Muscat, Oct 25
Afghanistan’s spinners and batsmen scripted a sensational performance to outclass Scotland by 130 runs in their Group II match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in Sharjah on Monday.
With the bat, Najibullah Zadran (59, 34b, 5×4, 3×6) and Hazratullah Zazai (44, 30b, 3×4, 3×6) blasted away the Scottish bowlers to take Afghanistan to a might 190/4. And then the spinners took over.
Mujeeb ur Rahman (5/20) and Rashid Khan (4/9) produced a riveting display of spin to leave the Scots clueless on how to play the turning ball. With their bowling performance, Afghanistan also sent out a warning to the rest of the teams in the group as well.
SCOTLAND COLLAPSE
Scotland had started off well and were 28/0 after three overs when Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled Kyle Coetzer for 10 and then scalped Calum Macleod for a golden duck.
Although, he missed a hat-trick, Mujeeb sent Richard Berrington packing with an in-dipper that caught him leg before wicket. Scotland had collapsed to 28/3 in four overs.
Matthew Cross was caught behind off Naveen ul Haq off the first ball as Scotland were all in sorts of trouble at 30/4. It was 36/5 when Munsey departed for a breezy 25 as Mujeeb castled him after being hit for a six.
Mujeeb’s fifth wicket was Mark Watt who was bowed as well as Scotland were hanging by the thread at 45/7.
Chris Greaves, Scotland’s hero in their famous win against Bangladesh, was lbw to Rashid Khan as the Scotland chase was almost over.
AFGHANISTAN OFF TO FLYER
Afghanistan were off to a flyer as the openers Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad went on the offensive against Scotland in the powerplay.
The Afghans scored at almost ten runs an over making full use of the fielding restrictions to take Brad Wheal and Michael Leask to the cleaners.
Zazai slammed three sixes and as many boundaries while Shahzad belted couple of boundaries and a six to take Afghanistan to a position of great strength.
The duo put on a 54-run opening partnership before Shahzad was caught by Greaves at deep mid-wicket off Sharif’s bowling for 22.
Zazai was out for 44 bowled by Watt as Scotland looked to make a comeback.
However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46, 37b 1×4 4×6) and Najibullah Zadran (59, 34b, 5×4, 3×6) smashed the Scots all over the park to power Afghanistan to a formidable 190/4 in 20 overs.
