Afghans march into T20 Qualifier final

KABUL T20 Qualifier final in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an official said.

Opting to bat first, the national side rattled up 177 in the stipulated 20 overs, with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad smashing a quickfire 64. He slammed three fours and five towering sixes in an unbeaten 38-ball knock. 

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman Nusratullah Wafa told Pajhwok Afghan News over the telephone from Dubai that Asghar Stanikzai (26), Mohammad Nabi (22) and Karim Sadiq (22) were the other principal scorers for the winners.

Together with Nabi, Shahzad put on 56 runs for the fourth wicket before joining Gulbadin Naib in an unfinished 47-run sixth wicket partnership. Nabi struck a breezy 26 not out, including three sixes, off eight balls.

Bermuda were restricted to 162 for seven, despite Janeiro Tucker’s thrilling 16-ball innings of 37. He hit four consecutives sixes off Samiullah Shinwari  before being dismissed.

Aftab Alam was the pick of Afghanistan’s bowlers, capturing three wickets for 23 in his four-over spell. Shahzad, who played a key role in the team’s emergence as Group A leader with seven triumphs in a row, was adjudged the Man of the Match.

In the final, to be played on Wednesday, Afghanistan will take on the Group B leader. Namibia and Ireland are in contention for the slot, the PCB spokesman said. The 1st Qualifying Final winners will make their way to the tournament proper to be played in Sri Lanka from September 18 to October 7.

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