Bangladesh narrowly defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets with just 3 balls remaining to win gold in the Asian Games. A late burst from lower-order batsmen Sabbir Rahman of 33 runs off 18 balls took the game from an Afghan side who looked at one stage to be comfortably winning.
After an impressive victory over Pakistan confidence was high in the Afghanistan camp but they were quickly under the cost as Bangladesh reduced them to 66-6.
However, just as in the last match, youngster Shabir Noori and the consistent Asghar Stanikzai steadily re-built – this time with a valuable 34 run partnership.
Noori fell for 25 but Stanikzai stayed until the end of the innings, progressing to 38 off 36 with 3 fours and 1 six, as Afghanistan finished on 118-8 in 20 overs. As shown against Pakistan, a total not to be sniffed at.
Bangladesh faltered regularly through their innings, and when they slipped to 75-5 Afghanistan became favourites for the first time in the match.
Sabbir Rahman and ODI international Naeem Islam gradually brought Bangladesh back into the game, though.
The game’s decisive twist was the 19th and penultimate over. Bangladesh needed a tricky but very gettable 19 runs off two overs. Captain Mohammad Nabi could have given the ball to Hamid Hassan, who had one over left, or leg-spinner Samiullah Shenwari, but instead he opted for Karim Sadiq, who already had two wickets.
It turned out to be a big mistake as Rahman smashed the third and fourth balls for six to take 17 runs off the over.
Bangladesh sealed the win and the gold in the final over, winning with five wickets and three balls left.
Nabi was understandably gutted but still insisted he was pleased with his side’s efforts.
“I am happy with today’s silver. It means a lot to all our people back home, who are badly affected with the war,” Nabi said. “Even though we lost the gold today, this silver medal will give enough inspiration to our administrators to start building playing facilities so that more and more young players could be attracted toward this game.”
As Nabi said, Afghanistan run to the final will have helped convinced administrators to invest in much-needed facilities. As well, their performance will have ensured even more people become interested in cricket in Afghanistan.
To see the full scorecard of the final on cricinfo, click here.
First of all many thanks for the Admin who provided Afghans with such website through which all the cricket fans in Afghanistan can share their views, suggestions and feelings for the Afghan cricket team.
I congratulate the Afghan cricket team for wining the silver medal.
They played really though wining and losing is the part of game the thing which is to be praised is the good performance which afghan team did very well at the end i wish the afghan cricket team more successes in their careers.
I’m an English cricket but just wanted to wish the Afghan team the best of luck for the future. I followed their win over Scotland in the summer on Cric info and cheered when they won (not just because of who they beat). Good luck, hope to see you in England in the future
Yeah I meant English cricket fan. Apologies
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I’m not a huge fan of cricket, but I did get a chance to watch the cricket match between my coutry Afghanistan and Pakistan. I have to say after watching the victorious game I felt like we Afghans really have something great to offer not only to cricket but to the world of sports in general. There is just so much talent that the people of Afghanistan have, they just need a platform on which they can bring those talents to fruitition. The Asian games are an example of such a platform, and God willing in the future Asian games we will be victorious with Gold and show the world we have what it takes! Long Live Afghanistan!
Afghanistan lost to Bangladesh,it’s not the main news. Afghanistan fought to win against Bangladesh,it’s the biggest news. Bangladesh is a world class team. They have already beat all of the test playing country. So,it’s a good news that Afghanistan could fight against Bangladesh.
Dear Afghan Cricket Team,
first of all salam to all my brothers i am bashir and iam realy nervies about this that weather afghanistan will play worldcup 20-twenty in comming days or not ? and my next question is regarding that has afghanistan having international ODI matches in comming days ot months…? i am witing for your quick respone sir…..
Hi Bashir,
The next T20 World Cup wold be held in Sri Lanka next year i.e. 2012. The qualifiers for Afghanistan are later on this year and the first quarter of next year as per the schedule here
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/events_and_awards/twenty20/qualifier.php
So, there is still a lot of time for the qualifiers and to decide whether Afghanistan cricket team will play in World Cup T20 next year. Hopefully they will do well in the qualifiers and play in it.
I am not an expert in regards to Afghanistan cricket but I dont think Afghanistan has any international ODIs soon as per the schedule on Cricinfo etc.