Iceland at centre of extraordinary Cricket World Cup controversy
Iceland Cricket has been forced to apologise after sparking controversy with a "rubbish tweet" at the World Cup.
The Twitter handle that has become synonymous with humorous commentary in the world of cricket decided to try its brand of comedy on Afghanistan bowler, Rashid Khan.
Regarded as one of the finest spinners in the world, the Afghan tweaker had a match to forget against England as he set an unwanted new World Cup record.
On the back of a record-breaking century from England skipper Eoin Morgan, Rashid went on to concede the most runs by an individual bowler in the history of the World Cup.
To make matters even worse for Rashid, the spinner could have had Morgan out on 28, however, the England skipper was dropped in the deep by Dawlat Zadran.
Incredibly, Rashid didn't even see out the full 10 overs at his disposal, finishing with figures of 0/110 off nine overs.
It prompted the controversial tweet from Iceland Cricket, that. was roundly condemned by the cricketing fraternity.
We’ve just heard that Rashid Khan has scored Afghanistan’s first century of the #CWC19! Wow! 110 from 56 balls. The most runs ever scored by a bowler in the World Cup or something. Well batted young man. #ENGvAFG #AFGvENG pic.twitter.com/3vklzCeIJt
— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) June 18, 2019
Lack of respect this.... https://t.co/KLcweDIfiX
— Jason Gillespie 🌱🌈 (@dizzy259) June 18, 2019
Rubbish tweet. Rather than trying to be funny why not be respectful to someone that has done so much for cricket and especially associate members 🤬 https://t.co/0z3F8KiS82
— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) June 18, 2019
Rubbish tweet. Rather than trying to be funny why not be respectful to someone that has done so much for cricket and especially associate members 🤬 https://t.co/0z3F8KiS82
— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) June 18, 2019
The furore around the poor attempt at humour eventually led to an apology from Iceland Cricket.
We’re really sorry.
Mick Lewis goes for 113 off 60.
Stuart Broad goes for 36 off 6.
Ben Stokes goes for 24 off 4.
Everybody had a laugh at them.
We didn’t see this as any different.
But evidently it is.
Hands up. We apologise.@JofraArcher @lukewright204 @ish_sodhi @dizzy259— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) June 19, 2019
Host nation looking ominous
Morgan's six-hitting spree in his career-best 148 set the tone for England's team total of 25 sixes, which was also a new ODI innings record.
The Dubliner's innings, which featured 118 runs in boundaries, was all the more impressive as Morgan had been doubtful for this match with a back spasm suffered in England's win over the West Indies, in which he could not bat.
Morgan's masterclass was the centrepiece of England's 397-6, with Afghanistan, suffering their fifth defeat in five matches, posting their highest World Cup total of 247-8 in defeat.
"I'm getting quite old, running around with a bad back, I never thought in my wildest dreams I'd produce an innings like that!" Morgan said.
"I had an extremely bad back after the last game but our medical staff have done wonders with medication and extensive treatment. I have pretty much been living with the physio.
"It was a special day. It's the World Cup. We're loving playing in it. On the big stage, it is nice to do."
England's total was the highest of the tournament so far and the largest the host's had made at any World Cup, surpassing their 386-6 against Bangladesh in Cardiff 10 days ago.
With agencies