England rallied from a dreadful start against Afghanistan to claim a 15-run win in Delhi and keep alive their hopes of a World Twenty20 semi-final.
After five overs England were progressing nicely on 41 for five – Jason Roy having lost his leg stump to an ill-advised charge at Amir Hamza.
Having beaten Vince once on the outside edge in the sixth over, Nabi tossed the next one up, gathering the gentle return catch that sailed back down the track.
That brought an off-form Morgan to the crease and he simply froze, shouldering arms to his first delivery, which carried straight on to flatten his off stump.
An enthusiastic lbw appeal against Stokes was not enough to earn a hat-trick but the over ended with a farcical run-out.
Root was left stranded after sprinting for a single that Stokes rejected but was given a hint of a reprieve when Nabi broke the bails with his body.
Root flung himself towards the crease but Nabi composed himself, lifted a stump and completed the run out in time.
England had somehow moved from 41 for one to 42 for four in six balls.
Buttler eked six from 10 balls before hitting an uppish drive off Samiullah Shenwari and being brilliantly caught by Nabi, while Stokes managed just seven.
He departed in embarrassing fashion, swivelling to pull Khan’s googly but landing on his backside after under-edging into his stumps. An image that eloquently summed up England’s innings so far.
By now a score of even 100 was in doubt but, after Khan added the scalp of Chris Jordan, Moeen and Willey finally unleashed some clean hitting to finish the innings.
Forty-four flowed off the last two three overs, massaging the total towards respectability, pushed along by three sixes and 25 runs off Hamza in the 19th.
Banana skin avoided. Important win. Competition still alive. That's all. #ENG #WT20
— David Willey (@david_willey) March 23, 2016
The portly opener Mohammad Shahzad edged the first ball of the innings for four but fell to the third, Willey swinging one in and trapping him lbw.
England struck in each of the next two overs too, captain Asghar Stanikzai wafting Jordan to Root at slip and Gulbadin Naib giving Willey a second success with a ugly chip to cover.
At the end of the six-over powerplay they had just 28 for three, with England already back in control.
Khan punched Moeen to cover and Noor Ali gave away a promising knock by gifting Rashid a return catch.
Afghanistan struck a few decent blows as the game advanced to its conclusion, but they were too regularly interrupted by wickets.
Shafiqullah Shafaq kept all results on the table with 35no from 20 balls, but Stokes held his nerve at the close.
