India scored a comprehensive seven-wicket win against debutants Afghanistan in their opening ICC World T20 match at Gros Islet (St Lucia).
Chasing a modest total of 116, the champions of the 2007 T20 WC reached home with more than 5 overs to spare.
A 55-run third wicket stand between Murali Vijay (48) and Yuvraj Singh (23 not out) ensured the Indian team went about their business in a clinical manner.
Vijay's 46-ball knock included two 4s & 3 6s. He went down trying to hit another one to boundary. Yuvraj remained unbeaten on an almost run-a-ball knock.
When Vijay was dismissed by Hamid Hassan, India needed just 15 more runs. In came captain MS Dhoni (15*) and he ensured an early end, smashing successive sixes off his Afghanistan counterpart Nowroz Mangal.
Earlier, a calculated half century by Noor Ali Zadran helped Afghanistan to a respectable total of 115.
Noor Ali's 48-ball 50, inclusive of four hits to the fence, was the most signnificant contribution in the Afghan innings with the batsman playing the sheet anchor's role to perfection. His 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Asghar Stanikzai (30) was the highlight of the innings. Stanikzai's 33-ball innings included 3 sixes.
Ashish Nehra was the most successful bowler for India with figures of three for 19. He was named Man of the match for his performance. The left-armer gave India a perfect start when he had Karim Sadiq (0) caught by MS Dhoni in the second over of innings.
Afghanistan's measured and technically correct approach earned them accolades from Indian captain. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was full of praise for Afghanistan, who put up an impressive performance in their maiden World Twenty20 match.
“I am happy to see this side. They are a good team. After losing wickets early, they played well. Their middle order batting looks strong.”
“They were not letting anything go. I am sure they will improve from here,” Dhoni said.
It is that kind of fairy tale which puts minnows Afghans name before mighty Indians. However, India will surely be eyeing to register a big win when they meet the new outfit in the World of Cricket.
India is surely the better team going into this match but Afghanistan has also shown a great progress in the International circuit. The Cricket Federation of Afghanistan was formed in 1995 and they became an affiliate member of ICC in 2001 followed by the member of Asian Cricket Council in 2003. They have already won many trophies that includes the likes of ACC Trophy, 2010, ACC Twenty20 Cup, 2009, ICC Twenty20 Cup Qualifier, Middle East Cup, World Cricket League and the defeated Canada by chasing down 494 runs in the Intercontinental Cup.
Afghanistan will be heavily depended on their Captain Nowraz Mangal who is being rated highly by his domestic circuit peers in Pakistan. Wicket Keeper Mohammad Shahzad who scored a brilliant double century against Canada in the Intercontinental Cup that helped them to reach their winning mark. The likes of Shabir Noori and Mohammad Nabi will also be very important to their team. Nabi is an all-rounder and his team will surely be boosted by his inclusion.
In the bowling department Hamid Hassan and Dawlat Ahmadzai will also play an important role.
India needs no introduction as we all know what they are capable of doing to their opponents. Murli Vijay, the new face who will probably play today had a grreat run in this year’s IPL. Gambhir and the top order will surely provide a good start for them and I expect to see some big hitting from Yusuf Pathan today.
Surely, at this point more words are written for Afghans than for the Indians.
Afghanistan's ICC Twenty20 World Cup-bound cricketers, currently in the UAE to play practice matches against the UAE national team and train at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, were unable to fly out to the West Indies due to air traffic disruptions on account of the volcanic ash in Europe.
"Afghanistan was scheduled to fly to West Indies through London but could not leave as their flight got cancelled due to volcanic ash disruption of flights to Europe. They will now extend their stay and continue to practice at the Sharjah Stadium," Mazhar Khan, the secretary of the Sharjah Cricket Council, told Gulf News.
"Afghanistan played three friendly matches against UAE. They won one match and lost two and had daily practice at the stadium since their return from Kuwait after winning the ACC Elite Trophy," added Khan.
Afghanistan is scheduled to play a practice match at Providence against the hosts on April 27 followed by a match against Ireland the next day. The team will then move to St Lucia to take on India in their first match of the World Cup.
The first friendly against the UAE saw the hosts posting 135 for 8 before Afghanistan were restricted to 114. In the second match, Afghanistan beat UAE by 59 runs. The third match saw UAE chasing down Afghanistan's total of 146 for 6 with two balls to spare.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
2:56 AM
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West Indies’ International Cricket Council World Twenty20 Championship Group D opponents Ireland, are one of two international teams that will make Trinidad and Tobago their base for preparation ahead of the tournament which bowls off on April 30.
Afghanistan are the other team that will be in T&T and both are scheduled to be in action at Queen’s Park Oval during the local Carib Shield Twenty20 tournament quarter-final matches from April 20-23.
Ireland, who will be coached by former T&T and West Indies cricketer Phil Simmons, join the regional team and England in Group D, while Afghanistan join South Africa and India in Group C.
West Indies face Ireland in their opening match of the ICC T20 competition on April 30 in Guyana, while Afghanistan take on India in their first match on May 1 in St Lucia.
This will be Ireland’s second stint in T&T before a major tournament, following their stay here ahead of the ICC World Cup in 2007 when they reached the second round of the competition and finished second in Group D which also included West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
This will be Afghanistan’s first appearance in a global tournament and they will be confident following their qualification campaign which culminated in them chasing down 494 to beat Canada in the Intercontinental Cup qualifier.
Both teams arrive in Trinidad next weekend.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
7:33 AM
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Afghanistan has qualified for ICC T20 World Cup to be held in West Indies in Apr-May 2010. This will be first appearance for war torn country in World cup in any form of cricket.
Afghanistan qualified by making to the final of ICC T20 qualifier held earlier this year in Dubai. They eventually emerged as champions by defeating Ireland in the final.
Squad:
Nawroz Mangal (captain), Mohammad Nabi, Karim Sadiq, Mirwais Ashraf, Rais Ahmadzai, Dawlat Ahmadzai, Mohammad Shahzad, Hamid Hassan, Samiullah Shinwari, Noor Ali, Asghar Stanikzai, Shahpoor Zadran, Shabir Noori, Sayed Nasrat, Shafiq Shafaq.
