DHAKA: Afghanistan have progressed into the Super Ten round of ICC T20 World Cup by beating full member Zimbabwe by 59-run in the 9th Match of first round Group B at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur of India on Saturday (March 12).

Earlier, Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai won the toss and elected to bat first in the 9th Match of first round Group B.

Afghans scored 186-run losing six wickets from their allocated 20-over in the must win match.

Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari and Mohammad Shahzad hit 52 off 32 balls, 43 off 37 balls and 40 off 23 balls respectively helping Afghanistan reach the challenging total.

This was Afghanistan’s best total in a World T20.

Of the Zimbabwe bowlers, T Panyangara picked up three wickets while SC Williams and DT Tiripano took one wicket each.

In response, Zimbabwe could muster only 127-run losing all wickets in 19.4-over. Six of their batsmen reached double figures and none made it to 20’s with T Panyangara hitting the best score, 17-run.

Menacingly disciplined bowling by the Afghans made the task harder for Zimbabwe batsmen.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan picked up three wickets giving away only 11-run from his four over while Hamid Hassan took two wickets.

Besides, D Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Stanikzai took one wicket each.

Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi was adjudged the player of the match.

BDST: 1930 HRS, MAR 12, 2016
SR/RR