In a exciting game, Afghanistan pulled off a thrilling win over Kenya off the last ball of the match, with only one wicket in hand. Needing 6 off the last over, they took the advantage when Khaliq Dad sweeped past short fine leg to run three. A leg bye followed, before a dot ball put the pressure back on. A quick run single made the score level; but Hamid Hassan, when he only needed one run, skied the ball to be caught in the covers. One run needed off one ball. All the Kenya fielders in the circle, hunting for the run-out and the tie. Jimmy Kamande, the Kenya off-spinner, the bowler. Khaliq Dad, Afghanistan’s number 9, the batsman. Kamande, looking to bowl as straight as possible, drifted onto the pads; Khaliq calmly slotted the ball through square leg for a boundary, and the win. There’s were no wild celebrations from the Afghan players – that was left to the Afghanistan supporters and their vuvuzelas – as if they expect to win such matches now.
The victory looked unlikely at two stages in the chase. Afghanistan were struggling when, in the face of good, qualify bowling from the Odhiambo brothers, they fell to 51-3. A well-constructed stand between Samiullah Shenwari, promoted up the order to 4, and Asgher Stanikzai put Afghanistan as firm favourites. However a manic period, in which 3 wickets fell for just 11 runs, reduced Afghanistan to 134-6. Stanikzai, the ball after Shenwari brought up his fifty, miscued a full toss to be caught. Nawroz Mangal, demoted down the order, edged behind. And then one of the most stupidest run-outs occurred: Shenwari nudged the ball down to short fine leg, and Karim Sadiq charged down the wicket like the mad man he undoubtedly is. Shenwari stood his ground and Sadiq was run out without facing a ball. Afghanistan now needed over a hundred runs with only four wickets in hand.
When you are in some trouble and the run-rate in increasing, there’s few better men than Mohammad Nabi to to do the job. Still, coming in at number 8 is too low for a batsman of his class.
After consolidating, Afghanistan took the batting powerplay – five overs earlier than their lose against Ireland, and showing they have learnt a lesson.
Shenwari fell for a one-day best score of 82 in the first over of the powerplay. Nabi, now joined by Khaliq Dad, batted sensibly to take the equation down to a run a ball off the last five overs. Five overthrows and a four by Nabi made things favourable, but, with the game in his hands, Nabi holed out on the boundary. A mammoth six by Hamid Hassan left the match heading to a tense conclusion.
At the start of the day Afghnaistan lost the toss – again – and had to bat first – again. Like the first two matches Afghanistan took early wickets. And like the first games, Afghanistan didn’t deliver the knockout blow, as Kenya made a repectable 233-7.
Hamid Hassan, bowling with good pace and accuracy, and Samiullah Shenwari, the star with the bat, were the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan.
Though it was the bowler Khaliq Dad who stayed cool with the bat and took Afghanistan to a much-needed win.
Click here for the scorecard. Click here for highlights.
Ireland and Netherlands won the other two games today. Ireland eased to victory against Scotland, while Netherlands thrashed Canada.
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.009 |
| Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.993 |
| Scotland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.003 |
| Afghanistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.205 |
| Canada | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.928 |
| Kenya | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.097 |
With their unhealthy run-rate, Afghanistan will have to win their final two games to qualify for the final. Next match is against Netherlands on Wednesday.
