Afghan qualify for ICC World Cup
RAZA APOLOGISES TO THE NATION
ZIMBABWE’S most consistent performer in the doomed 2019 International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier, Sikandar Raza, has apologised to the nation for their failure to qualify for the finals after suffering a painful three-run defeat to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
The Chevrons were knocked out on the Duckworth/Lewis method in the rain affected match at Harare Sports Club to leave the entire nation in total disbelief
Zimbabwe were left to chase a revised target of 230 runs in 40 overs but it was not to be and yesterday, Raza took to his official Twitter account to apologise to his fellow countrymen, describing the loss as a bitter pill to swallow.
“One of the ‘toughest’ pills to swallow for all of us together and the tears we shed yesterday describes the pain we all felt for everyone and for those who supported us,” twitted Raza.
He said the fans and indeed their families deserved much better than they gave on Thursday.
“Our fans and families and friends deserved better and all I can say is that we are truly very sorry,” said Raza.
West Indies and Afghanistan made it through to the finals leaving the Chevrons to fight for another day in future qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean batsman Sean Williams, together with United Arab Emirates captain Rohan Mustafa have both been fined 15 percent of their match fees for breaching Level one of the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct during their Thursday’s Super Six match in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
According to the world cricket governing body, Mustafa was found to have breached Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an International Match”, while Williams was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.4, which deals with “using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match”.
In addition to this, one demerit point each has been added to the disciplinary records of the two players.
The incident happened on the final ball of the 37th over when the two players exchanged inappropriate language after Rohan dismissed Williams. The left hander made a run a ball 80 but his dismissal saw Zimbabwe suffer an embarrassing three-run defeat to UAE and ended their hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
Both the players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by David Jukes and as such there was no need for a formal hearing.
The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Gregory Brathwaite, third umpire Joel Wilson and fourth umpire Simon Fry. Sikhumbuzo Moyo/Mehluli Sibanda — @ skhumoyo2000, @Mdawini_29
Afghanistan 213-5 (Shahzad 54, Naib 45, Singh 3/30) beat Ireland 209-7 (Stirling 55, K O’Brien 41, Khan 3/40, Zadran 2/54) by
five wickets AFGHANISTAN completed an extraordinary comeback to qualify for the 2019 International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup when they defeated Ireland by five wickets with four balls to spare in a closely fought Qualifier Super Six contest at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The Afghans will take on West Indies in the final at Harare Sports Club on Sunday in what would be a mere formality with both teams already guaranteed a spot in next year’s Cricket World Cup to be hosted by England and Wales.
It was no surprise at the end of it all with the teams that came into the tournament as favourites the ones that have qualified.
A team which looked dead and buried in Bulawayo after losses to Scotland, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong in the group stage, the Afghans have Nepal to thank for ensuring they sneaked through to the Super Six. It was Nepal who beat Hong Kong by five wickets at Bulawayo Athletic Club to send Afghanistan to the crucial phase of the tournament.
Yesterday, leg spinner Rashid Khan picked up three wickets for 40 in overs, to move closer to 100 One Day International wickets with Ireland restricted to 209 in 50 overs. Opener Paul Stirling top scored with 55 before he was run out while Kevin O’Brien contributed 41 batting at number six.
In their run chase, Afghanistan were given a brilliant platform by man of the match, opener Mohammad Shahzad who struck 54 off 50 balls with six fours and two sixes. Fellow opening batsman Gulbadin Naib was second best with 45 while skipper Asghar Stanikzai was there at the end with an unbeaten 39 from 24 deliveries to take his team to England and Wales next year. — @Mdawini_29