Explained/ Why England is one of the most underperforming teams in history of ODI World Cup despite 2019 WC win

The English cricket team once again suffered a major upset during the ENG vs AFG ODI World Cup 2023 match and lost the match by 69 runs. Jos Buttler and Co. were not able to chase down 285 runs and were wrapped up by the Afghani spinners for 215. The England vs Afghanistan CWC 2023 match was the first upset of the tournament and there can be many more in the coming days. 

3 things you need to know 

• England cricket team is currently placed in the fifth spot of the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 points table
• Afghanistan's win against England was only their second in the history of the ODI World Cup 
• The Afghani team came into the ENG vs AFG clash after losing its first two games of the CWC 2023 

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Despite 2019 win, Why is England the most underperforming team in the history of the ODI World Cup? 

(English cricket team skipper Jos Buttler dismissed during the ENG vs AFG CWC 2023 match / Image: AP)

England has been the victim of most upsets in the ICC tournaments over the years. England have lost to teams like Ireland, Netherlands, Bangladesh and now Afghanistan which has also resulted in their early exit from various ICC events, Until the ODI World Cup win in the year 2019, the English team never qualified for the semifinals of any 50 over World Cup from the year 1996. Adding more salt to their wound, the English cricket team lost to lower-ranked teams such as Ireland and Bangladesh in the 2011 and 2015 ODI World Cup respectively due to which they were knocked out of the tournament. Apart from the ODI World Cup, England have lost to the Netherlands twice in the 2009 and 2014 T20 World Cups. 

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Will defeat against Afghanistan affect England's CWC 2023 campaign? 

The English cricket team is currently placed in the fifth spot in the ODI World Cup 2023 points table and has a lot to think about after the one-sided loss against Afghanistan. The English team being the defending champions of the tournament was praised by cricket experts ahead of the CWC 2023 but now the team has lost two out of its first three games and will have to play its upcoming matches more sincerely to secure a place in the knockouts of the tournament.