Afghanistan crush Kenya in first T20 match

KABUL routed Kenya by 106 runs in their first T20 series encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Monday night.

Afghanistan won the toss and set the opposition a formidable target of 163 runs in what appeared an utterly one-sided day-night match, shown live on the state-run television.

Mohammad Shahzad (36), Nawroz Mangal (43), Samiullah Shinwari (39) and Mohammad Nabi (26) batted with tremendous aggression, taking the home side to an imposing total, Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman Farid Hotak said.

While chasing the target, Kenya collapsed like house of cards as Hamid Hassan and Mirwais Ashraf ripped through top order. Hassan claimed three scalps and Ashraf two to restrict the rivals to a paltry 58.

Samiullah Shinwari also dismissed two opposion batsmen, as Shahpur Zadran and Hamza Hotak bagged one wicket apiece to make short work of Kenya in the 19th over, Hotak said over the telephone from Sharjah.

If the winners clinch both ODI matches against the Kenyans, Afghanistan will seal a spot in the 2015 World Cup spot. If they fail to do so, the Afghans will head to New Zealand for a second chance to qualify.

PAN Monitor

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