Afghanistan beat Namibia as Asghar ends on high

Asghar Afghan, the former Afghanistan captain, was given a fitting farewell in the form of a resounding victory over Namibia by 62 runs in the T20 World Cup at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

A stalwart in Afghanistan cricket, Asghar – playing in his 75th T20I – received a guard of honour from the Namibian players when he walked out to bat, and again from his teammates when he returned after scoring a brisk 23-ball 31 with three fours and a six.

“I want to give chance to youngsters and I think this is a good opportunity for that,” an emotional Asghar said during the innings break. “Most people are asking me why now but it’s something I cannot explain. In the last match [loss to Pakistan], we were hurt too much, and that’s why I decided to retire.

“I have plenty of good memories, it’s difficult for me, but I have to leave.”

Asghar, 33, made his international debut against Scotland in a 50-over World Cup qualifier in 2009.

He was Afghanistan’s captain in their inaugural Test match versus India in Bengaluru in 2018 and played six Tests, scoring 440 runs at 44.00. He scored 2,424 ODI runs in 114 games at an average of 24.73. Afghanistan posted 160-5 after openers Hazratullah Zazai (33) and Mohammad Shahzad (45) shared a brisk 53-run stand. Captain Mohammad Nabi produced a little cameo of 32 from 17 balls.

Naveen ul Haq gave Afghanistan the perfect start by taking two in two overs before Gulbadin Naib struck in his third delivery to leave Namibia 29-3 in the sixth over. Naveen and Hamid Hassan returned with three wickets each and Gulbadin bagged two as Namibia ended on 98-9.

Naveen, named as man of the match, said: “I made my debut under his captaincy, so I want to dedicate this award to him.”