Sports Reporter :
Afghanistan posted a massive 62-run victory against minnows Namibia in their Group-2 match of the ICC T20 World Cup at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Batting first Afghanistan piled up a mammoth total of 160 for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then restricted Namibia to 98 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.
Afghanistan made a good start with the two openers Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad put on together 53 runs before Zazai was caught at the deep square leg by Michael van Lingen off JJ Smit.
Zazai made 33 from 27 balls featuring four fours and two sixes.
After Zazai’s dismissal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (4) was trapped leg before wicket by Jan Nicol when Afghanistan’s total was 68 for the loss of two wickets.
After Gurbaz’s departure, Mohammad Shahzad was caught at the slip by Bernard Scholtz off Ruben
Trumpelmann when Afghanistan’s score was 89 for the loss of three wickets.
Shahzad hit a fine 45. His 33-ball innings saw three fours and two sixes.
Third-down Najibullah Zadran (7) was trapped leg before wicket by Jan Nicol when Afghanistan’s score was 113 for the loss of four wickets.
Second-down Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi built a worthy partnership. They added together 35 runs in the five-wicket stand before Asghar Afghan was caught by Michael van Lingen off Trumpelmann when Afghanistan’s total was 148 for the loss of five wickets.
Mohammad Nabi remained unbeaten with 32. His 17-ball innings had five fours and a sixer.
Asghar Afghan made 31 from 23 balls featuring three fours and a sixer.
Jan Nicol and Trumpelmann bagged two wickets each for 21 and 34 runs respectively.
Besides, JJ Smit took one wicket.
But Namibia failed to face superb and controlled bowling attack of Afghanistan.
Hamid Hassan and Naveen-ul-Haq grabbed three wickets each instead of nine and 26 runs respectively. Gulbadin Naib bagged two wickets in the space of 19 runs.
Rashid Khan took one wicket for 14 runs.
David Weise of Namibia could make a modest score. He scored 26 from 30 balls including two fours.
Naveen-ul-Haq of Afghanistan was adjudged the Man of the Match.
