Khan keeps Afghans alive

AFGHANISTAN recovered from a top-order collapse to defeat UAE by five wickets in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Super Sixes clash at Old Hararians yesterday and maintain their slim chances of qualifying for the main event next year.

The Afghans still require others results to go their way and must then defeat Ireland in the final Super Sixes match on Friday to secure their qualification, but at 54/5 in pursuit of 178 it looked as though all hope was lost.

Mohammad Shahzad continued his disappointing tournament, as the keeper-batsman was trapped lbw by Qadeer Ahmed in the second over for just 3, and when the dangerous Rahmat Shah (16) was castled by Mohammad Naveed to leave the score 36/2, Afghanistan looked visibly rattled.

Worse was yet to come as Naveed dismissed Samiullah Shenwari lbw three balls later and the returning captain Asghar Stanikzai had a wild swing at a short delivery from Ahmed and only succeeded in top-edging behind.

The loss of the experienced Mohammad Nabi, caught behind for 6 off the bowling of Ahmed Raza, left Afghanistan five wickets down in the 16th over and teetering on the verge of an ignominious exit. It took a superb sixthwicket partnership between opener Gulbadin Naib (74* off 97) and Najibullah Zadran (63* off 64) to get the run chase back on course, initially playing cautiously before opening up to play their shots. Gulbadin played the anchor role perfectly, surviving the early chaos and hitting four fours and two sixes in his innings, as Najibullah motored Afghanistan towards their target. - ICC