Afghanistan defeat Oman, back in hunt

dubai — Pre-event favourites Afghanistan stormed back into the picture with a close three-wicket victory over tough Oman in the qualifying rounds just prior to the Asia Cup T20 tourney in Fatullah, Bangladesh, on Saturday.

Dawlat Zadran (12 n.o.) banged two consecutive 6s in the final over bowled by Oman’s Ajay Lalcheta to see the mountain men reach safely on 168-7 in 19.3 overs. Oman had scored 165-4 in 20 overs in the first innings.

With 21 needed off the last two overs, Samiullah Shenwari (12), hit two successive fours to ease the pressure, taking the game into the final over with 10 needed. After having nearly taken them home, Shenwari holed out to long-on with five balls to play. The scene was set for Dawlat to be the day’s saviour for Afghanistan.

For Oman, after their close opening win over Hong Kong on Friday, the reversal against the Afghans was a setback to their qualifying chances where a single team (winner) will progress to the Cup proper.

Openers Zeeshan Maqsood (52) and Jatinder Singh (23) gave the Oman side a fine beginning and Adnan Ilyas hit a 27-ball 54 comprising three fours and four sixes to add more meat to the total. Medium-pacer Gulbadin Naib was the most economical, picking two wickets for 24 runs off his full quota of four overs.

Afghanistan started shakily again for the second day after their first match loss to the UAE on Friday when the usually reliable Mohammad Shahzad fell in the second but Noor Ali (63), and his second wicket stand of 54 off just 4.4 overs with skipper Asghar Stanikzai (34) helped the Afghan chase to a great extend.

Stanikzai and Karim Sadiq fell later, as medium pacer Mehran Khan (3-18) sent Afghanistan to a shaky 60-3. After Mohammad Nabi’s exit Afghanistan looked in deeper trouble.

Najibullah Zadran (23) set about repairing the innings, with a 23-ball stay to make sure that no further inroads were made by Oman.