Centurion Mangal puts Afghanistan on top

Afghanistan440 for 6 (Mangal 168*, Ashraf 62*, Odhiambo 3-68) v Kenya
Scorecard

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal hit a sparkling unbeaten 168 to leave the visitors in a commanding position after day one of the Intercontinental Cup game against Kenya in Nairobi.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Afghanistan lost debutant Javed Ahmadi for 11, trapped lbw by medium-pacer Thomas Odoyo. This early wicket wasn’t to hold the Afghans back, though, as number three Mohammad Shahzad launched a thrilling counter-attack while opener Sadiq held on from the other end. Shahzad blasted 12 fours and a six before being dismissed for 72 off 68 balls.

Sadiq fell next having made 55 as Afghanistan stumbled in the afternoon session – struggling at 210-5 when Mohammad Nabi departed. Captain Mangal and Samiullah Shenwari led Afghanistan into a position of strength though, adding 93 for the seventh wicket.

Shenwari went for 44 to give Nehemiah Odhiambo, the most impressive of the Kenyan bowlers, his third wicket. Mirwais Ashraf, fresh from his lighting quick hundred in a warm-up game in Sharjah, came in next and put on an unbeaten stand of 137 with Mangal to put the score well beyond 400.

Mangal struck 23 fours and a six in his 185-ball stay and was there at the end with Afghanistan in control at 440-6. Thanks to the quick-scoring, the Afghans have plenty of time to push the score on in the morning and then take the 20 wickets they need for a win.

Note: whatever of the result of this match, Afghanistan are in the Intercontinental Cup final against Scotland, to be played in early December in the UAE.