Mohammad Nabi’s heroic lighten up a narrow hope of Afghanistan to qualify for Super Six. Nabi’s all-round performance helped Afghanistan to sealed 6 wickets victory against Nepal.
Mohammad Nabi quick fire 34(32) ensured Afghanistan won’t shattered while chasing a small target. Earlier, he sent back 4 Nepal’s batsmen to retain the magical figure of (10-0-33-4).
Winning the toss, surprisingly Nepal opted to bat first. They were introduced today with two changes. Anil Kumar Sah replaced out of form Dilip Nath where Karan KC filled up injured Vesawkar’s vacant. They yet again lost an early wicket, as Anil Kumar Sah (07) departed in 4th over itself. Then Gyanendra Malla was joined by Nepal’s Mr. Everything, their captain Paras Khadka. Captain and vice-captain, tighten up the grip of their bat and created a great platform for their middle-order with 92 runs stand for the second wicket. Gyanendra Malla (23) was struggling but didn’t throw his wicket before Rashid Khan magical delivery found him in front of stump. Paras Khadka, inspirational skipper lead his team’s batting chart yet again with fighting 75 runs which included 10 fours and a six. He left his team with the score of (111-3) at 29th over. But after then, no one really could stay there for a long time which resulted in Nepal’s being bundle out at 49.5 over with 194 runs on board. Nepal could only score 89 runs for last 9 wickets. For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan (3-45) and Mohammad Nabi (4-33) lead the bowling chart.
In reply, Afghanistan started with flurry of boundary with pinch hitter Rashid Khan (21) and Javed Ahmadi (26)shared 28 runs stand in no time. Afghanistan never looked shaky while chasing the target with handy partnerships for almost every wickets. After fell of Rashid Khan, Rahmat Shah (46) joined Ahmadi. They shared 64 runs partnership for the second wicket before Ahmadi departed off Lamichhane. Likewise, Najibullah Zadran (52) and Mohammad Nabi (34) runs resulted in 6 wickets victory for Afghans with 68 balls to spare.
For Nepal, Dipendra Airee claimed two wickets where Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up a wicket each.
Now Group ‘B’ scenario becomes very interesting. Afghanistan has command able chance to qualify for super six, with Hong Kong conceded huge lost (89 runs) against Zimbabwe. Afghanistan is far better in net run rate to depart than Hong Kong with the same number of win. Hong Kong has a match in hand against Nepal. If Hong Kong wins then, they will qualify for Super Six without any interference with 4 points on the bank. Where if they lost against Nepal then, Afghanistan will proceed forward. Nepal needs to beat Hong Kong to keep their ODI status’s hope alive.
