Moeen saves England from total collapse

DELHI: England managed to avoid total collapse after losing seven wickets for 85 against minnows Afghanistan in the World Twenty20 Super Ten Group One match here at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Wednesday.

Batted 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 and steered them to 142 for seven in their 20 overs.

Ali remained not out on 41, made from 33 balls with four boundaries and a six. He was ably supported by David Willey, who contributed an unbeaten 20 hitting two sixes. Both added 57 runs from 33 balls for an unbeaten eighth wicket stand.

Only three other batsmen could get into the double figures – James Vince (22), Chris Jordan (15) and Joe Root (12).

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.

England made two changes – bringing in James Vince in place of Alex Hales, who has a stiff back, while Liam Plunkett was preferred to Reece Topley while Afghanistan made one change, with Shafiqullah, replacing Dawlat Zadran.