Afghanistan won the match against Namibia by 62 runs. The match was played at Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan now have an opportunity to create history. They have won 2 matches out of 3. Their NRR (Net Run Rate) is unimaginable in Group 2 which is +3.097. They just know need to upset India or New Zealand. Their chances have incremented because they are going to play remaining 2 matches at Abu Dhabi only.
Afghanistan had won the toss & elected to bat first. The power-play was fruitful as they scored 50 runs for no wickets. The openers laid the platform as Shahzad & Zazai were involved in 53 run partnership. Hazratullah Zazai scored 33 runs in 27 balls. Mohammad Shahzad scored 45 in 33 balls. Both the batters were in destruction mode.
Asghar Afghan the senior batter in the team had announced before the match that he is going to retire. Guard of honor was given to Asghar by the entire team of Namibia. He was one of the main architect & reason behind Afghanistan’s rise in World Cricket. He scored a cameo of 31 runs in 23 balls. Mohammad Nabi scored a quick fire cameo of 32 runs in 17 balls.
The template of Afghanistan’s innings was that they every batter enjoyed his presence. Afghanistan had put on 160 runs which were challenging. Namibia’s bowlers were left shocked & stunned as no trick in the book worked. Loftie-Eaton the right arm leg spinner was the pick of the bowlers took 2 wickets & gave away 21 runs.
In response to 161 target Afghanistan hit Namibia to the bottom. Power-play overs produced 3 wickets for 29 runs. Namibia tried to somehow balance the run chase but couldn’t. Hamid Hassan replaced Mujeeb in playing 11. Hamid made most of the opportunity as he was bowling sharp Yorkers. He took 3 wickets & gave away 9 runs in his spell. Naveen & the entire bowling unit massacred Namibia’s batting line up. Scotland avoided humiliation by not getting bowled out as they ended their innings on 98 for 9 wickets.
Namibia were never in the chase & in the match as the experience of Afghanistan paid off. Namibia’s remaining matches are against star-studded: India, Pakistan & New Zealand. By playing against these teams Namibia will gain invaluable experience & should focus on process. as such loss can dishearten any team.
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