Defending champions England knocked Afghanistan out of the World Twenty20 with a 116-run victory in the group A match in Colombo on Friday. England rode on an unbeaten 99 off 55 balls by Luke Wright to pile up 196-5, before bowling Afghanistan out for 80 in 17.2 overs in the day-night game at the Premadasa stadium.
Afghanistan’s second successive defeat in the tournament meant both England and India qualified for the Super Eights round from the group. Earlier, Luke Wright smashed an unbeaten 99 off 55 balls as defending champions England overcame a bad start to post 196-5 against Afghanistan in the World Twenty20 in Colombo on Friday. Wright plundered eight fours and six sixes in the highest score by an Englishman in World Twenty20 after Craig Kieswetter was bowled by Shapoor Zadran in the first over before a run had been scored. Wright, who was on 97 with one ball remaining, was denied a century when he managed just two runs off Dawlat Zadran.
England, sent in to bat, struggled to 15 runs in the first four overs, before the innings gained momentum when 23 runs were scored off the fifth over bowled by Shapoor.
Alex Hales helped Wright put on 69 for the second wicket before he was run out for 31 in the 10th over. Eoin Morgan joined Wright to add 72 for the third wicket, himself making 27 off 23 balls before he was dismissed in the 17th over attempting a big shot off Izatullah Dawlatzai.
