mid on.

FOUR BYES! Nabi gives air to the ball again and follows the batter, around leg, Ben Duckett comes down the track and looks to loft it inside out over cover but it has beaten all ends up. The keeper also misjudges it and the ball goes past the leg stump for a boundary.

Switches to around the wicket, keeps it slower, around middle and leg, Ben Duckett comes forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Floated up, around middle, Root lunges and turns it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! PURE CLASS! Nabi keeps it shorter and outside off, Joe Root is quick to go back and cuts it in the gap towards backward point for a boundary to get off the mark.

Nagging length, around middle, Root works it away to mid-wicket.

OUT! CAUGHT! ENGLAND ARE TWO DOWN INSIDE THE POWER PLAY! Mohammad Nabi gives air to the ball, tosses up, and around off, Jamie Smith dances down the track and looks to loft it inside out over cover but gets it through the bottom part of the bat. The ball goes in the air towards backward point where Azmatullah Omarzai moves to his right a bit and extends his arms to take it with both hands. England are 30/2. Also, Joe Root walks out to bat now.

A bit slower and outside off, on a length, Ben Duckett moves across and taps it to cover point.

Hard length, on top of off, Smith opens the face of the bat to guide it to deep third man for a single.

Nagging length, around middle, Jamie Smith gets opened up and drops it down with the full face of the bat.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Goes fuller but on the pads, easy for Jamie Smith as he leans on a bit and uses his wrists to flick it away towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good length, around off, Smith dabs it to backward point.

Leg bye! Hard length, around middle, coming in with the angle, Ben Duckett looks to flick it but misses and gets hit on the front pad. They run in for a single as the ball rolls away towards square leg.

On a good length, around off, Jamie Smith punches it aerially towards mid on. Just ahead of the Rashid Khan there.

Drags his length, and changes the line to the off stump, Smith defends it.

Goes fuller, around middle, with inswing but slower in pace, Jamie Smith comes forward and turns it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! TIMED IT BEAUTIFULLY! Hard length and touch outside off, Jamie Smith stands tall and punches in the gap towards cover off the back foot for a boundary.

From around the wicket, on middle, hard length, Jamie Smith punches it to cover off the back foot.

Leg bye! On a good length, around middle and leg, jags back in, Ben Duckett looks to flick it but gets a faint inside edge. He runs in for a single as the ball rolls away after hitting the front pad towards square leg.

Similar length, and on the fourth stump, Jamie Smith punches it again but straight to cover point.

Hard length, on top of off, Jamie Smith stands tall and punches it hard but straight to cover.

Lands it fuller and outside off, Smith comes forward and drives it straight to extra cover.

OUT! BOWLED! Afghanistan get their first wicket and it is Azmatullah Omarzai who has drawn the first blood for them. He runs in from over the wicket and bowls on a good length, around middle, coming in with the angle, Phil Salt misjudged the length and he goes for a pull shot from the front foot but misses. The ball sneaks through under the bat and rattles the middle stump. England are 19/1.

Hard length, outside off, Ben Duckett waits for it and chops it out to deep third for a single.

Good length and outside off, Salt uses the pace and guides it to deep third man for a single.

Slower ball, full, around middle, Ben Duckett leans on and uses his wrists to flick it in the gap towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Could have been chopped on! Full again but with pace this time, touch outside off, Phil Salt throws his hands at it and looks to drive it with no foot movement and gets a thick inside edge that goes past the leg stump for a single.

Slower, pace off, fuller and outside off, Phil Salt almost gets deceived by the lack of the pace and checks his shot but manages to keep it down to mid off.

Hard length, on the pads, angling in, Phil Salt opens up and flicks it away in the gap towards deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Goes fuller, around off, a hint of inswing, Phil Salt comes forward and drives it to mid off.

Around off, on a length, Phil Salt stands tall and flat bats at it to mid on.

Can't find the gap again! On a good length, around off, Duckett cuts it hard but straight to the point fielder.

Hard length, touch outside off, Duckett stabs it to cover point off the front foot.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Goes fuller, in the slot, a bit slower as well, wide outside off, Ben Duckett lunges, gets to the pitch of the ball, and creams the drive in the gap towards cover for a boundary. That also brings up 1000 runs in ODIs for Duckett.

Slightly fuller, but on the pads, easy for Duckett as he leans on and clips it to mid-wicket.

On a good length, around off, Ben Duckett hangs back and taps it to extra cover.

Starts with a full ball, seaming in, from over the wicket, on middle, Ben Duckett comes forward and uses his wrists to flick it to mid-wicket.

On a good length, around off, Salt drops it down to cover .

BEATEN! Goes slightly fuller, around off, gets the ball to shape away, on the seam, Phil Salt is drawn forward and he looks to defend it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! SECOND OF THE OVER AND THE SLIP HAS GONE OUT! Hard length, width on offer, well outside off, Phil Salt stands tall and punches it off the back foot in the gap towards extra cover for another boundary.

Comes around the wicket, on a good length, around middle, coming in with the angle, on middle and leg, Phil Salt hops up a bit and looks to flick it but misses and gets hit on the front pad. There is a mild appeal for LBW but is turned down by the umpire.

Back of a length, around off, Salt dabs it to backward point off the back foot.

FOUR! ENGLAND UNDERWAY STRAIGHTAWAY! Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls it fuller, around off, from over the wicket, Phil Salt just comes forward and thrashes it in the gap towards wide mid off for a boundary to get off the mark. Some start to this chase!