NEW DELHI: Moeen Ali’s timely cameo helped England overcome a spirited Afghanistan by 15 runs but only after surviving a scare against the minnows at the World Twenty20 in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Moeen’s unbeaten 41 pulled England, champions in 2010, out of a tough spot to post 142 for seven after opting to bat and then the bowlers did their bit to restrict Afghanistan to 127 for nine at Feroz Shah Kotla.
The results means that confirms that Asghar Stanikzai’s side is out of the hunt for a semi-final spot after three straight losses in the Super 10 stage.
An unbroken 57-run eighth wicket partnership between Moeen and David Willey (20) made sure England kept their winning momentum going and keep their hopes alive for a place in the last four.
But the Afghan slow bowlers made England sweat on a hot and sunny afternoon in the Indian capital to reduce them to 85 for seven.