Afghans make India work hard for win
Afghanistan were the best of the minnow sides to compete at the World Twenty20 thus far, doing better than Zimbabwe or Ireland despite losing by 23 runs against India in Colombo.
Afghanistan were the best of the minnow sides to compete at the World Twenty20 thus far, doing better than Zimbabwe or Ireland despite losing by 23 runs against India in Colombo.
India made 159 for five in their innings after being put in to bat, with Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina making sure the score looked decent after some good bowling by the Afghans.
The reply was an interesting one, and despite losing flurries of wickets, Afghanistan made sure the Indians had to focus on getting the win, all out for 136 in the final over.
The Indian innings was not a fluid one, and Shapoor Zadran was superb in his opening overs, removing both Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag to leave India on 22 for two. Kohli and Yuvraj Singh pushed the score to 68 before the latter went for 18, caught by an impressive Shapoor.
If Afghanistan hadn't dropped four catches, two of which were sitters off Kohli and Raina, the outcome could have been very different, and they will be gutted about a poor fielding display in the latter overs ruining what could have been a superb bowling effort.
The minnows looked assured when they came out to bat, and Mohammad Shahzad even gave Dhoni's patented 'helicopter shot' a try to great effect, before being dismissed for 18. Yuvraj went on a rampage at this point, taking three quick wickets to rip the heart out of the top order.
Ravi Ashwin and Lakshmi Balaji also contributed, despite getting tapped for some runs, with Mohammad Nabi and Karim Shafiq adding 31 and 26 respectively as they kept up with the run rate.
It was a few runs too far in the end though, those 14 wides coming back to haunt them, as Afghanistan gave up the ghost with three balls to go, Balaji taking his wicket tally up to three for the game.
Afghanistan: Sadiq, Stanikzai, Shahzad(w), Mangal(c), Nabi, Shafiq, Naib, Shenwari, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Najibullah Zadran
India: Gambhir, Sehwag, Virat, Yuvraj, Rohit, Raina, Dhoni(w/c), Irfan, Ashwin, Balaji, Zaheer
Latest
-
NewsAzeem Rafiq: Yorkshire are protecting players and coach who used racist language
Yorkshire say there was “no question” Rafiq was the victim of racial harassment and bullying during his first spell at the county.
-
NewsECB confirm chairman Ian Watmore is to step down with immediate effect
Watmore, 63, has reached a mutual agreement to leave his role after only 10 months following the end of the domestic season.
-
NewsBen Stokes undergoes more finger surgery to leave Ashes participation in doubt
Stokes has been on a sabbatical since the end of July.
-
NewsProductive conversations take place as Ashes resolution moves closer
The marquee series between cricket’s oldest rivals is scheduled to begin in Brisbane on December 8.
-
NewsMichael Holding calls on people to ‘stop being silent’ and ’embarrass racists’
The 67-year-old feels everyone can play their part by adopting an “anti-racist” mindset.
-
NewsAustralia’s Aaron Finch indicates Ashes series resolution is close
The one-day captain said he had sympathy for England’s players.
-
NewsGeorge Dockrell relishing batting up the order for Ireland
Dublin-born Dockrell is eyeing boundaries, not wickets, at the Twenty20 World Cup.
-
NewsEngland under fire from cricketing greats Ian Botham and Michael Holding
Botham suggested some players “don’t fancy” this winter’s Ashes while Holding accused the ECB of “Western arrogance” over the cancelled Pakistan tour.
-
NewsMichael Holding accuses ECB of ‘Western arrogance’ over cancelled Pakistan tour
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the scheduled trip had been called off because of concerns over “mental and physical well-being”.
-
NewsIan Botham questions England’s desire to play ‘ultimate test’ in Australia
The five-Test Ashes series is in doubt due to strict coronavirus restrictions.