Afghans hand Windies first defeat

AFGHANISTAN kept their hopes alive for a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 when they defeated the Windes by three wickets in a match of fluctuating fortunes at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Defending champions Scotland went to the top of the Super Six points table by defeating the United Arab Emirates by 73 runs in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Bulawayo.

Mohammad Nabi became the first Afghanistan bowler to reach the 100-wicket milestone as the Asian side pinned the two-time former world champions against their four-pronged spin attack to restrict them to 197 for eight in 50 overs.

They then recovered from 17 for two to 83 for three and finally 190 for seven before achieving the target for the loss of seven wickets with 14 balls to spare.

Captain Jason Holder was the pick of his side’s bowlers when he finished with three for 39 and in the process, became the fifth Windies all-rounder and 64th overall to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs.At the Queens Sports Club, a career-best 114 by opener Matthew Cross and his 161-run second wicket partnership with Calum MacLeod (78) was the cornerstone of Scotland’s 73 runs victory over the UAE. Yesterday’s Super Six results mean Scotland have leapfrogged the Windies into the top position with five points with matches against Ireland and the Windies remaining, while the Windies have stayed on four points with their upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and Scotland. — zimcricket.