Afghanistan qualify for World Twenty20
Afghanistan reached the 2012 World Twenty20 on Thursday with a 47-run
win over Namibia, a second successive appearance at the showpiece coming
just four years after they were playing division five cricket.
In a battle of two undefeated teams, Afghanistan were bowled out for
146 in their 20 overs before Namibia were dismissed for 99 in the 19th
over.
Despite the loss, Namibia will get a second chance of making the
World Twenty20 when they face either Ireland or the Netherlands in
Saturday's second qualifying final.
Afghanistan, who also played in the 2010 World Twenty20 in the
Caribbean, saw openers Karim Sadiq (28) and Javed Ahmadi (24) give their
side a flying start with a partnership of 57 by the seventh over.
But Namibia slammed the brakes on the scoring rate with skipper Sarel
Burger taking with 3 for 16. However, the African side never recovered
from a precarious 18 for four by the fourth over with seamer Dawlat
Zadran boasting figures of 3 for 1 off his first two overs.
Burger and Nicholaas Scholtz, with 22 runs each, gave a little
middle-order impetus, but Afghanistan were simply too powerful as they
coasted to a place in the finals in Sri Lanka from September 18 to
October 7. Right-arm fast bowler Aftab Alam claimed 4 for 25, sweeping
up the tail in the process.
“A second successive appearance for Afghanistan in a global ICC event
after having only started to play internationally in the World Cricket
League Division 5 in 2008, is very impressive,” said International
Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat.
“I expect there will be lots of celebrations in Kabul and why not? By
qualifying for the World T20 Afghanistan will get another chance to
showcase its talents and passion for the game of cricket. AFP
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