Full of thrill & drama, Afghan-India match ends in a tie

KABUL sprang a major surprise on Wednesday when they held India to a draw in their last Super Four stage match of the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Chock-full of drama and sensation, the encounter went down to the wire, with world-class leggie Rashid Khan having the last man caught within the circle on the penultimate ball of the final over. 

The last hope for India, Jadeja was forced to bite the dust. Afghanistan literally bowled their heart out to keep an uneaten side to a draw — thanks to a blistering ton by Mohammad Shahzad and intelligent bowling by Rashid and teammates.

Both squads did all they could to win, but the Afghans played with a lot of courage and application till the end. They posted a total of 252 runs, with Shahzad hitting a brilliant 124 and Mohammad Nabi 64 

In a post-match tweet, Indian skipper MS Dhoni praised the meteoric rise of Afghanistan’s cricket. “The way they have played Asia Cup, it’s really commendable and we have enjoyed it.

“Today also they played well. The way they fielded and bowled tight lines was commendable. I wouldn’t say anything went wrong. To start off, it was like a handicap in golf.

We didn’t go with a full-strength side. The first over when a bowler bowls you want them to swing…Shot selection is something we could have done better. There were a couple of run-outs and a couple of things we cannot talk about because I don’t want to get fined.”

For Afghanistan, already eliminated from the tournament, the outcome represented a measure of consolation. In the previous two outings against Pakistan and Bangladesh, they had gone down fighting.

Shahzad was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superb century.

Having already stormed into the final, to be played in Dubai on Friday India will face the winners of the Pakistan-Bangladesh fixture. For the holders, the match was inconsequential.

mud

Visits: 1