Afghanistan storm into T20 Cup semis

KABUL on Sunday thrashed Kuwait by four wickets, booking a berth in the semifinals of the ACC Twenty20 Cup, an official said.

Put in to bat, Kuwait were dismissed for 133 runs, with Samiullah Shinwari and Nasim Barez taking three wickets apiece, said the cricket board spokesman. Aftab Alam and captain Mohammad Nabi took two wickets each.

In reply, Afghanistan reached the target in the 20th over with four wickets in hand, according to Farid Hotak.

Karim Sadiq chipped in with 46 runs, Fazl Rahman 24, Najibullah Zadran 26, Shafiqullah Shafaq 10 and Gulbadin Naib 17 to help their side emerge as Group leaders.

Afghanistan earlier defeated Bahrain and Oman, but lost to the UAE.

Afghanistan with six points from four matches and a superior net run rate than the third-placed Kuwait made their way to the semifinals. They will take on Hong Kong or Nepal.

ma/mud

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