DELHI, India, Oct 15, (AP): England’s title defense at the Cricket World Cup is in real trouble after losing to Afghanistan by 69 runs on Sunday in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history.
Afghanistan were dismissed for 284 with one ball of their innings remaining in New Delhi, but bowled out England for 215 with 9.3 overs left. Only Harry Brook offered serious resistance with a 61-ball 66 at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The ninth-ranked Afghans celebrated only their second-ever win at the World Cup, the other coming against Scotland in 2015 in their first appearance.
England have lost two of their opening three group games, having been thrashed by New Zealand in the tournament opener.

It was Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI win against England.
Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman spun his side to victory with a stunning return of 3-51 in 10 overs. He had also scored a quick-fire 28 off 16 balls in an impressive all-round display.

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz had smacked the English bowling for 80 off 57 balls with eight fours and four sixes before being run out, after England chose to bowl first. Wrist spinner Adil Rashid took 3-42 as Afghanistan’s 284 runs seemed like an under-par total on the tournament’s best batting track.
England’s campaign is now on the brink with tough games ahead including South Africa, India and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka is out of the Cricket World Cup because of a thigh injury and has been replaced in the squad by Chamika Karunaratne.
Shanaka sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s six-wicket loss against Pakistan on Tuesday.

The ICC said Saturday that Shanaka’s injury “needs three weeks to recover” and that the technical committee approved Karunaratne, also an all-rounder, as his replacement.
In the absence of Shanaka, vice captain Kusal Mendis will lead the side. He led Sri Lanka in one of the two warm-up games when Shanaka was rested.

Karunaratne, who has played 23 ODI games, is already with the Sri Lanka squad in India as a traveling reserve and will be available for selection in Sri Lanka’s next game against Australia on Monday.
Sri Lanka also lost their opener against South Africa by 102 runs.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has a fractured thumb but will remain at the Cricket World Cup in hopes of playing next month.

An X-ray revealed an undisplaced fracture, New Zealand Cricket announced Saturday.
Williamson had returned from seven months out with a knee injury and scored 78 in the eight-wicket win.
Tom Blundell will travel to India as backup. Williamson will remain with the squad and is aiming to be available for the final pool matches next month.

“While it’s disappointing news, the initial diagnosis has given us some optimism he can still feature later in the pool play following a period of rest and rehabilitation,” coach Gary Stead said.
“Kane is clearly a massive part of our side and a world-class player and captain, so we’ll look to give him every opportunity we can to return in the tournament,” he added.
New Zealand will next play Afghanistan in Chennai on Wednesday.