Afghanistan VS Namibia Match Played at Abu Jayed Stadium Sarjah on 31 October 2021 
Afghanistan 160/5 (Mohammad Shehzad 45, Hazratullah Zazai 33, Mohammad Nabi 32*, Asghar Afghan 31, Jan Nicol Loftie Eaton 2/21, Ruben Trumplemann 2/34) 
Namibia 98/9 (David Weise 26, Hamid Hasan 3/9, Naven Ul Haq 3/20) 
Afghanistan Won by 82 Runs 
Player of The Match: Naveen ul Haq 

Afghanistan won big against associate member qualifier Namibia by 62 runs. They have now 4 points from three matches. Batting first Afghanistan scored impressive 160/5. Against top quality Afghanistan bowling attack Namibia could score only 98/9. 

Placed in a strong group alongside India, New Zealand Afghanistan dreams for a semifinal berth keeps growing. Their big wins against Scotland and Namibia placed them at second position just behind leader of the pack Pakistan. They need winning one of their two remaining matches against India and New Zealand for an almost assured semifinal. If that happens, it will be dream coming true for Afghan people now in great uncertainties for recent geopolitical developments. 

Of the three teams those played against Pakistan so far only Afghans proved a bit competitive. From that point of view and from the self-determination, confidence and raw quality of Afghanistan team it may be said India and New Zealand would not find it easy winning against Afghanistan. They have fair opportunities for qualifying from the group alongside Pakistan.

Namibia is another team that impressed cricket analysts in its first appearance. After qualifying from the group at the expense of Ireland and Netherlands they shocked Scotland. They created some challenges for Afghanistan as well. But the fire power of Afghanistan especially those of Shehzad (45), Zazai (33), Nabi (32*) and Asghar (31) subdued exuberance of Namibia as they posted 160/5. The most successful Afghan Captain Asghar Afghan chose the match as his swansong. The loss against Pakistan from a seemingly winning position was too much to digest for him. He was given great send off by the teammates. 

[photo collected]

Mystery spinner Mujeeb was rested and was replaced by senior professional Hamid Hasan. Rashid, Nabi were not required much on the day to deliver. Hamid (3/9) and Naveen (3/20) proved too hot to handle as Namibia could manage only 98/9. Afghanistan won big by 62 runs. 

India losing later on the night to New Zealand compounded their crisis. Afghanistan now need winning either against New Zealand or India to progress further. Difficult but not impossible.

BDST: 1320 HRS, NOV 01, 2021
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