Indian pacer Mohammed Shami revealed that it was MS Dhoni’s advice to bowl a yorker which led to the bowler grabbing a hat-trick in the final over during India’s nerve-wracking victory over Afghanistan in Southampton.

With the Afghans needing 16 runs off the final over, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi hit Shami over long-0n on for a boundary, and as India came under the knife, it was time for Dhoni’s pep talk.

Shami responded with a perfect hat-trick and became only the second Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in World Cup, after Chetan Sharma, who achieved the feat against New Zealand in 1987. Also, this is only the tenth hat-trick in the history of the World Cup.

Speaking about Dhoni’s advice, Shami said, “The plan was simple. To bowl a yorker and even Mahi bhai suggested that. He said, ‘Don’t change anything now as you have a great chance of getting a hat-trick. It’s a rare opportunity and you need to do the same thing. So, I did what exactly I was told,�?Shami told reporters after returning with figures of 4 for 40.

“There was no time to think. You have to back your own skills as you don’t have much option otherwise. If you try more variations, chances of going for runs is more. My thought was to execute my plan rather than trying to read batsman’s mind,�?he added.

With Nabi still on the crease, the game was hanging in the middle of nowhere. And Shami said that although India knew it was irritating, dismissing the all-rounder would swing the pendulum in their favour.

“There was a point when Nabi’s flow was irritating but it’s better if you don’t show your concern or irritation which the batsman would have gauged,�?he said.

“We shouldn’t show our weakness. From the exterior, we should always show aggression. We knew that if Nabi was out, then match belongs us. He was the only batsman who could have built their innings.�?/p>

Shami’s place in the line-up came on the back of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s hamstring injury. Speaking about it, the Bengal pacer said he was only waiting for a chance to come.

“Getting a chance in the playing XI is a bit of luck. I was ready that whenever I get a chance, I will have to utilise it. As far as hat-trick is concerned, it is a rarity at least in the World Cup. I am happy,�?he said.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

Mohammed Shami's World Cup hat-trick that sealed India's victory against Afghanistan was the ultimate reward for his hard work after a "long journey" back to full fitness.

The 28-year-old paceman has had to cope with weight issues, injury and a legal quarrel with his estranged wife.

In 2018, Shami's central contract was withheld because of allegations of domestic violence, although it was later reinstated.

He also struggled with injury that saw him spend nearly a year on the sidelines and led to weight gain.

A fit-again Shami, lean and hungry, was back in the mix for the one-day international series against the West Indies in October and has not looked back since.

"This is a long journey, maybe around two years. Post-injury, I had put on weight and I could feel that," he said after India's win on Saturday.

"After one spell, I would feel tired and there would be tightness in my knee. I had a surgery too. At that point in time, I could sense that if I had to continue playing cricket, I'd better do something extra.

"I have cut down on my food, I follow a diet and people laugh about it when I tell them that. It's not strict but I avoid stuff doctors tell me to. I don't eat sweets or bread. It has helped me a lot."

Shami, appearing in his first match of the tournament in place of injured paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar, was handed the responsibility of bowling the final over of the tense game in Southampton.

Afghanistan needed 16 to win off to reach their target of 225 with three wickets in hand and Mohammad Nabi ratcheted up the nerves by hitting the first ball for four.

But Shami kept his nerve to bowl a dot delivery and then struck three times in three balls.

"There was no time to think, you just had to back yourself and your skills," he said. "I didn't want to try variations because that increases the chances of going for runs.

"MS Dhoni told me to keep bowling yorkers. He said 'don't change anything now, you can get a hat-trick'."

"Getting a chance in the playing XI is a bit of luck. As far as the hat-trick is concerned, it is a rarity at least in the World Cup," said Shami, who returned figures of 4-40.

It was only the second Indian hat-trick in a World Cup game after paceman Chetan Sharma took one against New Zealand at the 1987 World Cup.

"Great bowling by Shami. After 31 years he joined me in the hat-trick club," Sharma said.

"He is one our best fast bowlers around and should have got the man-of-the-match award (which went to bowler Jasprit Bumrah, for his 2-39)."

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

India captain Virat Kohli has been fined 25 percent of his match fee for "excessive appealing" in a tense World Cup victory over Afghanistan, the International Council announced on Sunday.

The star batsman has also had one demerit point added to his disciplinary record after he was rule to have approached experienced Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar in an aggressive manner when appealing an lbw decision during the 29th over of India's nailbiting 11-run win over rank outsiders Afghanistan at Southampton on Saturday.

Kohli was found to have breached Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct, with his offence relating to the clause concerning "excessive appealing during an international match".

The India skipper admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Chris Broad, the former England batsman.

As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

Victory, sealed by a Mohammed Shami hat-trick, saw India remain on course to qualify for the semi-finals from the 10-team group stage but only after bottom of the table Afghanistan threatened to produce one of the all-time great upsets.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib said his inexperienced team were learning "day by day" despite the pain of losing to India when in sight of a famous World Cup win on Saturday.

The unfancied Afghans, playing in just their second World Cup, restricted Virat Kohli's title contenders to 224 for eight in 50 overs in Southampton and were always in with a chance of an upset.

But a Mohammed Shami hat-trick finally ended their resistance and condemned them to an 11-run defeat -- a sixth straight loss at the tournament in England and Wales.

"At the start of the tournament, when we played the first four games, we lost really badly, and also we played against England and now India as strong sides and the other favourites of the tournament," Naib told reporters. 

"So I think we're now getting better and better day by day. This is the team I wanted actually. Also in the batting side. So this is a good sign. 

"These kinds of teams don't give you a single chance and also credit goes to the Indian side, how they bowl, how they field. We did a lot of things good, but in the end we missed it."

Naib, who was only made captain of the one-day side in April, bemoaned the fact that his batsmen did not go on to play decisive innings.

"When we chase this kind of total, like 220, 250, the middle order should go to 50 or 80. Thirty, 20 runs is not enough," he said.

But he said despite the agony of defeat, Afghanistan would take a lot of positives from their performance against unbeaten opponents captained by his favourite player.

A win would have been just the second in their history at World Cups after they notched a single victory, against Scotland, at the 2015 edition.

"When you're playing this kind of team, you learn a lot of things," he said. 

"We learn it with your mistakes. Yeah, the score is chaseable, but I think we didn't take our responsibilities, especially on the batting side.

"We are sad because we had a chance to beat this kind of team. In the World Cup, it's a big achievement for any team. But the big teams, they didn't give a single chance. 

"Today we missed an opportunity to win, to beat India. India is one of the best sides. It's my favourite team. Always my favourite team, and I support the Indian team when I'm watching the Indian team. 

"My favourite is also Virat Kohli, and I played against him. So today I missed the opportunity to beat them. But India is one of the best teams now."

Feature image courtesy: Twitter

Kedar Jadhav hailed the performance of the Indian bowlers as they produced a splendid display to help India beat Afghanistan in a low scoring affair at the 2019 ICC World Cup on Saturday.

Batting first, India could manage 224 for eight and Afghanistan, for a period looked well set to chase down the target. But an inspired performance by Jasprit Bumrah and Mahammad Shami at the death tilted the game in India’s favour.

“We believe in our fast bowlers to do the job for us at the death,�?said Jadhav addressing the post-match press conference. “It’s about how you come back after you are hit for four. And that’s what Shami did today. That’s when character comes into play.

“The pitch was slow so it was difficult to play shots. Our actual plan was 250, but we fell short. We knew we’d need to make up 20 or 30 runs in the field, so credit to the bowlers for defending this total,�?he added.

Jadhav was also a valuable contributor with the bat as his 50 of 66 balls ensured that India crossed the 22-run mark. Coming into the bat at a crucial stage, Jadhav admitted that the pitch was as flat as it looked and it was time for the batsmen to get used to the pace and the bounce on offer. “When I went in to bat, I felt the wicket was not on the flatter side,�?said Jadhav.

“The ball was not coming that easily onto the bat so we had to take our time. And they had two or three quality spinners. And that doesn’t help when the wicket is slow. I think we can definitely improve on this, but I don’t see any other team having three or four quality spinners.�?/p>

That feeling when you have belief in @Jaspritbumrah93 & @MdShami11 courtesy @JadhavKedar #TeamIndia #INDvAFG #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/LBwapJOj9o

�?BCCI (@BCCI) June 22, 2019

Meanwhile, though the Afghan skipper Gulbadin Naib was disappointed that his side couldn’t chase down the required target, he was happy with the way the team bounced back after the humiliating defeat against England in the previous game.  “At one point I thought we might be able to win easily, but in the end, we were all emotional inside,�?said Naib.

“We’re upset because we had a chance for a victory which would be a big achievement for any team. Today we missed the opportunity to beat India. They are my favourite team and I support them when I am watching. Virat Kohli is my favourite player and it was great to play against him. But we came back strongly from our last game, which was important. Rashid had bowled pretty badly against England, and he came back well.�?/p>

Feature image courtesy: Twitter

India struggled to 224 for eight in their 50 overs against World Cup whipping boys Afghanistan, failing to get out of second gear in Saturday's group match in Southampton.

In-form opener Rohit Sharma, who has scored two hundreds so far in the tournament, was dismissed for just one by off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman as unbeaten India made a sluggish start after opting to bat under sunny skies on England's south coast.

The rest of India's powerful top order all got established, with skipper Virat Kohli making 67 from 63 balls.

But none went on to play a decisive innings for the two-time champions in front of thousands of their fanatical supporters.

They hit just 16 boundaries -- including only one six -- against an Afghanistan side who have lost all five of the matches in the tournament so far and at times have looked out of their depth. 

Off-spinner Mujeeb was particularly impressive, conceding just 26 runs in his 10 overs, while leg-spinner Rashid Khan bounced back from the most expensive spell in World Cup history against England to take 1-38.

Sharma's dismissal in the fifth over set the tone for the disappointing Indian display.

It brought star man Kohli to the wicket but India remained subdued and limped to 41-1 after 10 overs.

India lost KL Rahul for 30 with the score on 64 when he top-edged a reverse-sweep into the hands of Hazratullah Zazai at short third man off the bowling of Mohammad Nabi.

Kohli, who scored half-centuries against Australia and Pakistan, reached his fifty off 48 balls, with four fours.

Vijay Shankar was next to go, lbw to leg-spinner Rahmat Shah for 29, leaving India 122-3.

Nabi then claimed the prized wicket of Kohli, who was caught by Shah off the bowling of Nabi to leave India 135-4 in the 31st over.

MS Dhoni struggled to find any fluency, hitting 28 off 52 balls before he was stumped by Ikram Alikhil off the bowling of Rashid.

Hardik Pandya went cheaply and although Kedar Jadhav reached his fifty off 66 balls, Afghanistan will fancy their chances of a major shock.

India had made just one change to their line-up after their win against arch rivals Pakistan, with seam bowler Mohammed Shami replacing the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Afghanistan, bottom of the 10-team World Cup table, made two changes, bringing in Zazai and Aftab Alam for Noor Ali Zadran and Dawlat Zadran.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

Mohammed Shami took a dramatic hat-trick to finally clinch a thrilling 11-run win for India over Afghanistan after the minnows threatened one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history in Southampton on Saturday.

Afghanistan, appearing at only their second World Cup, lost the toss but restricted India to 224 for eight in their 50 overs, giving themselves a genuine chance for a huge upset.

They were well set at 106-2 in the 29th over, even though the run-rate was starting to edge up, but two wickets in one over from paceman Jasprit Bumrah removed Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran batted sensibly to keep their side in the hunt, but when Zadran was caught by Yuzvendra Chahal off Hardik Pandya, Afghanistan were 166-6 in the 42nd over.

Nabi was still there in the final over, with 16 required and drilled Shami's first ball down the ground for four.

With an incredible triumph within touching distance, Nabi was caught by Pandya at long on two balls later.

Shami then clean-bowled Aftab Alam and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to seal a nerve-jangling win with a hat-trick.

"We bowled really well. We did well in batting, but credit to Bumrah for how he bowled in the last two or three overs," frustrated Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib said.

"The total was not that much but you need 80s or 100s -- 30 or 25s are not enough.

"If you chase 250 then middle order batsmen should go longer and take responsibility."

Earlier, an increasingly fraught India were furious when the umpire turned down a huge lbw shout at the start of the 29th over from Bumrah, who rapped Shah on the pads -- Virat Kohli's side had no reviews left.

Just three balls later Shah, on 36, top-edged a hook and Chahal took a fine low catch running in from fine leg, sending the massed ranks of flag-waving Indian supporters wild.

With his final ball of the over Bumrah turned the game sharply back in India's direction when Shahidi could only offer up a simple caught-and-bowled chance and he departed for 21.

Bumrah -- the world's top-ranked one-day international bowler -- finished with figures of 2 for 39 from his 10 overs, bowling superbly at the death.

Shami finished with figures of 4-40.

"When the captain has so much trust in you, it gives you a lot of confidence to express yourself. That helps me keep a clear head," said man-of-the-match Bumrah.

"There was reverse swing, so you had to rely on your yorkers."

Afghanistan have been the whipping boys of the tournament in England and Wales, often looking out of their depth against the more established teams.

Saturday's match was only the third one-day international between the two teams and defeat for India would have been a major embarrassment despite last year's tie in the Asia Cup.

India were on the back foot right at the start of the match when in-form opener Rohit Sharma, who has scored two hundreds so far in the tournament, was dismissed for just one by off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

The rest of India's powerful top order all got established, with Kohli making 67 from 63 balls, but none went on to play a decisive innings for the two-time champions.

They hit just 16 boundaries -- including only one six.

Off-spinner Mujeeb was particularly impressive, conceding just 26 runs in his 10 overs, while leg-spinner Rashid Khan bounced back from the most expensive spell in World Cup history against England to take 1-38.

Kohli, who scored half-centuries against Australia and Pakistan, reached his third consecutive fifty of the tournaments off 48 balls, with four fours, but was caught by Shah off the bowling of Nabi.

Kedar Jadhav reached his fifty off 66 balls, giving the scorecard a look of respectability and the total ultimately proved just too much for Afghanistan.

Feature images courtesy: Twitter/ @BCCI

India's cricket board were criticised on social media after a tweet from their official account used the word "thump" to describe the team's tense 11-run World Cup victory over minnows Afghanistan on Saturday.

Gritty Afghanistan gave title contenders India a big scare in Southampton after restricting Virat Kohli's side to 224 for eight and then taking the chase to the final over.

Mohammad Nabi nearly pulled it off for Afghanistan, but India paceman Mohammed Shami took a hat-trick to seal the game in the last over as the underdogs were bowled out for 213.

The official Twitter handle of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wrote, "And we march on - #TeamIndia thump Afghanistan by 11 runs".

The message soon became the butt of jokes as cricket fans noticed the gloating tone of the BCCI tweet.

#AfghanAtalan haven't played at home since forever. Their 'home' is godforsaken Greater Noida. We'll not even get into comparing salaries & skills of the players. Yet, they were just 3 good hits away from one of the biggest World Cup upsets. #thumped, not quite //t.co/erIFabRCaG

�?Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) June 22, 2019

"Thump? That is hugely disingenuous to a team that pushed you to the last over. Well played Afghanistan and perhaps India can learn how to win graciously," a Twitter user, who goes by the name leebailey, said.

Another user posted, "That's not called "thump". That's called escaping by the skin of their teeth. Well played Afghanistan!"

Someone needs to look up the true meaning of the word thump //t.co/wJucOEVQHl

�?Tim-CricketGuy (@Tim32_cricket) June 22, 2019

Two-time world champions India are unbeaten with four wins and a washout from five games as they move closer to a semi-final place.

Afghanistan remain bottom of the table with six losses.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ BCCI

Yuzvendra Chahal says being pushed hard by lowly Afghanistan in the World Cup will boost India's confidence for the rest of the tournament.

Virat Kohli's India have swept all before them in England and Wales so far, beating South Africa, Australia and Pakistan and taking a point from an abandoned game against New Zealand.

They are now third in the 10-team table, behind Australia and New Zealand, with the top four qualifying for next month's semi-finals.

Saturday's match against Afghanistan in Southampton was not expected to trouble second-ranked India but in the end, they scraped home by just 11 runs.

India posted 224 for eight in their 50 overs and a Mohammed Shami hat-trick finally finished off Afghanistan, who have now lost all six of their matches at the tournament.

"Obviously, most of the time when we bowl, our team has scored 340, 350 and especially when you score 240 and 230 there are some negative points and some positives," said leg-spinner Chahal.

"When you win these types of games you have more confidence you can score 240 or 250 and as bowlers we can defend this."

Chahal, who took two wickets in Afghanistan's reply, added: "At first we thought we could go to 260, 270 but they bowled so well so we were like, if we can score 230, 240 it is not an easy wicket if we put more pressure on them so we would have a chance."

When asked if India's bowlers had proved they could defend low totals, he said psychology was key.

"Sometimes you can't even defend 350 and sometimes you can defend 250. It's all about your mindset," he said.

"We knew this game was very crucial -- win this game and we would go to second or third position and after that we are playing England and West Indies and Sri Lanka. They are good teams."

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / BCCI

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib has called on cricket's top teams to play more matches against his country in future to aid their development.

Naib's side have lost all five of their matches at the current World Cup ahead of Saturday's clash with title contenders India in Southampton.

The minnows are competing in their second World Cup, with some critics claiming they have failed to progress since their appearance in Australia and New Zealand four years ago.

The Afghans beat Scotland in the last World Cup but have lost to Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa and England in the 2019 tournament.

Naib insists he is still proud of his team's efforts and sees signs they are headed in the right direction.

But to develop enough to take on the game's big guns, Naib is convinced Afghanistan must be given more regular matches against the likes of India and World Cup holders Australia.

"Sure, we want (that) also. If you look, we're not playing against the other teams, our squad, but we do very well," Naib told reporters on Friday.

"We want to improve our experience, so we should play against the good teams like India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan.

"If you're targeting the top five or top six teams, we should play a lot with them. If we play with them, maybe Afghanistan will be losing the matches, or we will be struggling, but one day Afghanistan will be different. 

"So it's good for us, so if we play good cricket with this kind of team, maybe it's a great experience, especially for the team and for the boys."

Afghanistan's only genuine chance of a win so far in this World Cup came in a rain-affected game against Sri Lanka when they were unable to chase a revised target of 187.

Regardless of whether or not Afghanistan manage a win in their remaining four matches, Naib believes his country's presence at the World Cup is proof of their progress.

"If you look at the last World Cup, we played five, six games. Now here we're playing nine games and each team. So there's much difference," he said.

"So you can face different kinds of teams and different kind of conditions and pitches. We learned a lot of things the last four or five games.

"Now everyone knows Afghanistan is growing team in the world cricket. Now for me it's a proud moment that we're in top ten teams.

"We are here. It's a high-ranking tournament. It's a World Cup. We cannot say that everything is an easy out."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Saeed Khan