Afghanistan qualify for Super-10 eliminating Zimbabwe by 59 runs

ICC Associate member Afghanistan qualified for the Super-10 stage of the ICC World Twenty20 beating full member Zimbabwe by 59 runs in a must-win Group B match at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur on Saturday With the day’s feat, Afghanistan maintained their all-win record against their superiors and ICC full member Zimbabwe, playing five T20 Internationals. Earlier, four times they’ve met, and four times the full member have been humbled by the associates. Afghanistan will start their World T20 campaign taking on Sri Lanka on March 17 in Kolkata. Replaying to Afghanistan’s mammoth total of 186 for 6 in the day’s match, Zimbabwe, who were made to chase for the first time in the ongoing World T20 qualifiers, were all out for 127 runs in 19.4 overs losing wicket on a regular interval and at one stage they were struggling at 98 runs 8 in 16.4 overs. Tail-ender batman cum right arm fast medium bowler Tinashe Panyangara, who earlier grabbed three wickets for 32 runs, scored the team highest 17 runs off just seven balls, featuring two over boundaries. Besides, Sikandar Raza (15), Vusi Sibanda (13), SC Williams (13), Hamilton Masakadza (11) and Elton Chigumbura (10) were the other contributors for Zimbabwe scoring the double digit runs. Rashif Khan grabbed three wickets for 11 runs while Hamid Hassan took two for 11 runs. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan made a good start scoring 49 runs in the opening stand in 4.5 overs. After the departure of opener Mohammad Shahzad contributing 23-ball 40 runs with seven fours and one six leaving team total 49 for 1, Afghanistan faced a batting jolt losing three quick wickets –Asghar Stanikzai (0), Gulbadin Naib (7) and Noor Ali Zadran (10)-for 63 runs for 4 in 8 overs. But number five Samiulla Shrenwari pairing with most reliable batsman Mohammad Nabi carried the team total in a respectable position contributing 98 runs in the 5th wicket stand and that guided the team to a comfortable total of 186 runs for 6 in allocated 20 overs Number six Mohammad Nabi made a half century quick-firing 32-ball 52 runs featuring four fours and two sixes while Samiullah scored 43 runs off 37 runs hitting four fours. Right arm fast medium bowler Tinashe Panyangara grabbed three wickets for 32 runs while SC Williams and DT Tiripano took one wicket each. — Dhaka, Mar 12 (UNB)